The Kebilsphere

This naturally occuring compound is found in literally thousands of South American plants and in the central nervous systems of animals, including humans. Ayahuasca is brewed with two ingredients, the actual Ayahuasca plant, and a DMT containing plant such as Chaliponga and thousands of other possible plants. It is the part of Ayahuasca responsible for the hallucinations and visions induced by drinking this mixture.

When used alone, DMT is not active when taken orally as it is quickly broken down in the gut by the enzyme Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) and thus it is usually snorted or smoked (although many people would say that smoking DMT is sacrilegious and an insult to the jungle). MAO can be blocked by various plants that contain MAO inhibiors (such as the Ayahuasca vine) and compounds such as harmaline, and various antidepressants that are specific inhibitors of MAO, which is why Ayahuasca can be drunk.

DMT is the simplest hallucinogenic tryptamine, it is very powerful and very short acting (unless taken with an MAOI). People compare it to be blown out of a psychedelic cannon.