Using tobacco as an MAOI

[phantomcosmonaut]

I understand that tobacco contains harmala alkaloids or whatever it is, and smoking cigarettes can mildly potentiate a tryptamine or DXM. So could cigarette tobacco or N. rustica be used as a replacement for syrian rue or B. caapi when consuming a tryptamine (shrooms, ayahuasca brew, etc)? I couldn't find anything involving the harmala content of N. rustica or N. tobaccum (regular cigs), so could someone give me some insight on this? I feel like this would be a lot better than other MAOIs, hopefully less harsh on the stomach.
*edit*- I forgot to mention that I'm reffering to smoking OR possibly eating the tobacco, which seems like it may be a better way to get the MAO-inhibition.

 

[laCster]

smoking ciggs is a awful habit, and i should know i smoke ciggs daily. the alkaloids is only a weak MAOI. it will not be sufficient to affect other drugs to answer your question. its effects are minimal. this is often why people chain smoke...

 

[phantomcosmonaut]

the alkaloids is only a weak MAOI. it will not be sufficient to affect other drugs to answer your question. its effects are minimal.

Can you site this? I haven't been able to find anything saying it has low MAOI content. Unless you meant the actual alkaloids are weak, which I don't think is right because they're the same chemicals in Syrian rue.
Also, I meant to imply *eating* the tobacco because I'm guessing that would be way more effective. I guess I forgot to mention that though

 

[phantomcosmonaut]

bump

 

[tyrael]

Agreed, afaik (and tbh tobacco/constituents are exactly my field of interest!) I've never come across/read any MAOI activity from any constituents (either naturally occur nor created upon heat). Would be interesting to read about though.

Sorry, but am gonna require a source!?

I would think regardless of this sort of activity, the (which been shown many, many, many a time, lol) [negative] side-effect profile would most definitely outway any slight positive* effects it may have.


* in fact if you read around a bit (from reliable sources of course) there are some positive effects of tobacco, nicotine specifically.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

There are other threads on this. Here is one example which cites some sources: Cigarettes/nicotine as MAO-Is

Tobacco is a potentiator of many drugs. For example, traditional ayahuasca ceremonies involve a lot of (natural non-factory strong mapacho) tobacco smoke. It does potentiate the experience (including the nausea IME. Smoking while on opioids can also increase nausea). I don't think tobacco is a strong enough MAO-I to be able to use tobacco smoke alone as the MAO-I though. They also sometimes drink tobacco juice/tea, but I would NOT recommend you do this yourself, people have DIED from nicotine poisoning due to this, even under the supervision of someone experienced.

 

[tyrael]

Hmm, interesting SD, cheers!

 

[Darknite]

I just wanted to bump this thread with some experiences I've had.

Been to many Ayahuasca ceremonies, mostly of a tribe from Colombia.

Tobacco is heavily used within the ceremony, by the shaman and his apprentices/helpers. They smoke probably every hour. As do I.

Before the brew is served we pass around a pipe filled with tobacco to pray with and give thanks to mother ayahuasca. Blowing puffs of smoke up, down, left and right. Up to as many as 40+ people in a circle.

Then a bowl and spoon are passed around of tobacco "juice" or liquid that is snorted off your palm. It is very clearing and awakening. It brightens your senses.

The medicine is then administered.

45mins-1 hour later your feeling the medicine and your time to "get well" has arrived (vomiting up everything you have inside you and then some...) smoking some tobacco can help facilitate this if your having a hard time sitting with the medicine and feeling the need to get well.

Once you've lifted off tobacco centers you and is extremely calming. Its feels like Ayahuasca and tobacco were created to complement each other. One of the best feelings I've ever had in my life, hands down.

The following days after ingesting the medicine tobacco is very grounding and helpful in re-integrating yourself from the experience.

 

[phantomcosmonaut]

They smoke probably every hour. As do I.

It brightens your senses.

45mins-1 hour later your feeling the medicine and your time to "get well" has arrived (vomiting up everything you have inside you and then some...) smoking some tobacco can help facilitate this if your having a hard time sitting with the medicine and feeling the need to get well.

Once you've lifted off tobacco centers you and is extremely calming. Its feels like Ayahuasca and tobacco were created to complement each other. One of the best feelings I've ever had in my life, hands down.

The following days after ingesting the medicine tobacco is very grounding and helpful in re-integrating yourself from the experience.

Maybe your experience with tobacco is like this because you're addicted to it. I don't think someone who has no dependence to it would get those effects. And it doesn't sound like it potentiated the trip, but it just provided you with that well being that a normal tobacco-addict would get from smoking. I'm not trying to belittle your experience, that's just how it seems.

 

[puking]

what about dipping? I find dipping tobe much stroer than even filterless cigarettes