Yopo

Plant Medicine

Yopo is a psychedelic snuff made from the roasted seeds of the Anadenanthera peregrina tree, used ceremonially in South America for thousands of years. Its main active compound is bufotenin, a serotonergic tryptamine; effects come on within seconds, are physically intense, and are short-lived.

Also known as: Cohoba, Paricá, Anadenanthera peregrina, Niopo, Jopo, Bufotenin snuff

Written by Psymerge Editorial Team · Last updated June 4, 2026

Key facts

CategoryPlant Medicine
OnsetSeconds to a few minutes
Peak5–20 minutes
Total duration15–60 minutes
After-effectsTiredness and residual effects for an hour or two

Overview

Yopo (also called cohoba or paricá) is a hallucinogenic snuff prepared from the roasted, ground seeds of the tree Anadenanthera peregrina, native to the Orinoco basin and other parts of South America and the Caribbean. The powder is traditionally blown forcefully into the nostrils, often by another person through a tube. Its principal active compound is bufotenin (5-hydroxy-DMT), a serotonergic tryptamine, with only trace amounts of DMT and 5-MeO-DMT (Ott, 2001).

The experience is rapid and physically demanding: onset within seconds, intense effects including strong purging and marked cardiovascular changes, and a relatively short duration. Yopo and related Anadenanthera snuffs have one of the longest documented histories of entheogenic use of any substance.

Because bufotenin produces pronounced cardiovascular and emetic effects, yopo carries notable physical risks. This page summarises its pharmacology, effects, and risks, drawing on ethnobotanical and peer-reviewed literature.

History & origins

Yopo and related Anadenanthera snuffs have been used in South America and the Caribbean for thousands of years; archaeological finds of snuffing paraphernalia and seeds point to a tradition stretching back millennia, making bufotenin-containing snuffs among the oldest known entheogens. Spanish chroniclers described the snuff (which they called 'cohoba') among Caribbean and Orinoco peoples at the time of contact.

Modern chemical study established that the seeds' principal alkaloid is bufotenin, not DMT or 5-MeO-DMT as was once assumed, and the human pharmacology of bufotenin was characterised in detail by Jonathan Ott (Ott, 2001). Yopo remains in ceremonial use among several Indigenous groups today.

Pharmacology & how it works

Yopo's effects come mainly from bufotenin (5-hydroxy-DMT), a serotonergic tryptamine closely related to DMT, with only trace amounts of DMT and 5-MeO-DMT in the seeds (Ott, 2001). Bufotenin acts on serotonin receptors and also produces pronounced peripheral effects on the cardiovascular system.

Chemical class
Tryptamine snuff (primarily bufotenin / 5-OH-DMT)
Routes of administration
Insufflated (blown into the nostrils), Self-administered as a snuff
Tolerance
There is no evidence of physical dependence; like other serotonergic tryptamines it shows little tendency to compulsive use.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorbed rapidly through the nasal lining, yopo acts within seconds, peaks within minutes, and resolves within roughly 15–60 minutes — a fast, short, and intense time course.

Effects

Physical Effects

  • Intense pressure and discomfort in the nose and head as it is administered
  • Strong nausea, vomiting, and watering of the eyes and nose
  • A marked rise in heart rate and blood pressure, often with facial flushing
  • Sweating and physical heat
  • Loss of coordination; many people need to lie down

Psychological Effects

  • A very rapid, overwhelming onset
  • Vivid visions and altered perception
  • A distorted sense of body, space, and time
  • Disorientation or confusion
  • Fear or anxiety during the peak

Spiritual Effects

  • Visionary and trance states central to ceremonial use
  • Feelings of contact with spirits, ancestors, or other realms
  • A sense of cleansing or spiritual communication

Dosage Information

Low: ~0.3–0.5 g of prepared snuff (insufflated)
Medium: ~0.5–1 g of prepared snuff (insufflated)
High: 1+ g of prepared snuff (insufflated)

Bufotenin content varies considerably between seed batches and preparations (seeds can contain several percent bufotenin), so dosing is approximate and difficult to standardise. Traditionally the snuff is measured and administered by an experienced practitioner. Educational only and not an endorsement of use.

Risks & safety

Contraindications

Yopo's active compound, bufotenin, produces strong cardiovascular effects, so its contraindications are particularly important. It is generally inadvisable for:

  • Cardiovascular conditions: any heart disease, arrhythmia, or high blood pressure — an especially important concern with yopo.
  • Psychiatric history: a personal or family history of psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.
  • Use of serotonergic medications or MAOIs (see interactions below).
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Drug interactions

As a serotonergic tryptamine snuff, yopo carries important interaction risks.

  • MAOIs: combining yopo with MAO inhibitors (including ayahuasca-type harmala alkaloids, with which it is sometimes combined) can dangerously intensify its effects and toxicity.
  • SSRIs, SNRIs, and other serotonergic drugs: raise the risk of serotonin syndrome.
  • Stimulants: compound yopo's already strong cardiovascular effects.

This list is not exhaustive. Disclose all medications to a clinician before considering use.

Psychological distress & bad trips

Yopo's almost instant, overwhelming onset can be frightening and disorienting, and the experience is physically brutal as well as psychologically intense. Fear, panic, and confusion are common during the peak, particularly for unprepared users or outside a supportive ceremonial setting.

