Has anyone else read the Ayahuasca study by Dr. Callaway in which he extracted the tetrahydroharmine from caapi, gave it to himself for several days, and then did a cat-scan of his brain? He then noticed that his own brain grew new serotonin receptor platelets over those several days--quite remarkable imho.
I have been experimenting with a 'pure alkaloid caapi extract' of 295mg (that contains 135mg tetrahydroharmine, just google the words in quotes), around seven dollars or so, taking it once every couple weeks, and noticed positive changes in my mood, behavior, very improved energy levels, and sleeping patterns, all for the good, and wonder if my own brain has been growing extra serotonin receptors over this time period? A caapi brew or extract seems to impart positive mood and energy benefits for a good 11 hours or so, which is why I take it early in the am once a week to once every 2 weeks, the benefits can be felt the next day as well, quite remarkable anti-depressant properties as well during this 11 hour time frame, but then I've read the half-life of tetrahydroharmine is 660 minutes or so. I typically go walking in nature for 1 to 2 hours about 4 hours after taking a caapi brew or extract, energy levels are great during this time, lasting the entire rest of the day with what seems to me to be not only increased energy, but increased attention to nature during this time, introspection is higher, and very positive mood changes for the rest of the day, lasting until late at night, even felt the next day, like a "reset" button had been pressed in the neural functions of the brain, a very re-freshed and energized feeling.
Corny as it may sound, I've also noticed increased perception of music, sounds, visual activity, & emotional attention during these 11 hours, very similar to when I have used the smart drug oxiracetam in the past, but greater in sensitivity. My problem solving capabilities were greatly increased as well during this period, hands down a very much important but overlooked smart nutrient straight from the Amazon Jungles. I attribute the smart nutirent brain enhancing tools of the extract to the tetrahydroharmine, as the harmine and tiny amounts of harmaline had long ago worn off each time, as their half-life is fairly short, 4 hours as compared to the 11 hours of tetrahydroharmine.
Keep in mind that anyone working with caapi or it's natural ingredients should never combine the brew or extracts with SSRI's, other anti-depressants, any stimulants like cold or cough medicines, amp's, etc. coffee was ok when I used it, as I am a habitual coffee drinker, but anyone new to caffeine should refrain as well, I usually wait about 2 hours after drinking coffee to work with the brew or it's extracts. I don't take any other drugs, only coffee in the morning with a few vitamins.
Apparently, people who drink caapi every 2 weeks in the UDV and Santo Daime Christian based Churches have been interviewed by Dr. Callaway in the mentioned study, (many of them professional people like Doctors and Lawyers)...and many of the members commented on how they were cured of long-lasting alcohol and drug additions for good, even violent behaviors were sub-dued, quite interesting....it seems like many of the ingredients in the brew or extracts have positive smart-nutrient like behaviors, being able to grow entirely new serotonin receptors, abate bad behaviors, and cure drug addictions.
Here is a link to the study where Callaway analyzes his own brain after taking thh extracted from caapi:
https://www.erowid.o..._journal3.shtml
hxxps://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ayahuasca/ayahuasca_journal3.shtml
Edited by sarah20, 18 February 2015 - 03:42 PM.