Home | MAOIs: action, risks and use
MAOIs: action, risks and use
MAOIs are a special group of drugs and substances that affect the neurotransmitters in our bodies and brains. They are mainly used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders and some neurological disorders. In addition, they play a role in psychedelic experiences, such as when using ayahuasca.
But using an MAOI carries risks, especially when it comes to nutrition. Combining these inhibitors with certain foods, such as aged cheese, can be dangerous. This is due to the influence of MAO enzymes on the substance tyramine in your blood.
What are MAOIs and what do they do?
MAO stands for monoamine oxidase and is an enzyme located in the body, especially in the brain, liver and intestines. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the breakdown of important neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.
The action of MAO ensures that these substances do not remain in excessive concentrations in the brain. This helps regulate mood, emotions and other neurological processes.
There are two types of MAO enzymes:
- MAO-A: This enzyme breaks down serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine and plays a role in mood and emotions.
- MAO-B: This enzyme is mainly involved in the breakdown of dopamine and has a more important role in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
When a person takes an MAOI, the MAO enzyme is temporarily or permanently turned off, keeping neurotransmitters active longer. This can help with depression, but also carries risks.
What are MAOIs and how do they work?
MAOIs are drugs or substances that block the action of the monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme. This makes neurotransmitters less likely to break down and their effects last longer. This can lead to an improvement in mood and increased energy.
There are two types of MAOIs:
- Reversible MAOIs – These temporarily inhibit the enzyme and allow it to function again after a period of time.
- Irreversible MAOIs – These switch off the enzyme completely and it can take up to two weeks for the body to produce new MAO enzymes.
Because irreversible MAOIs disable the enzyme for long periods, they have a greater risk of unwanted interactions with food and drugs.
Tyramine and nutrition: what to look out for?
One of the biggest risks when using an MAOI is the interaction with the substance tyramine.
Tyramine is a proteinaceous substance found in fermented and aged foods. Tyramine occurs naturally in products such as:
- Aged cheese
- Fermentation products (such as soy sauce and miso)
- Smoked and dried fish
- Fermented meats (such as salami and ham)
- Red wine and certain beers
Normally, the MAO enzyme breaks down this tyramine quickly, but when a person takes an MAOI, the body cannot process it properly. This leads to an increased amount of tyramine in the blood, which can cause serious side effects such as sudden high blood pressure and headaches.
For this reason, people taking an MAOI should pay attention to what she eats and drinks.
Why is tyramine dangerous with MAOIs?
If tyramine in your blood gets too high, it can lead to a dangerous rise in blood pressure, also called a hypertensive crisis. This can cause symptoms such as:
- Severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Sweating and dizziness
Because the body does not produce new MAO enzymes for irreversible MAO inhibitors until two weeks later, these effects can last for a long time. Therefore, it is advised to be extra careful with food during this period.
MAOIs and psychedelic substances
In addition to their medical application, MAOIs also play a role in certain psychedelic experiences. For example, when using ayahuasca, a South American brew that contains the hallucinogenic substance DMT.
Because the body normally breaks down DMT quickly through the oxidase MAO, in ayahuasca MAO inhibitors are added to prolong the psychedelic effect. This causes the DMT to remain active in the brain longer, causing intense visions.
How long do MAOIs stay in the body?
The time an MAOI remains active depends on the type:
- Reversible MAOIs work for about 24 hours and allow the body to recover quickly.
- Irreversible MAOIs can take up to two weeks for the body to fully produce new MAO enzymes.
To reduce the effects of an MAOI and avoid risks, it is important to wait until the body has fully recovered before eating foods containing tyramine again.
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