This article summarizes findings from peer-reviewed studies. Psychedelics can strongly affect the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Nothing here substitutes for professional medical guidance.
Coffee’s primary active compound, caffeine, is a mild central-nervous-system stimulant. Coffee contains polyphenols and β-carbolines. These compounds show weak, reversible inhibition of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) in vitro (PMID 16423318). Because both ayahuasca and certain antidepressants depend on MAO modulation, this overlap matters.
Ayahuasca combines DMT with β-carbolines such as harmine and harmaline that reversibly inhibit MAO-A (PMID 35664562). MAO-A inhibition allows DMT to remain active when taken orally.
MAO-A inhibition means other MAO-interacting compounds—including caffeine—could in theory amplify blood-pressure or heart-rate increases. A published case report of hypertensive crisis under pharmaceutical MAOIs with high caffeine intake shows that risk. Even if ayahuasca’s inhibition is weaker and shorter-lived, the risk is still significant.
Modern psilocybin studies by Johns Hopkins, NIH, and others offer specific guidance. They typically tell participants to keep their usual small morning coffee if they are habitual users. Participants should avoid extra caffeine for 6 hours before and after dosing (PMID 39073047). The goal is stable physiology, not full abstinence.
There are no controlled human trials directly comparing psilocybin + caffeine versus psilocybin alone. An OSF experiment was preregistered. It is titled “The Effects of a Low Psilocybin Dose With and Without Caffeine”. The results have not yet been published.
Naturalistic-use surveys report about 15% of users drink coffee during psilocybin experiences (PMID 37531611). No outcome difference has been confirmed.
Systematic reviews of microdosing trials note that caffeine is sometimes used as an active placebo, not a synergist (PMID 38249314). Evidence for cognitive or mood benefits from combining caffeine + sub-perceptual psilocybin doses is absent.
| Variable | Coffee / Caffeine Effect | Psychedelic Context | Combined Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Pressure | ↑ (Transient) | Ayahuasca ↑ / Psilocybin ↑ modestly | Possible additive ↑ |
| Heart Rate | ↑ Slight to Moderate | ↑ Mild to Moderate | Additive risk for tachycardia |
| MAO Activity | Weak reversible inhibition | Ayahuasca = strong temporary MAO-A block | Theoretical interaction |
| Anxiety / Arousal | May increase | Can increase at onset | Avoid if prone to anxiety |
| Sleep Interference | Common after caffeine | Post-session sleep often light | Combine = less rest |
| Well-Supported | Speculative / Unproven |
|---|---|
| Coffee mildly inhibits MAO-A/B in vitro | Caffeine changes ayahuasca subjective effects |
| Ayahuasca’s β-carbolines inhibit MAO-A in vivo | Coffee enhances psilocybin creativity or focus |
| Caffeine + MAOI → hypertension in case reports | Microdosing psilocybin + coffee is beneficial |
| Psilocybin trials limit caffeine around sessions | Any unique synergy between coffee and DMT / psilocybin |
Our friends over at Agape Church in Conroe, Texas have received traditional training by a Colombian medicine to properly and safely facilitate these sacred ayahuasca ceremonies. And, they have been safely facilitating psylocibin ceremonies for many years. Agape Church has served over 1,500 people since 2019. Participants have traveled from all over the country and world to attend their retreats.
Agape’s voice: “Agape Church is an interfaith spiritual community that welcomes individuals from all paths. We host
enriching spiritual retreats designed to foster personal growth, community connection, and a deeper
understanding of diverse spiritual traditions.
Celebrating diversity in all forms, Agape Church warmly welcomes everyone, inviting you to explore a deeper connection with your Soul, Mind, and Body, transcending boundaries of religion, race, and personal backgrounds.”
Agape Church is a registered 508c1a non-profit that has listed their listed entheogenic practices to legally facilitate these ceremonies. You can learn more about their location, retreats and more on their website: https://www.agape4smb.com
Read Part 2: ‘Ayahuasca Timing & Risks Guidelines’ HERE
Read Part 3: ‘Coffee + Psilocybin: Microdosing, Macrodosing & Neurochemistry’ HERE
Serving: The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, New Caney, Humble, Porter, and the greater North Houston area.
Codec Coffee is a veteran-owned coffee company based in Houston, Texas.