Rare but serious risks

Yopo carries notable acute physical risks, more so than many other tryptamine preparations:

  • Cardiovascular effects: bufotenin can cause a sharp rise in heart rate and blood pressure, facial flushing or bluish discoloration, and difficulty breathing (Ott, 2001) — potentially dangerous for anyone with a heart condition.
  • Severe nausea and vomiting, with a risk of choking and dehydration.
  • Loss of coordination and control, with a risk of falls or injury.
  • Combination risks: mixing yopo with MAOIs or other drugs markedly increases the danger.

Vulnerable populations

Some groups face substantially higher risk and should avoid yopo:

  • People with any heart condition, arrhythmia, or high blood pressure.
  • People with a personal or family history of psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.
  • People taking MAOIs, antidepressants, or other serotonergic medications.
  • Adolescents, whose brains are still developing.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding people.

Dependency & addiction potential

Like other serotonergic psychedelics, yopo is not considered addictive and does not produce physical dependence or compulsive use. Its dangers are acute and physical — cardiovascular strain, purging, and interaction risks — rather than related to dependence.

Overdose

Bufotenin can cause significant peripheral toxicity, and higher doses raise the risk of dangerous cardiovascular and respiratory effects, especially in people with heart conditions or when yopo is combined with MAOIs or other drugs. If someone experiences chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, a bluish face, a dangerously high heart rate, or loss of consciousness, seek emergency medical help immediately.

Harm Reduction

  • Recognise yopo's strong cardiovascular effects: avoid it entirely if you have any heart condition, arrhythmia, or high blood pressure.
  • Never combine yopo with MAOIs (including ayahuasca/harmala) or serotonergic antidepressants.
  • Have an experienced person administer it and a sober sitter present; sit or lie down, since loss of control is common.
  • Start with a small amount — effects come on within seconds and escalate quickly.
  • Expect intense purging: protect the airway and stay hydrated.
  • Avoid yopo if you have a personal or family history of psychosis.
  • Engage respectfully with the tradition rather than using it casually or alone.

Cultural & spiritual context

Yopo is used ceremonially by various Indigenous peoples of the Orinoco basin and surrounding regions — including groups such as the Piaroa — for healing, divination, and communication with the spirit world. The snuff is typically administered by an experienced person, often blown through a long tube into the recipient's nostrils, within a structured ritual context. Related snuffs (cebil, vilca, and the Virola-based epena of the Yanomami) form part of the same broad tradition.

As with other Indigenous plant practices, yopo carries specific meanings, protocols, and community responsibilities. It is a sacred and physically demanding medicine rather than a casual recreational drug, and engaging with it responsibly means respecting its cultural origins and the people who maintain these traditions.

Legal Status

Laws vary widely by country and change frequently, so we don't track legal status here to avoid showing outdated information.

Check current worldwide legal status on Psychedelic Alpha

Frequently asked questions

What is yopo made from, and what is its active compound?

Yopo is a snuff made from the roasted, ground seeds of the tree Anadenanthera peregrina. Its principal active compound is bufotenin (5-hydroxy-DMT), a serotonergic tryptamine, with only trace amounts of DMT and 5-MeO-DMT (Ott, 2001).

How is yopo taken and how long does it last?

The powdered snuff is blown into the nostrils, traditionally by another person through a tube. Effects begin within seconds, peak within minutes, and largely resolve within 15–60 minutes — a fast, short, and intense experience.

Why is yopo so physically intense?

Bufotenin produces pronounced peripheral effects, including a sharp rise in heart rate and blood pressure, facial flushing, and strong nausea and vomiting (Ott, 2001). This is why yopo feels physically demanding and why heart conditions are a serious contraindication.

Is yopo addictive?

No. Like other serotonergic psychedelics, yopo does not cause physical dependence or compulsive use. Its risks are acute and physical rather than related to addiction.

Is yopo dangerous to combine with antidepressants or MAOIs?

Yes. Combining yopo with MAOIs (including ayahuasca-type harmala alkaloids) or with SSRIs and other serotonergic drugs can dangerously intensify its effects or trigger serotonin syndrome. These combinations should be avoided.

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References & further reading

  • Ott, J. (2001). Pharmañopo-psychonautics: Human Intranasal, Sublingual, Intrarectal, Pulmonary and Oral Pharmacology of Bufotenine. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 33(3), 273–281. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2001.10400574
  • Torres, C. M., & Repke, D. B. (2006). Anadenanthera: Visionary Plant of Ancient South America. New York: Haworth Herbal Press.
  • Nichols, D. E. (2016). Psychedelics. Pharmacological Reviews, 68(2), 264–355. https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.115.011478
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/psychedelic-dissociative-drugs
  • European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Drug profiles. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles_en
  • Erowid. Anadenanthera (Yopo) Vault. https://www.erowid.org/plants/anadenanthera/
  • DanceSafe. https://dancesafe.org/drug-information/
  • TripSit. Drug combinations chart. https://wiki.tripsit.me/wiki/Drug_combinations

About this article

Written by:
PE
Psymerge Editorial Team
Last updated June 4, 2026