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First time harmalas usage

NeitherHere

NeitherHere

Going where life takes me.
Donator
I'm totally wet behind the ears when it comes to harmalas.

For my first time usage I chose to get a pre-extractacted product just for predicability and ease of usage. Soon I'll get my hands on live plants like caapi and veridis to sustainably harvest at home.

Unfortunately i'm totally wet behind the ears here. While I understand stuff like pre hospital medicine and harm reduction/safe practices I'm unusually unfamiliar with harmalas.

I know harmala/harmamine is suppose to be a RIMA and safe than non reversible MAOIs but to my understanding you still have to watch certain foods and medications. I've tried reading through posts several times over multiple months but it all feels like Greek.

As embarrassing as it is I feel like I may need a tutor, teacher, sponsor, or otherwise "big brother/ sister" here. Preferably a recognized SENIOR member, mod, or admin.

My plans for now is to take an allergy dose, quite literally a sub perceptible dose and slowly work my way up. Until I feel SOMETHING.

My current daily or common usage supplements include :
Test booster components:
Fenugreek
Tongkat ali
DIM
Tribulus
Indole3carbinol

Gentle iron (as needed)

(Magnesium as needed)

Electrolyte solutions

Naproxen sodium (as needed)

Mitragyna speciosa 4-8 grams daily (chronic pain MGMT)

Dramamine hcl (as needed for motion sickness)

I also keep metoprolol succinate ER on hand for emergent usage. Most of the time I don't need it but occasionally I need it. I know this is most likely an incompatible substance and plan to omit it during harmalas usage / i.e. I don't plan on using them anywhere near each other at this point it really is just a safeguard.

As far as my migraines and cluster headaches I don't take the medications, they're totally ineffective so I use dmt and psilocin to manage those conditions rather effectively. This is part of my curiosity with adding harmalas to the mix to hopefully reduce the quantity needed to experience relief while maximizing the efficacy of the treatment sessions.


If you're willing to offer a guiding hand please feel free to reach out. I intend to be moderately selective because this is at the core of the topic a harm reduction deal for me. So please don't take it personal if I pass on an offer to help. At the end of the day no nexian will be with me in the emergent care unit should I make a mistake.

Thanks for your time and guidance

♥️ NeitherHere
 
Sounds like you have a clear plan outlined. I've been recently contemplating harmalas extracted from Syrian rue seeds. I've got them all extracted and dosed in 100 mg capsules ready to go down the hatch. What's preventing me from going further? Myself....
 
Kobranek said:
Sounds like you have a clear plan outlined. I've been recently contemplating harmalas extracted from Syrian rue seeds. I've got them all extracted and dosed in 100 mg capsules ready to go down the hatch. What's preventing me from going further? Myself....
Click to expand...
Likewise. Something is "in the way". I tried a little bit but there's this lingering "this isn't the time" feeling going on for some reason. So I guess I'll let it sit until it calls to me 🤙

So weird, just a few years ago I would have been all over it but now it's like I've learned to listen to it. Ask it's opinion, be patient, show the medicines respect etc. 🤔
 
I wanted to help out. I thought the easiest way to get a straight forward answer to your questions was to ask AI. So I did. I think it may provide some initial information to go off of so you can make an informed decision of how to proceed.

🧬 What Are Harmalas?

Harmalas (mainly harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine) are reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (RIMAs). They are found in plants like Banisteriopsis caapi (ayahuasca vine) and Peganum harmala (Syrian Rue). Their primary role in traditional medicine or psychedelic combinations (like with DMT) is to make certain tryptamines orally active by preventing their breakdown.


✅ Your Safety-First Plan: Allergy Dosing

Perfect plan. Allergy testing with a ~1mg dose is smart. Then slowly titrating up (2mg, 5mg, 10mg, 25mg, 50mg) will let you find your threshold without pushing into deep territory too fast.



