Ayahuasca

An Amazonian brew that contains DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) which leads to extended psychedelic experiences.
 

Historical Context

For thousands of years, the Amazonian people have consumed ayahuasca as part of religious, healing, and spiritual ceremonies. These ceremonies are often led by shamans who guide the sessions through chants and prayers.
 

Research & Developments

Ayahuasca is being explored for its potential to treat:
  • Psychological trauma
  • Addiction
  • Alzheimer’s disease

DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)

A potent hallucinogen that naturally occurs in several plant species with the most common one being the ayahuasca plant.
 

Historical Context

DMT has been used by South American indigenous communities to gain spiritual insight during shamanic traditional ceremonies. Synthetic DMT was first synthesised by chemist Richard Manske in 1931. DMT was very popular in the 1960s prior to it being banned across most of the world in the 1970s.
 

Research & Developments

DMT is being explored for its potential to treat:
  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder

Ibogaine

Derived from the tabernatnhe iboga baillon plant, ibogaine is a hallucinogenic stimulant.
 

Historical Context

For over 2,000 years, the Gabon people have eaten or drank Ibogaine as part of the Bwiti initiation ceremony. Ibogaine was first synthesised in 1966 and psychiatrists in Chile, and the USA began exploring whether Ibogaine could be used to help addiction.
 

Research & Developments

Ibogaine is being explored for its potential to treat:
  • Substance use disorders
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

A classic hallucinogen that is derived from the fungus ergot, commonly found growing on rye.
 

Historical Context

In the 1930’s Albert Hoffman, a Swiss scientist, accidentally synthesised LSD. He discovered its hallucinatory effects when a drop of LSD touched his skin. In the 1950s, LSD was tested as a treatment for alcohol use disorder. Throughout the 1960s LSD’s popularity increased as a recreational drug.
 

Research & Developments

LSD is being explored for its potential to treat:
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Cluster headaches
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)

A synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant that is often taken in a pill form.
 

Historical Context

MDMA was first synthesised in 1912. In the 1970s, Alexander Shuglin rediscovered MDMA and began exploring the use of the drug in humans in the context of psychological treatment. The 1980s saw the widespread recreational use of MDMA.
 

Research & Developments

MDMA is being explored for its potential to treat:
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Anxiety
  • Eating disorders

Psilocybin

Naturally occurring in the psilocybe genus of mushrooms, it may promote neural plasticity. Psilocybin can induce feelings of euphoria, peacefulness, and spiritual awakening.
 

Historical Context

Psilocybin has been used for thousands of years in religious and spiritual ceremonies for divination, healing, pain relief, and celebrations. In 1958, Albert Hoffman isolated psilocybin from the mushroom P. Mexicana.
 

Research & Developments

Psilocybin is being explored for its potential to treat:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Lyme disease
  • Anorexia
  • Substance use disorder
  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Cancer pain
  • Functional neurological disorder
  • Chronic cluster headache
  • Bipolar disorder