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Safer Non-MAOI Potentiators(Alternatives) To Banisteriopsis caapi
Non-MAOI Alternatives To Harmala Producing MAOI Ethnobotanicals
Ezekiel 47:12 "And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine."
Introduction: Note: I feel guilty for mentioning Banisteriopsis caapi on here so much without putting up adequate warnings. MAOI's like Banisteriopsis caapi are only safe if you're not taking any prescription medications.[1] If you combine them with certain foods like dairy, turkey and other meats, they can give you a long lasting nasty headache.[1] They're only suitable for 1-4 times per month in my opinion, and it's a fact that they're only suitable if used during a fast(deliberate abstinance from food and drugs). In this blog I am going to cover a bit about the complex phytochemicals produced by commonly consumed foods and how they can stimulate digestion of other substances. Phytochemicals are complex medicines produced by plants, including herbal supplements and food.[9][10][11][12]
Black pepper: Black pepper produces a phytochemical called Piperine.[2] This phytochemical(Piperine) aids in the absorption of other drugs, alkaloids, nutrients, etc.[2] It basically helps you body get the most out of your meal or whatever is sitting in your belly with it.[2] Here is an exact quote to prove this fact, according to the National Library Of Medicine, "Piperine was found to increase bioavailability of different drugs ranging from 30% to 200%."[2] It's something that can allow you to avoid MAOI's like Banisteriopsis caapi all together, as they are not practical on a daily basis due to the fact that you have to fast first and can't combine it with certain foods and pharmaceuticals. Piperine is produced by the black pepper plant..[3] These facts really prove to us the importance of using high quality spices and herbs when cooking, because it makes or breaks their benefit to your body. The next time you add some black pepper to your meal, remember that your body will absorb more from that food because of the black pepper and its piperine content.
Ginger root: Ginger aids in digestion.[4] How does this work? Zingiber officinale (Ginger) Enhances gastrointestinal motility, inhibits CYP enzymes, improves oral absorption and reduces nausea.[4] It also helps reduce nausea during ayahuasca or psilocybin experiences.[4] This is why I mentioned it on the Hawaiian Baby Woodrose page, where I share a harm reduction tek that I used to use back in the day when I was into psychedelics. Ginger is a great potentiator and is very easy to grow as well. Adding Ginger to homemade tinctures produced using everclear is always a good idea, and it is a much better alternative than using MAOI's like Banisteriopsis caapi.
Onions: Prebiotics are found in onions.[5] Prebiotics act as nutrition for gut bacteria, helping them to flourish.[6] "Probiotics have been studied in human clinical trials and have been shown to help your immune system function properly, reduce digestive symptoms and side effects of antibiotics, improve lactose intolerance and decrease the severity of some common infections."[5] So how do prebiotics and probiotics relate? Prebiotics are sort of like fuel for probiotics, or as the National Library of Medicine puts it: "Prebiotics are compounds that cannot be digested by the host, but can be used and fermented by probiotics, so as to promote the reproduction and metabolism of intestinal probiotics for the health of body."[7] How does all of this relate to the better absorption of substances produced by plants? "The intestinal tract, which has been described as the second brain of the human body, plays an important role in health. The intestinal flora interacts with the human body, helping the body to digest and absorb nutrients from food, metabolize toxic waste produced in the intestine, and produce functional substances necessary for life, such as amino acids, vitamins, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and other substances"[7] There you have it, taking care of your gut health will ensure that you absorb more of the good stuff from whatevr it is you're putting into your belly, be it Cannabis, food, or other medicine.
Crushed Red Pepper: I noticed this way before digging to find academic data to confirm it. Just as the Native Americans and Shamans learned through consumption and observation, I too noticed a long time ago that red pepper and spicey foods in general, for sure enhance a Cannabis high. They help your body absorb and get more out of other substances like THC. Here's a quote from Rochester University Medical Center: "When taken by mouth, cayenne pepper may also aid in digestion and improve circulation"[8]
Related Ethnobotanical Blogs: Cilantro And Amalgam Illness, Pineal Gland Health, Health Benefits Of Chocolate(Cacao), Cinnamon, Coconut, Raspberries, Strawberries
Academic citations:
[1] Clinically Relevant Drug Interactions with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9680847/ https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.39576 PMCID: PMC9680847 PMID: 36425231
[2] Bioavailability enhancers of herbal origin: An overview PMCID: PMC3634921 PMID: 23620848 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3634921/ https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60060-X
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/piperine
[4] Mao, Qian-Qian, et al. "Bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)." Foods 8.6 (2019): 185. [ https://doi.org/10.3390/foods8060185 ]
[5] https://www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/probiotics-and-prebiotics-hype-or-health
[6] https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/prebiotics-understanding-their-role-in-gut-health
[7] The promotion mechanism of prebiotics for probiotics: A review https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9581195/ https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.1000517 PMCID: PMC9581195 PMID: 36276830
[8] https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/Content?contentTypeID=19&ContentID=Cayenne
[12] https://www.nal.usda.gov/human-nutrition-and-food-safety/food-composition/phytonutrients
[9] Balick, Michael J., and Paul Alan Cox. Plants, People, and Culture : The Science Of Ethnobotany. New York, Garland Science, 2020.
[10] Swerdlow, Joel L. Nature's Medicine : Plants That Heal. Washington, D.c., National Geographic Society, 2000.
[11] Tyler, Varro E, et al. Pharmacognosy. 1988.
Encyclopedia Sources:
Other resources:
M.A.P.S. Ethnobotanical Studies By Scholars
National Library Of Medicine https://www.nlm.nih.gov/
PubChem - pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov