What are MAOIs and what should you look out for?

The world of psychedelics is rich and adventurous, which is why some people use multiple substances at once. An example is the use of MAOIs with psychedelics. As a result, MAOIs can enhance the effects of mind-altering drugs. However, this can be very risky. In this blog, we explain exactly what monoamine oxidase inhibitors are and what to watch out for when using them.

Humans are curious creatures and often we keep looking for yet another titillating experience. This can also be the case with psychedelics. Therefore, for as long as drugs have been used, people have been experimenting with combinations to get an even more intense experience. The same thing happens with MAOIs.

Please note that we would not recommend that you combine these drugs with any other drug. It can be very dangerous! Therefore, we want to give you just the information on this that you need to better assess whether an MAOI is something you want or need to use.

MAOs are enzymes found in the membranes of mitochondria (in cells). The abbreviation stands for monoamine oxidase, and MAOIs counteract these enzymes. These drugs are used as sedatives, anxiety suppressants and antidepressants. In recent years, they have been used less frequently and SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) have been chosen.

There are two types of MAOs, MAO-A and MAO-B. Using an MAOI inhibits one or both types of MAOs. MAO-A is the enzyme that causes serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has a positive effect on mood, to be reabsorbed from the blood. MAO-B does this with dopamine and phenylethylamine. Also dopamine is a neurotransmitter, it affects motivation, attention and pleasure.

MAOIs inhibit the enzymes, keeping the levels of both neurotransmitters higher. As a result, these drugs therefore have an effect on your mood, which is why they are used in mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression.

There are medications with MAOIs, as well as plants and herbs that naturally contain these substances. Examples of medications include:

• Selegiline
• Phenelzine
• Isocarboxazide
• Tranylcypromine

These drugs are prescribed by a doctor and are certainly not suitable to be used casually on a trip. They have powerful effects and can cause serious side effects.

So there are also plant-based MAOIs. Examples include:

• Syrian rue: The seeds of this plant contain MAO inhibitors and are also sometimes used in Ayahuasca.
• Grapefruit
• Banisteropsis caapi: the traditional constituent in Ayahuasca that contains MAO inhibitors and helps make DMT available.
• Cocoa: cocoa also acts as a mild MAOI. It was often combined with magic mushrooms by the Aztecs.
• Bobinsana: is often used in conjunction with Rapé.

Plant-based MAOIs, such as Grapefruit and Bobinsana are generally safe to use in combination with mind-altering drugs. Nevertheless, it is advisable to use caution with this as well.

Those who would use MAOIs in combination with psychedelics do so primarily because it would enhance the effects of the drug. But there are risks involved in that too. Psychedelics, such as magic mushrooms , have quite powerful effects on their own. Adding an MAOI to that can change not only the effects, but also the type of trip. Your trip can then become so intense that it turns into a bad trip. So it is wise to realize this before doing so.

Want a violent, intense trip? If so, it may be a better idea to take a higher dose of the drug, rather than combining it with an MAOI.

So that leaves the question: should you use MAOIs in combination with psychedelics or not? That still remains your own choice. As you could read, there can be risks involved. If you want to know even more about this combination, look around the Internet, where you can read extensive trip reports on forums. Then you have some additional information to base your choice on.

In any case, it can give you a very intense trip, and whether that is something for you, you will have to judge for yourself. If you decide to switch to the use of MAOIs, make sure you have prepared well and also arranged for a good, reliable trip sitter.