tering the chemistry of the body with hallucinogens. Whether drug induced adventures can be identical with the metaphysical insight claimed by some mystics, or are merely a counterfeit of it, is still controversial. The widespread and expanding use of hallucinogens in our society may have little or no value and may sometimes even be harmful or dangerous. Hallucinogenic plants are used in a variety of ways, depending on the kind of plant material, on the active chemicals involved, on cultural practices, and on other considerations. Man, in primitive societies everywhere, has shown great ingenuity and wisdom in taking advantage of the uses of these plants. Plants may be eaten, smoked, snuffed, drank, rubbed into the skin, and even administered through enemas.Ayahuasca and Caapi are two of many names for a South American vine: Banisteriopsis caapi or B. inebrians. Both are gigantic jungle lionas with tiny pink flowers. A hallucinogenic drink made from the bark of these vises is widely used by Indians in the western Amazon. Other names for the drink are dopa, natema, pinde, and yaje. In Peru and Ecuador, the drink is made by rasping the bark and then boiling it. In Colombia and Brazil, the scraped bark is squeezed in cold water to make the drink. Some tribes add other plants to alter or increase the potency of the drink. In some parts of the Orinocco, the vine is simply chewed. Ayahuasca is popular for it’s “telepathic properties”, for which there is no evidence.The earliest published reports of ayahuasca date from 1858, but in 1851 Richard Spruce, an English explorer, had discovered the plant from which the intoxicating drink was made. Spruce also reported that the peoples along the Orinocco River in Venezuela chewed the dried stem for its effects instead of preparing a drink. The effects of drinking ayahuasca range from a pleasant intoxication with no hangover, to violent reactions with sickening after-ef...
