Scientist says psychedelic brew consumed by Amazonian shamans could fight cancer

[Judi Lynn]

Scientist says psychedelic brew consumed by Amazonian shamans could fight cancer
By Eric W. Dolan
Monday, January 27, 2014 11:57 EST

A powerful psychedelic brew consumed by shamans deep in the Amazon could help in the fight against cancer and should be researched, according to a Brazilian scientist.

Ayahuasca — meaning the “vine of the souls” – is traditionally prepared using the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves, though other combinations of plants are sometimes used. Psychotria viridis contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in the leaves, while Banisteriopsis caapi contains beta-carbolines such as harmine and harmaline.

For centuries, the psychedelic brew has been used in shamanistic healing rituals. A Natural Geographic reporter who participated in an ayahuasca ritual described the experience as “terrifying—but enlightening.”

Eduardo E. Schenberg of the Federal University of Sao Paulo thinks some of the healing powers attributed to ayahuasca deserve scientific attention, particularly when it comes to cancer.

More:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/27/scientist-says-psychedelic-brew-consumed-by-amazonian-shamans-could-fight-cancer/

[Politicalboi]

1. 1974 studies show

Marijuana shrinks cancerous tumors????????? Why don't we use what we know? Why go all that way and probably cause destruction when we have a medication that will help possibly cure cancer. We've had that info for 40 years, and we're still fighting, and learning.