Drug & supplement interaction

Ayahuasca + Methoxyamphetamine

Methoxyamphetamine brand name: PMA.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Ayahuasca has a moderate interaction with Methoxyamphetamine. Theoretically, ayahuasca might increase plasma concentrations of CYP2D6 substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Interaction report

Ayahuasca and Methoxyamphetamine

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

Why this applies to Methoxyamphetamine

Methoxyamphetamine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Ayahuasca interacts with.

Theoretically, ayahuasca might increase plasma concentrations of CYP2D6 substrates.
Ayahuasca contains beta-carboline alkaloids, including harmine and harmaline. In vitro research suggests that the beta-carboline alkaloids might inhibit CYP2D6 enzymes. This effect has not been reported in humans.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

First, a real safety note: PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine) is a dangerous, illegal street drug, not a medicine, and ayahuasca itself carries serious risks. So this isn't something to mix on purpose. Here's the science of why combining them is especially risky. PMA is partly cleared by a liver enzyme called CYP2D6. Lab studies suggest the beta-carboline compounds in ayahuasca (harmine and harmaline) can block CYP2D6, though this hasn't actually been confirmed in people.

If that blocking happens, PMA could build up to higher levels in the body, making its effects stronger and harder to predict. With PMA that can mean dangerously high body temperature, racing heart, high blood pressure, and seizures. On top of that, ayahuasca's MAOI activity adds even more danger. Please talk to a doctor or pharmacist, and don't use these.

References
  1. Zhao, T., He, Y. Q., Wang, J., Ding, K. M., Wang, C. H., and Wang, Z. T. Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes 3A4 and 2D6 by β-carboline alkaloids, harmine derivatives. Phytother Res 2011;25(11):1671-1677.
  2. dos Santos RG. Safety and side effects of ayahuasca in humans--an overview focusing on developmental toxicology. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2013 Jan-Mar;45(1):68-78. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Ayahuasca Also Interacts With Other Medications

Ayahuasca has 804 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Methoxyamphetamine one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Ayahuasca

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Ayahuasca. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Methoxyamphetamine

This page covers Ayahuasca only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Methoxyamphetamine page lists 111 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Ephedra (major), Peyote (major), Rauvolfia Vomitoria (major) and Sida Cordifolia (major).

By severity: 5 major · 86 moderate · 20 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Methoxyamphetamine page

“Methoxyamphetamine (PMA) is an amphetamine that leaves very little room for error, since doses not far above the active one can turn toxic, so I read this list as a genuine warning rather than background material. The core problem is stacked stimulation.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Methoxyamphetamine interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Ayahuasca and Methoxyamphetamine Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Ayahuasca
Top half

#542 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Methoxyamphetamine
Top 25%

#483 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Ayahuasca

What is Ayahuasca?

Ayahuasca
  • Spiritual and ceremonial rituals
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Substance use disorders
  • Personal or emotional insight

Ayahuasca is a powerful psychoactive brew that combines a DMT-containing plant with a vine that allows the DMT to take effect, causing intense hallucinations. It is illegal in many places, can trigger dangerous reactions, and is not recommended for self-use; talk to a doctor or pharmacist before considering it.

Read the full Ayahuasca monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Ayahuasca

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Ayahuasca — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
804Moderate
0Minor
2,025No known interaction
Moderate

804 interactions

Showing 60 of 804 moderate interactions — see all 804 on the Ayahuasca page.

No interaction 2,025 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Ayahuasca against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,025 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Ayahuasca list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Ayahuasca and Methoxyamphetamine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Ayahuasca with Methoxyamphetamine?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Ayahuasca and Methoxyamphetamine interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Methoxyamphetamine and Ayahuasca?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.