Changa (drug)

Not to be confused with Changaa.
Changa blend
Changa smoking blend (left) and DMT freebase (right)

Changa (/ˈtʃæŋɡɑː/) is a blend of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) mixed with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The addition of MAOIs extends the DMT experience in duration and intensity when compared with smoking DMT freebase alone.[1] Typically, extracts from DMT-containing plants are combined with a blend of different MAOI-containing herbs, such as the ayahuasca vine, and/or leaf or harmala alkaloids from Peganum harmala ("Syrian rue") to create a mix that is 25 to 50% DMT.[2][3]

History

Changa was named and developed by Australian Julian Palmer in 2003–2004.[4][5] From the mid-2000s, Palmer promoted the blend internationally, introducing it at festivals and gatherings across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.[4][6] The 2008 Boom Festival in Portugal is often cited as a key moment in changa's spread beyond Australia.[4][7]

Etymology

The name "Changa" is attributed to Palmer, who has said it came to him during an ayahuasca session.[4][8]

The intended pronunciation is /ˈtʃæŋɡɑː/ (CHANG-ah), though regional variations exist.[9]

Composition

Changa consists of two primary components: dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), typically derived from plant sources such as Banisteriopsis caapi or Peganum harmala (Syrian rue).[4]

Blend compositions vary widely, with DMT concentrations typically ranging from 25 to 50 percent.[10] Doses vary substantially from one sample to the next depending on ingredients and ratios.[9]

Palmer's "classic" formulation consists of:[9]

Palmer has noted that while many herbs can be used, the MAOI component "activates" other herbs in the blend, and new additions may have unpredictable effects.[9]

Australian Electronic dance music (EDM) trio Pnau titled their November 2017 album Changa in homage to the substance.[11] It reached a peak of number 11 on the ARIA charts.

The 2022 Australian film Everything in Between opens with a scene in which the protagonist smokes what is implied to be changa, leading into a hallucinogenic experience.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Changa - DMT-Nexus Wiki". wiki.dmt-nexus.me.
  2. ^ St. John, Graham (2015). Mystery School in Hyperspace: A Cultural History of DMT. Berkeley, USA: Evolver Editions. ISBN 978-1583947326.
  3. ^ Cusack, Carole; Norman, Alex (2012). Handbook of New Religions and Cultural Production. Leiden, Netherlands: BRILL. ISBN 9789004221871.
  4. ^ a b c d e St John, Graham (2017). "Aussiewaska: A Cultural History of Changa and Ayahuasca Analogues in Australia". In Labate, Beatriz; Cavnar, Clancy; Gearin, Alex (eds.). The World Ayahuasca Diaspora: Reinventions and Controversies. Routledge. pp. 143–164. ISBN 978-1-4724-6663-1.
  5. ^ Berger, Markus (2017). Changa: Die rauchbare Evolution des Ayahuasca. Nachtschatten Verlag. pp. 10–11. ISBN 978-3037883563.
  6. ^ Palmer, Julian (2014). Articulations: On the Utilisation and Meanings of Psychedelics. Julian Palmerisms. ISBN 9780992552800.
  7. ^ Gomes Batista, Henrique (2 May 2019). "CHANGA, A NOVA DROGA QUE ACENDEU O ALERTA DA POLÍCIA". Época. Rio de Janeiro. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  8. ^ Revell, Jack (11 November 2020). "Meet the Man Who Brought DMT to the Masses". Vice. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d Palmer, Julian (23 September 2019). "7 Things Many People Don't Know About Changa". julianpalmerism.com.
  10. ^ St John, Graham (2015). Mystery School in Hyperspace: A Cultural History of DMT. Berkeley: Evolver Editions. ISBN 978-1583947326.
  11. ^ McGrane, Danielle (2017-11-09). "Pnau release drug-inspired album". The West Australian. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  12. ^ "Everything in Between – HEAVY Cinema review". HEAVY Cinema. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changa_(drug)