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(Pertinent to our topic are those hypertensive crisis specifically resulting from an MAOI drug & food interaction)

A hypertensive crisis can result from a number of reasons including combination of MAO inhibitors with certain drugs and foods. It is important to understand and to be able to recognize as it can be life threatening.

It is a situation when there is a severe increase in blood pressure. This can directly lead to a coma or a stroke or can damage other internal organs.

Recognition and prompt medical treatment is required.

As a simple food interaction, this is less likely to result from the ayahuasca alkaloids than it is from the use of prescription MAO inhibitors for oral potentiation of tryptamines. A huge list of foods and drugs to avoid exists for this latter situation.

Commonly reported symptoms:
(These may or may not be present in all individuals)

• Headache
• Seizure
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling or edema (fluid building up in tissues)
• Elevated blood pressure
• Severe headache
• Headache with confusion and blurred vision
• Severe anxiety or agitation
• Severe chest pain
• Stiff or sore neck
• Back pain
• Enlarged pupils
• Fast or slow heartbeat
• Increased light sensitivity of eyes
• Sweating (sometimes with fever or clammy, cold skin)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unresponsiveness
• Sometimes beligerancy can accompany the above.

Appropriate response:

If a hypertensive crisis is suspected the victim should not eat or drink anything. They should lie down until they can be driven to a hospital for emergency treatment.


Reference for more information:

See a review by J. Varon & P.E. Marik (2000) Chest 118: 214-27. The diagnosis and management of hypertensive crises.