Yopo Snuff

Rapé Yopo Anadenanthera peregrina + Ash | Yanomami and Piaroa

The “Yopo” is the name given to a powerful fast visionary used by several tribes of South America for more than 4000 years. Today, it is used mainly by the tribes of the Amazon rainforest – Yanomami and the Piaroa – who managed to ward off the influence of the western world. Its purpose is spiritual and healing. Until today, they continue to listen to the wisdom of the jungle in the form of Yopo rapé.

The base of the tobacco is prepared with dried seeds of the Anadenanthera Peregrina tree. The dried seeds are lightly toasted and then ground into a fine powder that is mixed with ashes and other ingredients that usually vary to give the substance a pleasant smell. The scientific name of the Anadenanthera Peregrina makes clear reference to the Sanskrit word “Ananda” which means bliss. It can be said that the Yopo is a cousin of the sacred vine, the Ayahuasca! Both contain DMT, and Yopo is normally ingested together with Banisteriopsis Caapi, one of the two plants that are also used to prepare the Ayahuasca drink.

Although yopo snuff can have a powerful effect on its own, when combined with Banisteriopsis caapi its effects are enhanced. This happens because the vine contains MAOi (monoamine oxidase), a chemical compound that produces our own body to break down substances such as DMT, making the DMT stay for much longer in the body. Yopo snuff also contains a combination of Bufotenin, and 5-MeO-DMT, molecules that are similar to DMT in the chemical structure and produce a visionary experience. Its effect is sudden and intense, being able to be inhaled with a tube of smell or be blown in the nostrils of one by another person using a puff tube. In the first five minutes, you may feel a strong discomfort in the respiratory system. The nasal cavity and most of the pharynx swells causing a pruritic sensation, which is accompanied by a series of sneezes. After that, you can feel a little pressure in the head and extreme nausea, which can also lead to vomiting.

After that initial period of discomfort, the effects come slowly. From ideas to travel in time, abstract geometric patterns … The yopo creates a strong and visionary experience.

In a traditional setting, the sessions are guided by a shaman who sings and plays instruments such as the rattle, a pan or maraca flute. As with other entheogens, sounds greatly influence the dynamics of the experience, as well as the environment and our mentality. The Yopo shamans describe this experience as an opening of the third eye, and become capable of perceiving in terms of the non-physical spiritual imensions.