Besides mushrooms and individual herbs, primitive cultures around the world used various blends to ensure better “contact with ancestral spirits” or “gods.” One of the most widely known remedies of this type is ayahuasca. Similar blends are also being created today, including Changa, the herbal equivalent of DMT. How does Changa work? What is it used for? What effects can it produce? I discuss this in this article. I invite you to read on.
What is Changa?
Before we move on to the effects of use, I will first answer the question: what is Changa? Like the aforementioned ayahuasca, it’s a mixture of herbs that ultimately contributes to the production of DMT, though it’s worth noting that it often contains other plants with psychoactive properties. Unlike ayahuasca, however, changa is smoked. Due to its properties, it’s considered a drug and illegal in the vast majority of countries, including Poland.
It originates from Australia and is believed to have been developed in the 1990s. Although much younger and “less traditional,” it has gained a wide fan base, mainly due to its ease of preparation. It is most often made from a combination of two plants: Psychotria viridis, used in the preparation of ayahuasca with a high concentration of DMT, and Banisteriopsis caapi, a vine containing a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
Changa is often enriched with various herbs, from tobacco to damiana, passionflower, and sage. For many “connoisseurs” of such blends, this is an interesting alternative not only due to its longer duration of action compared to pure crystal (30-60 minutes vs. 10-20 minutes), but also its milder effect on the body.
DMT – an important ingredient in Changi
An important ingredient in Changi is DMT – Dimethyltryptamine. This compound is considered one of the most potent hallucinogens currently in existence. Interestingly, it occurs in limited quantities in the human body and in many animal species. Its chemical structure is similar to serotonin, which causes its receptors to react strongly to this substance.
Besides causing hallucinations with both eyes closed and open, it is also credited with transcendental properties (it is sometimes described as the God particle or, as Rick Strassman called it, the Soul Molecule). Accounts from people who have experienced the effects of DMT indicate that they have undergone a lasting spiritual transformation and a completely changed perspective on the world, yet are unable to fully describe what happened during a DMT “trip.”
For these reasons, both ayahuasca and Chang’a are associated with a certain mysticism. Unlike psychedelic infusions, however, smoking herbs doesn’t require special rituals and is—theoretically—more accessible to a wider audience.
Uses of Changa
Changa is used for both spiritual and recreational purposes. According to those who have experienced it, the way Changa works allows for deep relaxation and solace, which is preceded by intense visions. These visions, however, are intended to stimulate reflection. On the other hand, it has been suggested that some people derive their benefits solely from the blend’s relaxing properties. This blend may also be useful for somatic ailments, as discussed below.
Properties and Effects of Changa
The full properties of this blend are still being explored. It is known that Changa induces quite strong psychedelic effects due to its DMT content. It should also be noted that results may vary depending on individual tolerance to the blend’s ingredients, as well as the composition of the final product itself.
I also mentioned its potential use for somatic ailments above. This is evidenced by the story of a 57-year-old man who, in 2019, after numerous battles with fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain, decided to try Changa. After two sessions, his pain disappeared for two weeks, and he was able to return to normal functioning. This suggests that Changa has a potentially positive effect on the nervous system. For these reasons, it is even considered a treatment for stroke survivors.
What effects do people experience on Changa? Distorted perception of time and space, increased sensitivity to stimuli, euphoric states, a stream of thoughts, and ultimately – derealization. However, there may also be negative experiences and certain risks.
Side Effects of Changa
As I’ve emphasized several times in this text, Changa is still a relatively poorly researched drug, mainly due to the fact that it’s considered a pure drug. For this reason, it’s difficult to predict its effects, which in itself poses a risk. There are also some documented side effects of Chang, including:
- anxiety,
- paranoia,
- increased anxiety and fear,
- lack of motor coordination,
- Communication disorders.
Changa – an interesting thread in psychedelic research?
Psychoactive substances have been undergoing a renaissance of sorts recently. Psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, peyote, DMT, including ayahuasca and Changa are under the microscope of scientists. Although less popular than the others, it is also attracting the interest of researchers, who see these compounds as allies in the fight against personality and emotional disorders. However, it should still be remembered that these substances are banned in the vast majority of countries. Nevertheless, it’s worth following the research on them.