Because Ayahuasca is a medicine of indigenous traditional use, like any other substance, it has its indications, contraindications, precautions, and warnings. One of the most frequent enquiries is whether someone diagnosed with high blood pressure (arterial hypertension) can participate in an Ayahuasca/Yagé ceremony.
Key takeaways
- Various studies have shown a transient increase in blood pressure values after the ingestion of Ayahuasca, which return to normal ranges after approximately 90 minutes.
- Individuals with uncontrolled (high blood pressure) arterial hypertension are not recommended to take ayahuasca.
- Arterial hypertension may be associated with other serious cardiovascular diseases.
- If you have well-controlled arterial hypertension, are taking medications consistently, and do not have other serious heart-compromising conditions, it may be possible to take Ayahuasca.
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Ayahuasca high blood pressure (Arterial Hypertension)
Does Ayahuasca affect blood pressure?
Various studies have documented changes in blood pressure patterns, with moderate increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure observed, as well as a moderate increase in heart rate meeting criteria for tachycardia, following acute ingestion of Ayahuasca. (1)
Overall, it has been found that ayahuasca can induce moderate increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These increases peak between one hour and one and a half hours after administration, averaging around 10 mmHg. The effects on heart rate are minimal, with increases of about 4-10 beats per minute, also observed around one hour after administration and not reaching statistical significance.(2)
On the other hand, a study conducted in hypertensive rats in 2013, to which ayahuasca was administered in different doses, demonstrated that chronic use did not cause significant changes in blood pressure, systolic and diastolic patterns, and there appeared to be no relevant histopathological changes. (3)
In another study conducted by Dos Santos, Grasa et al., 2012 it was found that despite a significant increase in blood pressure and heart rate values in patients who received an initial dose of Ayahuasca compared to placebo, these increases were transient and lasted between 15 and 30 minutes, and were not replicated after receiving a second dose of Ayahuasca. In fact, they showed decreases in these variables after repeated ayahuasca administration, which the author related to some level of desensitization, decreased signaling, or downregulation of the 5-HT2A receptor. (1)
Must Read Blog: Can Ayahuasca heal your body?
Can Ayahuasca cause high blood pressure?
To date, there is not enough evidence that proves that drinking ayahuasca can produce high blood pressure permanently. Studies have shown that, in healthy individuals, the administration of single doses of ayahuasca within the normal dosage range does not appear to entail a particular cardiovascular risk. (2)
What does occur in some individuals are transient elevations in blood pressure values, which can be measured between 30- and 60-minutes post-ingestion before returning to previous normal values between minutes 90 and 180. (1)
Must Read Blog: What is Ayahuasca?
Is Ayahuasca safe for the heart?
Ayahuasca is safe for the heart in individuals without pre-existing cardiovascular diseases; however, in those with any cardiac condition, the case should be evaluated on an individual basis.
I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (arterial hypertension) and I want to take Ayahuasca. Could I do it?
In the case of patients with arterial hypertension disorders and heart pathologies, caution is advised, as the inhibition of intraneural MAO (monoamine oxidases: substances present in the brew) can increase levels of noradrenaline, which could lead to producing intense sympathomimetic effects (elevation of blood pressure values, increase in cardiac output, and heart rate) that may be a risk factor for individuals with these disorders.
In these cases, the best recommendation is to have proper control of blood pressure values in the weeks leading up to taking Ayahuasca; generally, it is not recommended to stop antihypertensive pill therapies before the ayahuasca ceremony, and it is important to inform the team or facilitators about the medications you are taking to provide accurate recommendations and care.
The normal blood pressure values according to the American Heart Association for a healthy adult should be below 120/80 mmHg, and the normal heart rate values should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute; however, many factors can alter these values, such as caffeine, anxiety, and stress. Therefore, if you have any doubts about your blood pressure and whether you can take ayahuasca, it is always advisable to have a medical check-up beforehand.
Can Ayahuasca Lower Blood Pressure or Cause Orthostatic Hypotension?
