Hochstein and Paradies

Hochstein and Paradies (1957) suggest that, in addition, the alkaloids harmaline and d-tetrahydroharmine, discovered in B. caapi, "may have substantial psychotomimetic activity in their own right."... 

Hochstein and Paradies determined in 1957 that results from ingestion of yagi (without other botanical additives) came mainly from interaction of three molecules—harmaline, harmine and -1,2,3,4-tetrahydroharmine. These findings have been accepted since then by investigators of this plant family. 

The structure of harmine was known by this time (Fischer 1899 Perkin Robinson 1919A Perkin Robinson 19193), and the compound had been synthesized in 1927 (Manske etaL 1927 Spath Lederer 1930A Spath Lederer 19303). In 1957, Hochstein and Paradies isolated from Peruvian B. caapi harmine as well as harmaline and i leptaflorine or tetrahydroharmine (Hochstein Paradies 1957). These compounds were also found in an ayahuasca potion from Peril, and harmaline and (sf-leptaflorine (TetraHydroHarmine) were proposed to be psychotropic compounds in this ayahuasca potion. In 1969, the stable P-carboline alkaloid harmine was found in quantities similar to fresh material in Spruce s original type collection of Banisteriopsis caapi from 1852 (Schultes etaL 1969) Rivier and Lindgren found the same three p-carbolines as major alkaloids of Banisteriopsis caapi (Rivier Lindgren... 

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