Harmala
From Free net encyclopedia
Harmala, also known at various times as Telepathine and Banisterine, is a blanket term for a group of naturally occurring beta-carbolines including harmine, harmaline, and others. The harmala alkaloids are monoamine oxidase inhibitors. They also act as serotonin antagonists and CNS stimulants.
Harmala is found most commonly in the seeds of the Middle Eastern plant Harmal (Peganum harmala, from which the name derives), commonly known as Syrian Rue. It occurs in the seeds in concentrations of roughly 3%, though tests have documented anywhere from 2-7% as natural sources tend to vary widely in chemical makeup. It is also found in the vine Banisteriopsis caapi in lower concentrations of around .3-1.2%. In Caapi, it is used in combination with a DMT containing admixture to form a South American Entheogen known as Ayahuasca; in high enough doses, it is slightly hallucinogenic on its own.
Harmala alkaloids are also found in many other plants, such as tobacco and passion flower.
Contents |
Telepathine
Telepathine was originally thought to be the active chemical constituent of Banisteriopsis caapi. It was named this because of its reported effects among the indegenous users of the Amazon jungle, including: collective contact with and/or visions of jaguars, snakes, and jeweled birds, and ancestral spirits; the ability to see future events; and as the name suggests, telepathic communication among tribal members. It was assumed to be a newly discovered chemical, the active compound of B. caapi; however, it was soon realized that Telepathine was already more widely known as Harmine from its previous discovery in Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala).
Uses
As mentioned above, harmala is used as an MAOI (MonoAmine Oxidase Inhibitor) to facilitate the oral ingestion of DMT and other tryptamines, or to enhance the effect of psychedelic mushrooms; it is also hallucinogenic on its own. In high doses, it acts a sedative. Harmine has been used effectively to alleviate the tremors that come with Parkinson's disease.
Chemical Forms
- Harmine: C13H12N2O
- 7-Methoxy-1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole
- Harmaline: C13H14N2O
- 4,9-Dihydro-7-methoxy-1-methyl-3H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole
- Tetrahydroharmine: C13H16N2O4P
- 7-Methoxy-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-Harmine
- Harmine acid: methylester:
- Methyl-7-methoxy-b-carboline-1-carboxylate
- Harmilinic acid:
- 7-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-b-carboline1-carboxylic acid
- Harmanamide:
- 1-carbamoyl-7-methoxy-b-carboline
- Acethylnorharnine:
- 1-acethyl-7-methoxy-b-carboline
See also
- Beta-carboline
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Time Machines (album by the band coil featuring a track dedicated to "telepathine", in addition to psilocybin, 5-MeO-DMT, and DOET.