Changa (drug)

Not to be confused with Changaa.

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 purportedly named and developed by Australian Julian Palmer in 2003–2004.[4][5] As a principle, however, the basic idea of simultaneous smoking of Harmala alkaloids and DMT, and subsequent altering of effects and duration is documented as long ago as 1994.[6] The alteration of smoked DMT effects by smoking B. caapi, separately is reported by Gracie and Zarkov in 1983.[7] Palmer claims the name came to him during an ayahuasca session.[8] From the mid-2000s, Palmer promoted the blend internationally, introducing it at festivals and gatherings across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.[4][9] The 2008 Boom Festival in Portugal is often cited as a key moment in changa's spread beyond Australia.[4][10]

The blend gained popularity due to its ease of use compared to vaporising freebase DMT, as well as its longer duration of effect (approximately 10–20 minutes).[11]

Etymology

The name "changa" was coined by Palmer, who has said it came to him during an ayahuasca session.[8] The intended Australian pronunciation is /ˈtʃæŋɡɑː/ (CHANG-ah), though regional variations exist, with European users typically pronouncing it CHUN-gah and North American users CHARN-gah.[12] The word coincidentally has meanings in other languages, including Punjabi (an expression of approval) and Spanish (slang for a female monkey).[12]

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.[13] Doses vary substantially from one sample to the next depending on ingredients and ratios.[12]

Palmer's "classic" formulation consists of:[12]

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.[12]

Australian electronic trio Pnau titled their November 2017 album Changa in homage to the substance.[14] 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.[15]

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 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. ^ 'The essential psychedelic guide' by Turner, D. M, 1994 San Francisco, CA, Panther Press, p.80 ; https://archive.org/details/essentialpsyched0000turn
  7. ^ Gracie and Zarkov 'Notes from the Underground' 1983, San Francisco; https://www.librarything.com/work/14502468/t/Notes-From-Underground-A-039-039-Gracie-and-Zarkov-039-039-Reader-Vol-1-Preliminary-Edition ; https://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/notes_from_underground.pdf
  8. ^ a b Revell, Jack (11 November 2020). "Meet the Man Who Brought DMT to the Masses". Vice. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  9. ^ Palmer, Julian (2014). Articulations: On the Utilisation and Meanings of Psychedelics. Julian Palmerisms. ISBN 9780992552800.
  10. ^ Gomes Batista, Henrique (2 May 2019). "CHANGA, A NOVA DROGA QUE ACENDEU O ALERTA DA POLÍCIA". Época. Rio de Janeiro. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  11. ^ Lyden, John C.; Mazur, Eric Michael (2015). The Routledge Companion to Religion and Popular Culture. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. ISBN 9781317531067.
  12. ^ a b c d e Palmer, Julian (23 September 2019). "7 Things Many People Don't Know About Changa". julianpalmerism.com.
  13. ^ St John, Graham (2015). Mystery School in Hyperspace: A Cultural History of DMT. Berkeley: Evolver Editions. ISBN 978-1583947326.
  14. ^ McGrane, Danielle (2017-11-09). "Pnau release drug-inspired album". The West Australian. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  15. ^ "Everything in Between – HEAVY Cinema review". HEAVY Cinema. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
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