What is Yopo and what are the expected effects?

Yopo is a potent hallucinogenic “snuff”; a snuff of plants that can make you trip a lot. Shamans and peoples of South America have used it for many centuries in certain rituals and to open the third eye. Sounds like something for you? Then quickly read on about this fascinating awareness enhancer and try it for yourself!

Yopo, also known as Anadenanthera Peregrina, is a plant that grows mainly in parts of South America, such as Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. The seeds of this plant have been used for centuries by indigenous tribes for spiritual and healing purposes. In fact, these seeds contain varying compositions of different trippy ingredients, such as DMT, bufotenine and 5-MeO-DMT.

Traditional uses of yopo

Yopo has been used for thousands of years by indigenous tribes in South America. Its use is deeply rooted in their cultural and spiritual practices. It is estimated that some 55 tribes in this region are well acquainted with it. These spiritual seeds enable users to see things that cannot be experienced sober. Also, the seeds are said to contain healing powers.

The seeds of the yopo plant are harvested and then ground into a fine powder. Then this powder is administered through the nose. This is done with a pipe called a Kuripe . With this, the shaman blows the Yopo into the nostrils of the person going on the spiritual journey, and then the effects of Yopo will quickly occur. With that Kuripe, by the way, you can also use rapé, which is another interesting snuff from the Amazon. Read all about rapé, or snuff, here.

So what exactly are the effects of Yopo and what all can you experience on that “spiritual journey”? Brace yourself, because you will be able to experience all kinds of things! These are the effects you can expect:

• a 45-60 minute trip
• visuals and change of consciousness
• sense of connection with nature and the universe
• effects resemble LSD and (especially) DMT – but less intense

The effects of Yopo can vary greatly between individuals. The final effect depends mainly on the dose, of course. But individual sensitivity or tolerance and the environment and setting in which you take it also matter.

This is how to use Yopo

So how do you use Yopo properly and, most importantly, safely? Below we explain it to you.

Preparation

1. Toast 1 to 3 Yopo seeds in a skillet until they burst open.
2. Remove the skin from the seeds and continue roasting the insides until crispy.
3. Grind the dried kernels into a fine powder.
4. Add the powder together with lime and baking powder. Keep the proportions of 2 parts Yopo powder and 1 part lime and 1 part baking powder.
5. Add a few drops of water and mix into a thick paste
6. Heat the paste until it dries.
7. Grind this paste back into dry material, such as with a mortar or coffee grinder.

Hoewel Yopo over het algemeen als veilig wordt beschouwd, zijn er net als bij elk (trip)middel risico’s verbonden aan het gebruik ervan. Ten eerste kan het innemen van grote hoeveelheden leiden tot intense en overweldigende effecten en daarmee angst. Let dus goed op de dosering. Beter te weinig zodat je kunt bijnemen, dan te veel.

Daarnaast kan het gebruik van Yopo gepaard gaan met fysieke bijwerkingen zoals misselijkheid, braken en darmklachten. Deze bijwerkingen zijn meestal mild en van korte duur, en treden voornamelijk op bij oraal gebruik. Daarom raden we aan om de traditionele toedieningswijze te respecteren: via je neus!

Vind je het spannend om Yopo te gebruiken, vraag dan zeker iemand die je vertrouwt om erbij te blijven. Zorg ervoor dat diegene nuchter is en blijft, en weet wat ‘ie moet doen wanneer jouw ervaring tegenvalt.

Gebruik je bepaalde medicijnen, zoek dan even uit of het voor jou veilig is om Yopo te gebruiken. Alcohol en MAO-remmers zijn bijvoorbeeld geen slimme combinatie.