The Use of Yopo: Traditional Practices and Psychoactive Components

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Entheogenic Uses of Yopo
    • Snuff
    • Oral Use
    • Use with MAOIs
  3. Psychoactive Components
    • Bufotenin
    • DMT and 5-MeO-DMT
  4. Legal Status of Yopo
    • Australia

Introduction

Yopo, scientifically known as Anadenanthera peregrina, is a psychoactive plant that has been used for centuries by indigenous South American tribes. It is primarily known for its hallucinogenic properties, which have made it an important tool in religious, spiritual, and healing rituals. The plant contains several psychoactive compounds, including bufotenin, DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT, which contribute to its potent effects. Yopo is typically consumed in the form of snuff, but can also be ingested orally or used in combination with other plants.

Entheogenic Uses of Yopo

Snuff

One of the most common ways to consume Yopo is through the practice of snuffing. The powder, derived from the beans of Anadenanthera peregrina, is either blown into the user's nostrils or snorted directly by the user using specialized tubes. In many cultures, the snuffing process is performed by another person, who blows the powder into the user's nose through bamboo tubes. This method is preferred as it allows for a more substantial amount of powder to be inhaled, which is said to be less irritating to the nostrils than self-administered snuffing using bird bone tubes.

In certain areas, the unprocessed ground beans are directly snuffed or smoked. This produces a weaker effect compared to the snuffing method but is accompanied by stronger physical symptoms. While inhaling Yopo can cause intense pain in the nostrils, this discomfort typically subsides within a few minutes. The physical effects of snuffing Yopo include tingling and numbness throughout the body, as well as an increased heart rate. Shortly after the initial physical effects, users begin to experience the hallucinatory aspects of the drug, such as enhanced colors and morphing shapes. However, these effects intensify quickly and gradually fade, often being replaced by nausea and general bodily discomfort.

Oral Use

In some South American tribes, Yopo is consumed orally, typically in combination with alcoholic beverages like chicha (a fermented maize beer). When taken in moderate doses, Yopo can induce unpleasant symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. Despite its challenging effects, the beans are an essential ingredient in bilca tauri, an oral purgative medicine traditionally used in rituals. This medicine is intended to induce ritual vomiting on a monthly basis, which is believed to have spiritual or healing benefits.

Oral consumption of Yopo in large amounts is generally avoided by most tribes due to the associated dangers. Many indigenous people believe that ingesting the beans orally is too risky, and it is typically reserved for specific ritual contexts.

Use with MAOIs

Some South American tribes have been known to combine Yopo beans with Banisteriopsis caapi, an herb containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The use of MAOIs enhances the effects of Yopo, and in some traditions, the Banisteriopsis caapi is chewed while the Yopo beans are either snuffed or smoked. Occasionally, the two substances are mixed together in the same snuff.

Moderate amounts of Banisteriopsis caapi can significantly amplify the potency of Yopo, with some reports indicating that it can double the strength of the effects. However, larger quantities of Banisteriopsis caapi can alter the nature of the experience, making it more relaxed and dreamy. In some cases, this combination may also increase nausea, which can be an unpleasant side effect.

Psychoactive Components

Bufotenin

Yopo beans are primarily known for containing bufotenin, a powerful hallucinogen. Bufotenin makes up to 7.4% of the content of Yopo beans, which means that an effective dose for insufflation can be achieved with as little as 0.5 grams of beans. At this concentration, a 40 mg dose of bufotenin can be delivered from just 0.5 grams of the powder.

DMT and 5-MeO-DMT

In addition to bufotenin, Yopo beans also contain trace amounts of DMT and 5-MeO-DMT, two other powerful psychoactive substances. The beans have been found to contain 0.16% DMT and 0.04% 5-MeO-DMT. While these compounds do have psychoactive properties, they are present in such low quantities that they likely play only a minor role in the overall effects of Yopo. For both DMT and 5-MeO-DMT to reach psychoactive levels, a much larger amount of the beans would need to be consumed, which is impractical for typical use.

The primary hallucinogenic effects of Yopo are therefore attributed to bufotenin, particularly when it is insufflated or smoked. The effects of DMT and 5-MeO-DMT are relatively short-lasting, typically lasting around 10 minutes when insufflated. In contrast, the effects of orally consumed Yopo can last for 2–3 hours, with bufotenin playing the primary role in these extended effects.

Legal Status of Yopo

Australia

In Australia, the importation of any plant products from Piptadenia peregrina (now Anadenanthera peregrina), including seeds, is prohibited. This regulation was enacted on August 21, 2021, and is classified under the Criminal Code Regulations 2019. The law places these plants in the category of "Serious drugs and precursors" as defined by the Australian Criminal Code Act 1995. The Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code – Schedule 23 also lists certain plants and fungi, including Yopo, as prohibited substances. Consequently, the importation and possession of Yopo are illegal in Australia.