Harmala Alkaloids and Other Compounds in Traditional Preparations

Interaction and poisoning warning first. Harmala alkaloids block an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO). A 2026 case report describes a man who developed severe serotonin syndrome with respiratory failure, needing a breathing tube and intensive care, after ayahuasca followed by over-the-counter dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine. He recovered. [1] Poisoning with a different harmala-containing plant, Syrian rue, has also caused unconsciousness, high blood pressure and a fast heartbeat. [2] If anyone has severe agitation, fever, muscle rigidity, seizures, confusion or trouble breathing after taking any of these, call 911 (US) or US Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. See poisoning: what to do first. Never stop or change prescribed medicines on your own; talk with the prescriber. This page gives no amounts, preparation or use instructions, and does not help identify plants.

Evidence labels used here: preclinical (cells or animals only), insufficient evidence, evidence of harm, marketing claim. Where we looked and found nothing usable, we write "Proper evidence not found." Each compound below has a different source and action; none stands in for another.

Harmine and harmaline

What they are. Harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine are β-carboline alkaloids found in the ayahuasca vine Banisteriopsis caapi, and the vine has monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity. [3] A review describes β-carbolines as a prominent class of MAO-A inhibitors. [4] The same alkaloids are named in Peganum harmala (Syrian rue), a different plant. [2] Plant names checked in GBIF. [5]

Role in ayahuasca. Ayahuasca is made from two kinds of plants: one rich in DMT, usually Psychotria viridis, and one supplying β-carbolines such as harmine, from the B. caapi vine. [6] MAO-A has the primary role in DMT metabolism. [7] In a single-blind study of 16 healthy volunteers using an ayahuasca-inspired DMT and harmine formulation (not a traditional preparation, and with some authors affiliated with companies), harmine reduced the metabolism of DMT and the authors reported a favorable safety profile. [8] That shows harmine changes how the body handles DMT; it is not a safety guarantee. DMT and ayahuasca are separate topics: see DMT, ayahuasca and Ayahuasca vine.

Research on the isolated alkaloids.

• Depression and anxiety: preclinical. A systematic review found animal studies showing anxiolytic and antidepressive effects of ayahuasca, harmine and harmaline. The human studies it describes involved ayahuasca itself, not isolated alkaloids. [9]


• Parkinson's-type movement: preclinical. In a marmoset model, B. caapi extract and harmine gave mild improvement in motor disability. [3]


• Alzheimer's disease: preclinical. A 2026 review describes accumulating preclinical evidence. [10]


• Human use of isolated harmine as a treatment: insufficient evidence. Proper evidence not found for a clinical efficacy trial in the sources we checked.

Toxicity. A systematic review of 78 articles found ayahuasca or DMT generally safe in controlled settings but with some adverse events. Animal studies at higher doses showed abortifacient and teratogenic effects, and harmaline revealed the most issues in preclinical models. The authors warn animal results may not apply to people. [11] Pregnancy: Proper evidence not found in people; see pregnancy and breastfeeding.

LSA (lysergic acid amide) in seeds

LSA is primarily consumed through preparations from the seeds of Convolvulaceae (morning glory family) plants. A 2025 systematic review of 17 human studies reported euphoria, hallucinations, nausea and anxiety, and documented severe outcomes including psychosis, hypertension and hospitalization. It notes some evidence suggesting possible use for cluster headaches, variable dosing and online misinformation, and concludes LSA poses significant health risks with little scientific study. [12] Label for any benefit: insufficient evidence.

A study of online user reports and medical case reports found recreational use of Ipomoea tricolor and I. violacea seeds had reappeared, with suicidal ideation in two users and frequent combination with other drugs. [13] Those are user and case reports, not controlled studies.

Ololiuqui is the Aztec name for seeds of Turbina corymbosa (now treated as a synonym of Ipomoea corymbosa in GBIF). A Mesoamerica review says they contain lysergic acid amide and were used by Olmec, Zapotec, Maya and Aztec peoples. [14][5] This site does not describe ceremonies. See Indigenous traditions, ethics and conservation and morning glory and other documented plants.

Bufotenine

Bufotenine (5-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a tryptamine. [15] A review of the tree Anadenanthera colubrina says bufotenine was isolated from its seeds and is related to hallucinogenic activity; it says bufotenine could make the seeds toxic, though toxicity was not found in assays of seed extracts. Most medicinal claims for that tree rest on lab and animal tests. [16] A 2025 narrative review also lists bufotenine among animal-derived toxins. [17] A Mesoamerica review says toad skin contains bufotoxins with hallucinogenic properties and was used from the Olmec period. [14] This page does not describe collection or use of any animal. Bufotenine is not 5-MeO-DMT: the US Schedule I list names them as separate entries. [15] 5-MeO-DMT has its own guide: 5-MeO-DMT. Proper evidence not found for human clinical trials of bufotenine.

Regulatory status (not legal advice; laws change)

• US federal, read 2026-10-22: bufotenine is named in the Schedule I list in 21 CFR 1308.11. [15] Lysergic acid and lysergic acid amide are named in the Schedule III list in 21 CFR 1308.13. [18] We did not find harmine or harmaline named in either list.
• United Kingdom, read 2026-10-22: Schedule 2, Part I (Class A) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 names bufotenine and lysergamide. We did not find harmine or harmaline named. [19] We did not check what products or plants that covers.
• Plants and seeds: how law treats the plants (B. caapi, P. harmala, morning glory seeds) was not verified. Other countries and US states: not verified. See legal status by country.