Which Foods To Avoid Before Taking A MAOI
A MonoAmine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI) is half the necessary ingredients in order to create ayahuasca. DMT is the 'active' ingredient which is responsible for expanding your mind — but normally — your body breaks down DMT very quickly. In fact, if you ingest DMT, the molecule will be destroyed before reaching your brain. The MAOI stops the body from breaking down the DMT so quickly, and allows any DMT you ingest to reach the nervous system. After taking an MAOI, you can expect to feel the effects of the DMT for a few hours.
However, there is a danger to taking an MAOI. In particular, it is necessary to avoid foods containing high levels of tyramine — an amino acid that regulates blood pressure.
Below is a list of foods, drinks and medicines to avoid:
🧀 Aged cheese
🥩 Cured meats such as pepperoni and salami
🐟 Aged or smoked fish
🍺 Beer
🇩🇪 Sauerkraut
🥫 Fermented soy products such as soy sauce, and tofu
🥣 Miso soup
🦐 Shrimp paste
🍼 Protein extracts such as whey
🍞 Marmite/ Vegemite
🌱 St. Johns Wort, and other mood altering herbs
💊 Antidepressants, certain pain drugs, certain cold and allergy medications
⚠ The above list is by no means complete. If you are taking any type of medication, please research further.
💉A special note to diabetics: MAOIs may change the amount of insulin or oral antidiabetic medication that you need. Please research further.
In general — it is best to eat only fresh foods prior to your ayahuasca experience from 2 days prior to your experience — and 2 days afterwards as well.
Best of luck on your ayahuasca experience — remember to take a low dose on your first experiment — and I recommend you don't rush into big doses. There is time enough to use this entheogen responsibly.