Changa is a smoking mixture containing similar ingredients to the Shaman's medicinal brew Ayahuasca.
Although there are many varieties of Changa, like Ayahuasca the key active ingredients are consistently DMT and an MAOI.
The effects of Changa are considered by many to be more grounded than just DMT freebase smoked on its own. The effects have been reported as being similar to a short Ayahuasca trip. The duration of effects is slightly longer than that of freebase DMT, with reports of trips lasting up to 12 minutes. There have also been reports of Changa being used in conjunction with Ayahuasca to intensify and then later revisit the experience.
Changa is a lot easier to use than freebase DMT, and can be smoked through an ordinary pipe or water pipe. This is especially important, as DMT freebase can be typically difficult to vaporise on its own.
The percentages of DMT and MAOI concentration in the mixture are variable. A typical mixture would be characterised by breakthrough experiences at a dosage of approximately one pipe. There have also been reports of breakthroughs occurring with Changa that has been rolled into joints.
The inclusion of alkaloids that can act as a MAOI in Changa means that certain precautions should be taken before consumption. While MAOI interactions with the alkaloids derived from Banisteriopsis Caapi and Peganum Harmala are reported to be not as common as with pharmaceutical MAOI's, it is still worthwhile to be aware of the various interactions and to take precautions before consuming any MAOI.
Changa would be considered illegal in any country where DMT has been scheduled, and therefore is likely to be confined to and consumed only where it is legal to do so. Religious use of Changa in rituals similar to those that use Ayahuasca as a sacrament may be exempt in some countries from the legal status of DMT.
The fact that Changa is smoked may make it easier for uninformed individuals to persecute the use of Ayahuasca based plant teachers as a medicine or sacrament. While freebase DMT seems to be very different from the experience of Ayahuasca, Changa has more of a spiritual and medicinal place in the world of Entheogens.
Because DMT is not found in a strong enough concentration in any raw plant material, the DMT is typically infused into a mixture of dried herbs. Once the desired mixture of herbs has been prepared, it's combined with a solution of DMT and a suitable solvent. The solvent is then allowed to evaporate, leaving the DMT infused with the smoking mix. Ethanol and Naptha can both be used as the solvent.
Any MAOI properties of the herbs will potentiate the effect of the DMT experience. Therefore less DMT is required.
Infusion seems to be a very efficient way to vaporise DMT freebase.
There have been various reports as to what can be/has been used in the herbal infusion:
| Banisteriopsis Caapi | This is probably one of the key ingredients in Changa due to its MAOI properties. The leaves may constitute the majority of the dried herb infusion. Smoking the dried leaves can potentiate tryptamines in much lower doses than those required for oral ingestion. Vine leaves alone may account for the considerable difference in effect between Changa and freebase DMT smoked alone. Because the leaves can be so variable in their strength, small amounts of this vine's bark may also be included to boost the MAOI effect. |
| Calea Zacatechichi | Also known as "Dream Herb", Calea is believed to increase lucid dreams. It's also reported to increase one's ability to recall the content of dreams. Due to the speculated relationship between DMT and dream-like states, the Dream Herb may have a positive synergy. |
| Heimia Salicifolia | Heimia's effects seem to be controversial, due to conflicts between historical information and modern bio-assays. However it is reported that if activated properly, through fermentation during drying, Heimia can enhance the effects of various other actives. Effects of Heimia include an increase in vision and hearing ability, and audio hallucinations. |
| Justicia Pectoralis | Used by South American Indians, Justica Pectoralis (Mashi Hiri) contains the alkaloids Betaine and Umbelliferone. Dried Mashi Hiri contains coumarins, which give the Changa a smoother taste and a nice smell. There have also been reports that Justica Pectoralis can "smooth" the DMT experience. |
| Passiflora Incarnata | A mild MAOI. Probably used in place of Banisteriopsis Caapi when it's not available. |
| Peganum Harmala | Syrian Rue seeds may also be a component of Changa, but are probably only used when vine leaves are not available. When crushed, the seeds of Peganum Harmala can be smoked for an MAOI effect. Crushed Syrian Rue seeds don't burn easily which would have a negative effect on the usability of any smoking mixture. Even though the beta-carboline content per weight is much higher in Syrian Rue seeds, there has been reports claiming Banisteriopsis Caapi's beta-carbolines are more potent when smoked. |
| Salvia Divinorum | If you dare! :). Salvia does add an interesting and individual edge to the experience. The effect heavily depends on the proportion to which the leaves are included. |
| Turnera Diffusa | Damiana's inclusion in some varieties of Changa has been reported. Whether Damiana has any activity is a subject of debate. If nothing else, Damiana would add a unique smell and taste to any smoking mixture. |