💊 Medication & Supplement Interactions

Here’s a breakdown of what you’re taking and how it plays with harmalas:


SubstanceRisk with HarmalasNotes
Fenugreek, Tongkat Ali, DIM, Tribulus, Indole-3-Carbinol🟢 Low riskGenerally fine, though DIM and I3C can mildly affect liver enzymes; monitor how you feel.
Gentle Iron🟢 Low riskNo known interaction
Magnesium / Electrolytes🟢 No riskHelpful for calming effects
Naproxen (NSAID)🟡 Mild cautionSome reports of GI upset or stress on the liver; better to separate by several hours
Mitragyna speciosa (kratom)🟡 Medium cautionSome potential for serotonergic or adrenergic interaction, and both are metabolized by similar liver pathways. Can potentiate sedation or body load. Start low.
Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate / Diphenhydramine)🔴 High cautionAnticholinergic, sedating, and not ideal with MAOI/RIMA due to CNS depression or confusion. Best avoided around harmalas.
Metoprolol (Beta blocker)🔴 Don’t mixGood on you for planning to avoid this during harmala windows. Definitely don’t mix.

TL;DR: You’re mostly okay, but Dramamine and Metoprolol are red flags, and kratom should be approached carefully.
Click to expand...


🍝 Dietary MAOI Precautions – Still Matter (But Not as Intense)

Even though harmalas are reversible and selective, there’s still a risk of hypertensive events from high tyramine foods, especially if you’re sensitive.


Avoid or minimize:


  • Aged cheeses
  • Cured meats (salami, pepperoni, prosciutto)
  • Soy sauce / miso / fermented tofu
  • Sauerkraut
  • Alcohol, especially red wine or tap beer
  • Overripe fruits like bananas and avocados

Safer alternatives:


  • Fresh meat, fish, vegetables
  • Whole grains, rice, oats
  • Herbal teas
  • Non-aged dairy


🧠 Migraine & Cluster Use: You're Onto Something

Harmalas can have migraine-relieving and neuroprotective effects, possibly by:


  • Modulating serotonin (5-HT2A, 5-HT1A)
  • Enhancing the effect of DMT or psilocybin
  • Mildly sedating the CNS (good for cluster attacks)

Some people find that microdosing harmalas alone can reduce migraine frequency. Others pair it with sub-threshold DMT doses (as you’re considering). You’re likely to find that less DMT is needed to reach a therapeutic window when harmalas are in the mix.



🔁 Next Steps:

  • Stick to your allergy dose plan
  • Keep a journal (dosing, mood, supplements, food)
  • Avoid kratom + harmalas at the same time until you’ve tested them separately
  • Eliminate Dramamine during harmala weeks
  • Check blood pressure pre- and post-dose if possible (especially with a history of metoprolol use)
 
Last edited:
Tripolation said:
I wanted to help out. I thought the easiest way to get a straight forward answer to your questions was to ask AI. So I did. I think it may provide some initial information to go off of so you can make an informed decision of how to proceed.

🧬 What Are Harmalas?

Harmalas (mainly harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine) are reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (RIMAs). They are found in plants like Banisteriopsis caapi (ayahuasca vine) and Peganum harmala(Syrian Rue). Their primary role in traditional medicine or psychedelic combinations (like with DMT) is to make certain tryptamines orally active by preventing their breakdown.


✅ Your Safety-First Plan: Allergy Dosing

Perfect plan. Allergy testing with a ~1mg doseis smart. Then slowly titrating up (2mg, 5mg, 10mg, 25mg, 50mg) will let you find your threshold without pushing into deep territory too fast.



💊 Medication & Supplement Interactions

Here’s a breakdown of what you’re taking and how it plays with harmalas:


SubstanceRisk with HarmalasNotes
Fenugreek, Tongkat Ali, DIM, Tribulus, Indole-3-Carbinol🟢 Low riskGenerally fine, though DIM and I3C can mildly affect liver enzymes; monitor how you feel.
Gentle Iron🟢 Low riskNo known interaction
Magnesium / Electrolytes🟢 No riskHelpful for calming effects
Naproxen (NSAID)🟡 Mild cautionSome reports of GI upset or stress on the liver; better to separate by several hours
Mitragyna speciosa (kratom)🟡 Medium cautionSome potential for serotonergic or adrenergic interaction, and both are metabolized by similar liver pathways. Can potentiate sedation or body load. Start low.
Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate / Diphenhydramine)🔴 High cautionAnticholinergic, sedating, and not ideal with MAOI/RIMA due to CNS depression or confusion. Best avoided around harmalas.
Metoprolol (Beta blocker)🔴 Don’t mixGood on you for planning to avoid this during harmala windows. Definitely don’t mix.




