A RARE CASE: AYAHUASCA TEA INTOXICATION

Abstract

Objective: Ayahuasca tea contains N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) found in the leaves of the Psychotria viridis vine and beta-carbolines found in Banisteriopsis caapi. Case Report A 59-year-old man was brought to the emergency department due to hallucinations, agitated behavior, aggression, nausea and vomiting developing 1.5 h after drinking approximately one tea glassful of Ayahuasca tea. Hypertension and mydriasis were determined, while blood, EKG and chest x-ray were normal. Symptomatic treatment was administered, and the patient was discharged following 24-h clinical observation in the emergency department. Discussion: It has been suggested that DMT exhibits anxiolytic effects in low doses, but that hallucinogenic effects emerge when taken in large doses. In order to be effective when taken orally, DMT must be used with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Our case exhibited hallucinations and the majority of the autonomic symptoms associated with DMT use described in the literature. Ayahuasca tea is toxic. Uncontrolled use may even result in mortality. Conclusion: Emergency physicians should consider Ayahuasca tea ingestion in patients presenting to the emergency department with agitation, hypertension, mydriasis and, particularly, hallucination.