Changa (drug)

Not to be confused with Changaa.

Changa (/ˈtʃɑːŋɡɑː/) is a blend of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) mixed with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The addition of MAOIs extend the DMT experience in duration and intensity when compared with smoking DMT freebase alone.^[1] Typically, extracts from DMT-containing plants are combined with a blend of different MAOI-containing herbs, such as the ayahuasca vine, and/or leaf or harmala alkaloids from Peganum harmala to create a mix that is 25 to 50% DMT.^[2][3]

Changa blend

Changa smoking blend (left) and DMT freebase (right)

History

Changa was created by Julian Palmer in 2003-2004^[4] and named when he 'asked' for a moniker for the drug during an ayahuasca session.^[5] Palmer actively 'seeded' Changa throughout the world, introducing it to the UK, Russia, India, Morocco, West Africa, Chile, Montenegro and China.^[6]

The substance grew in popularity from the mid 2000s.^[7] Its international introduction dates to the Boom Festival in Portugal in 2008.^[8]

Changa's popularity has continued due to its ease of smoking, more powerful effects and longer duration (approximately 10-20 minutes) when compared to smoking freebase DMT crystal.^[9]

Composition

Changa consists of two primary components dimethyltryptamine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Any number of blend combinations are possible. Doses vary substantially from one sample to the next depending on what ingredients are used and in what ratio.^[10] Some Changa samples can be more than 100 times stronger than others.^[11] Julian Palmer has written,"Changa has been commonly reported to consist of simply Banisteriopsis caapi leaf and DMT, and this recipe works very well... Any herb or plant can be used in changa, and many different herbs are being used by different people around the world in different ratios and blends. It should be kept in mind that the ayahuasca element activates the herbs used, and each new herb may not have the desired effect, or may have an unpredictable effect. So, a ‘classic’ and ‘original’ changa blend that has stood the test of time looks something like this: 30% ayahuasca vine and/or leaf 20% mullein 20% passionflower 20% peppermint 5% calendula 5% blue lotus"^[12]

In popular culture

Australian electronic trio Pnau titled their November 2017 album Changa in homage to the substance.^[13] It reached a peak of number 11 on the ARIA charts.

References

1. "Changa - DMT-Nexus Wiki". wiki.dmt-nexus.me.
2. St. John, Graham (2015). Mystery School in Hyperspace: A Cultural History of DMT. Berkeley, USA: Evolver Editions. ISBN 978-1583947326.
3. Cusack, Carole; Norman, Alex (2012). Handbook of New Religions and Cultural Production. Leiden, Netherlands: BRILL. ISBN 9789004221871.
4. St. John, Graeme (2016). "Aussiewaska: A Cultural History of Changa and Ayahuasca Analogues in Australia.". In Labate, Beatriz; Cavnar, Clancy; Gearin, Alex (eds.). The World Ayahuasca Diaspora: Reinventions and Controversies. Routledge. pp. 143–164. ISBN 978-1-4724-6663-1.
5. Berger, Markus (2017). Changa: Die rauchbare Evolution des Ayahuasca. Nachtschatten Verlag. pp. 10–11. ISBN 978-3037883563.
6. Revell, Jack (11 November 2020). "Meet the Man Who Brought DMT to the Masses". Vice. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
7. Palmer, Julian (2014). Articulations: On the Utilisation and Meanings of Psychedelics. Julian Palmerisms. ISBN 9780992552800.
8. Gomes Batista, Henrique (2 May 2019). "CHANGA, A NOVA DROGA QUE ACENDEU O ALERTA DA POLÍCIA". Época. Rio de Janeiro. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
9. Lyden, John C.; Mazur, Eric Michael (2015). The Routledge Companion to Religion and Popular Culture. Abindgon, UK: Routledge. ISBN 9781317531067.
10. "Changa: Smoking DMT infused into Ayahuasca and other Herbs". julianpalmerism.com.
11. "Changa: Smokeable Ayahuasca". Tripsitter. 2021-05-31. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
12. "Changa: Smoking DMT infused into Ayahuasca and other Herbs". julianpalmerism.com.
13. McGrane, Danielle (2017-11-09). "Pnau release drug-inspired album". The West Australian. Retrieved 2018-01-01.