The measured cardiovascular effect of Ayahuasca is a short rise in blood pressure. It does not lower blood pressure, so it does not cause orthostatic hypotension the way some blood pressure medications can. Orthostatic (postural) hypotension is a fall in blood pressure when you stand up from lying or sitting, and it shows up as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting within a few minutes of standing. (6)
Two things during a ceremony can still leave you feeling faint on standing. The purge, meaning the vomiting and diarrhea, removes fluid, and dehydration is a well-known cause of low blood pressure on standing. (6) It can also be that lying down for hours and then getting up quickly brings on that same head-rush. So again, the practical guidance stays simple. Stand up slowly, sip water or an electrolyte drink through the night, and let a facilitator walk with you rather than getting up alone.
There is also a documented pattern in the other direction. In the Dos Santos 2012 study, blood pressure and heart rate rose after the first dose and then fell after a second dose given hours later, which the authors linked to desensitization of the 5-HT2A receptor. (1) That is a transient shift measured in a controlled trial. It is not evidence that Ayahuasca treats or lowers blood pressure over time. If you already feel dizzy on standing in daily life, that belongs in your medical screening, because it can point to other effects or conditions a facilitator needs to know before a ceremony.
Ayahuasca high blood pressure: Can I drink if I am taking medications to treat it?
To date, there are no studies that evaluate the risks of taking Ayahuasca in people who are on antihypertensive medications. As previously mentioned, there may be a transient increase in systolic blood pressure values by about 10 mmHg; for these cases, it is advisable to conduct an individual assessment of the patient considering the mechanisms of action of the antihypertensive medications being taken, their elimination pathway, and the control of blood pressure values in this person; generally, there are no contraindications to taking ayahuasca in combination with any antihypertensive medication; in fact, the recommendation is not to stop them.
The main blood pressure drug classes all lower blood pressure by different routes, and none of them has a studied interaction with Ayahuasca: diuretics (water pills), ACE inhibitors such as enalapril, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, and beta-blockers. (7) The standing recommendation across the research is to keep taking them before a ceremony, because rebound high blood pressure from stopping suddenly is a bigger risk than the brew’s transient rise of about 10 mmHg. (2)(7)
The interaction that needs real care is not the blood pressure pill but the MAO inhibitors inside Ayahuasca. The harmala alkaloids in the brew inhibit monoamine oxidase, and that is the same mechanism behind the tyramine and serotonin cautions around Ayahuasca. (7) It is why a serious screening asks about every medication and not only the heart drugs, and why SSRI and antidepressant safety is handled as its own conversation. A level of caution here is basic pharmacology.
And by bringing a current medication list and recent blood pressure readings to your ceremony preparation, you give the facilitator and the medical screener what they need to make an individual call. That is the responsible move, and it is yours to make before you arrive.
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Why do some places advise against taking Ayahuasca if I have high blood pressure?
Having high blood pressure values does suggest one should not take Ayahuasca because it has been shown to increase blood pressure values by up to 10 mmHg (2), which can pose risks for individuals with uncontrolled hypertension. Additionally, some people with high blood pressure also have other associated cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure, a history of myocardial infarction, ventricular hypertrophy, cardiac arrhythmias, in which cases and for these individuals, the ingestion of Ayahuasca is not recommended.
Can Ayahuasca cure me of high blood pressure (arterial hypertension)?
Arterial hypertension is an increasingly common disease in the Western population, and its exact causes have not been fully elucidated, with multiple factors involved in causing this condition. These factors include hereditary causes, endocrine tumors, and a wide variety of risk factors such as overweight or obesity, sedentary lifestyle, poor nutritional habits, high sodium consumption, chronic stress, among others.
Ayahuasca is known as the medicine of the soul, allowing individuals to connect with deeper levels of consciousness to work on emotional, psychological, and personal growth aspects.
From a holistic perspective, in alternative medicine, high blood pressure has been associated with pent-up resentment and suppressed anger, so from this perspective, it could help people suffering from high blood pressure to find key points within themselves to work on in their daily lives, leading to fuller lives with greater awareness, happiness, tranquility, and acceptance, however, there is not direct scientific correlation that ayahuasca can help with that.
Must Read Blog: Ayahuasca healing
Conclusions
Uncontrolled arterial hypertension and Ayahuasca is a combination that is not recommended.
Individuals interested in participating in a ceremony need to have a level of responsibility and knowledge about the possible adverse effects that may occur from ingesting the brew.
In general, Ayahuasca can be taken by hypertensive individuals, but it should be noted that blood pressure values must be controlled, and always inform beforehand about the medications you are taking to provide relevant recommendations.
For those individuals with arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, a much more careful evaluation should be conducted, considering the severity of these other diseases, and keeping in mind that the recommendation may be not to take Ayahuasca to protect their health.
References
- Dos Santos, R. G., Grasa, E., Valle, M., Ballester, M. R., Bouso, J. C., Nomdedéu, J. F., … & Riba, J. (2012). Pharmacology of ayahuasca administered in two repeated doses. Psychopharmacology, 219, 1039-1053
- Riba, J., & Barbanoj, M. J. (2003). Farmacología de la ayahuasca: investigaciones con voluntarios mediante ensayos clínicos. Ayahuasca y salud, 315.
- Santos AC, Azevedo BR de MS, Pereira NK, Irulegui R de SC, Baracho NC do V. Efectos cardiovasculares, renales y hepáticos producidos por la administración crónica de Ayahuasca en ratas hipertensas/Efectos cardiovasculares, renales y hepáticos producidos por la administración crónica de Ayahuasca en Ratas hipertensas. Ciencias de la Salud J
- Dos Santos, R. G., Grasa, E., Valle, M., Ballester, M. R., Bouso, J. C., Nomdedéu, J. F., … & Riba, J. (2012). Pharmacology of ayahuasca administered in two repeated doses. Psychopharmacology, 219, 1039-1053.
- Escobar Cornejo, Guillermo Saúl. (2015). Las propiedades farmacocinéticas del ayahuasca. Liberabit, 21(2), 313-319.
- Wsół, A. (2023). Cardiovascular safety of psychedelic medicine: current status and future directions. Pharmacological Reports, 75, 1362-1380. PMC10661823
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Orthostatic hypotension. medlineplus.gov
FAQs
What happens to your body when you take ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca temporarily raises heart rate and blood pressure, stimulates the gut (often causing vomiting or diarrhea), and alters perception for several hours. For people with hypertension, the cardiovascular effects are the main concern and warrant medical clearance first.
What are the side effects of ayahuasca for people with high blood pressure?
For people with high blood pressure, ayahuasca can cause spikes in blood pressure and heart rate, dizziness, and in rare cases dangerous cardiovascular strain. Anyone with hypertension should be screened by a doctor before considering a ceremony.
What herbs trigger high blood pressure?
Stimulant herbs such as licorice root, yohimbe, ephedra, and bitter orange can raise blood pressure and are best avoided, especially around ayahuasca. Because ayahuasca acts as an MAOI, combining it with these can amplify cardiovascular risk.
Can you take ayahuasca with blood pressure medication?
If your blood pressure is well controlled on medication and you have no other serious heart condition, it may be possible, and the standing advice is to keep taking your medication rather than stop it before a ceremony. There is no studied interaction between Ayahuasca and common antihypertensives such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors like enalapril, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, or beta-blockers, but you still need a doctor’s clearance and a screened facilitator who knows your full medication list.
Can ayahuasca lower your blood pressure or make you faint when you stand up?
Ayahuasca is measured to raise blood pressure briefly. It does not lower it, so it does not cause orthostatic hypotension directly. You can still feel lightheaded on standing, because vomiting and diarrhea during the purge cause fluid loss and dehydration lowers blood pressure when you stand. Stand up slowly, keep sipping water or electrolytes, and let a facilitator help you move around during the night.