🍝 Dietary MAOI Precautions – Still Matter (But Not as Intense)

Even though harmalas are reversible and selective, there’s still a riskof hypertensive events from high tyramine foods, especially if you’re sensitive.


Avoid or minimize:


  • Aged cheeses
  • Cured meats (salami, pepperoni, prosciutto)
  • Soy sauce / miso / fermented tofu
  • Sauerkraut
  • Alcohol, especially red wine or tap beer
  • Overripe fruits like bananas and avocados

Safer alternatives:


  • Fresh meat, fish, vegetables
  • Whole grains, rice, oats
  • Herbal teas
  • Non-aged dairy


🧠 Migraine & Cluster Use: You're Onto Something

Harmalas can have migraine-relieving and neuroprotectiveeffects, possibly by:


  • Modulating serotonin (5-HT2A, 5-HT1A)
  • Enhancing the effect of DMT or psilocybin
  • Mildly sedating the CNS (good for cluster attacks)

Some people find that microdosing harmalas alone can reduce migraine frequency. Others pair it with sub-threshold DMT doses (as you’re considering). You’re likely to find that less DMT is needed to reach a therapeutic window when harmalas are in the mix.



🔁 Next Steps:

  • Stick to your allergy dose plan
  • Keep a journal (dosing, mood, supplements, food)
  • Avoid kratom + harmalas at the same time until you’ve tested them separately
  • Eliminate Dramamine during harmala weeks
  • Check blood pressure pre- and post-dose if possible (especially with a history of metoprolol use)
Click to expand...
You my friend are a saint. No clue why I hadn't thought to do that. My honeymoon period with ai ended abruptly.

Also not sure why this post didn't give me any alerts :( but thank you much <3
 
Kobranek said:
That's crazy to think how ai is going to push us further into the void more comfortably and confidently. That's pretty sweet Tripolation!
Click to expand...

That is a fact. Check out the articles below. Many more like them on a web search if you choose.


How AI is Changing Psychedelic Therapy

How AI is changing psychedelic therapy. AI for creating new psychedelics, for music and mapping the psychedelic world and human mind.
www.psychedelics-integration.com
 
Harmalas are really good, and absolutely wonderful with and without any DMT, if you’re looking to just tip your toe in the water I highly recommend to use it sublingual, at 30 mg or so. It’s really easygoing and when you think you have enough just swallow the rest and drink something to wash away the rest. Sublingual harmalas are not too strong and the effects are limited in time.


Anyway there is nothing to worry about and in combination with DMT you might never want to be without.

Good luck
 
Jungleheart said:
It's not that big of a deal, my dudes. Take 50 mg and hang out and watch TV.
Click to expand...
I agree with JH.

Aside from the meds, you may not need to augment much else. Anecdotally, I have been using harmalas for a while for long swathes of time and have never augmented my diet. I've noticed that it's mainly to avoid stomach discomfort to change the diet with harmalas. The issue with certain foods is tyramine which is broken down by MAO. When a non-reversible MAOI is in play it prevents tyramine breakdown which can lead to hypertensive crisis. The concern with adding other MAOIs to harmalas is serotonin syndrome.

Ain't gonna lie, sometimes, higher doses actually give me a bit of a headache.

One love
 
From personal experience I would avoid diphenhydramine the days you dose unless you dose in the morning and take diphenhydramine/dimenhydrinate later at night. They just overlap and it’s not productive IME. It’s only something I’ve used occasionally for sleep so easy to avoid.

NSAIDs I have used together with harmalas and been okay. I’ve used Naproxen but my guts can’t take it. I’m prescribed 200 mg/ day celecoxib. I stay off it as much as possible tbh but I was on that dose for months and used harmalas and pharma a good few times without anything negative. MDMA was also okay for me on NSAIDs.

The foods never bothered me aside from spices and stimulants. It’s easy enough to avoid super aged stuff anyway. I would avoid heavy/ spicy or very oily food though the days you day of. Those heavy foods do tend to cause more indigestion with harmalas.

The biggest thing to watch out for really is probly whatever meds your on, and stimulants like caffeine etc.
 
I also use kratom on and off. When I’m on kratom it’s only like 1-3 grams a night so it’s not much but still I don’t take it within maybe 12 hours of dosing harmalas. I have taken a gram or so a few times within hours and was okay.

Tribulus itself contains harmalas and is an MAOI. I have no experience with it personally or the other supplements you mentioned.
 


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