Cebil & Yopo Seeds: Effects, History and Use

Last updated: June 2026
This guide is regularly reviewed with new insights on Anadenanthera.

Little Seeds, Big Effect

Cebil and Yopo are among the most captivating seeds in ethnobotany. They come from trees of the genus Anadenanthera and are naturally packed with tryptamine alkaloids, including bufotenine, DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. That has given them a history of thousands of years in South America, and they remain popular with present-day psychonauts and plant lovers alike. In this guide you will read where the seeds come from, what sets the two species apart, how they were used of old and how to grow them yourself.

Cebil (Anadenanthera colubrina)

The seeds of Anadenanthera colubrina have been known for generations under names such as Cebil, Vilca, Huilca or Cohoba. The tree grows across South America, from Argentina and Bolivia to parts of Brazil and Peru. Archaeological finds show the seeds have played a ritual role there for thousands of years: snuff trays and pipes have been recovered from caves and ancient sites. Peoples such as the Wichí and, further north, the Yanomami and Waika used Anadenanthera species in their ceremonies. Among the Yanomami and Waika the snuff is called Epena, to which ash was sometimes added for a stronger effect. Besides ritual use, folk medicine traditionally applied the bark, for instance for respiratory complaints.

Effects. Cebil seeds naturally contain the psychoactive alkaloids 5-MeO-DMT and bufotenine. In the tradition the effect is known as strongly visual: users describe intense, often black-and-white colours and geometric patterns, not unlike the motifs on pre-Columbian art. The experience is often compared to that of DMT or LSD, but shorter and more abrupt in onset.

Yopo (Anadenanthera peregrina)

Yopo (Anadenanthera peregrina) is the close relative of Cebil and occurs mainly in the north of South America, in the Orinoco basin and parts of the Amazon. Yopo, too, has a long ceremonial history among the indigenous peoples of that region.

The main active compound in Yopo is bufotenine, a tryptamine related to serotonin. Bufotenine is found in the leaves and bark, but the highest concentration is in the seeds. The seeds also contain DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. Those last two act relatively briefly, while bufotenine can stay with the user for two to three hours. Traditionally Yopo is insufflated, because DMT is barely orally active without a MAO inhibitor. The effect has both a physical and a mental side: it often begins with a tingling through the body and a raised heart rate, followed by visual impressions. With a larger amount people also report nausea, a heavy head or dizziness; some describe feeling reborn afterwards.

Cebil or Yopo: What Is the Difference?

The two trees closely resemble each other; the distinction lies mostly in details of bark, distribution and sensitivity to cold.

How Was It Traditionally Prepared?

In the tradition, Cebil and Yopo seeds are turned into a fine snuff. The seeds are roasted until they pop, after which the shell comes off and the inner part is heated further and ground. The seed powder is then mixed with an alkaline substance, traditionally plant ash or lime (calcium hydroxide). That alkaline addition is no detail: it makes the active alkaloids more available. With a splash of water it is kneaded into a small dough, which is dried and ground fine again. Traditionally the amount is around a few seeds per person. Because insufflation is fierce, the powder is often blown into another person's nose with a pipe rather than self-sniffed.

A Long Cultural History

What makes Anadenanthera so fascinating is its deep entwinement with the culture of South America. Different peoples knew the seeds under their own names and gave them a fixed place in their ceremonies. The rich history of ethnobotanical plants like these shows how closely humans and plants have been connected through time. Want to dive deeper? Read our blogs on the world of ethnobotany and on three sacred plants from the Amazon.

Growing Cebil and Yopo Seeds Yourself

Besides their psychoactive tradition, these seeds are simply lovely growing projects. Raising an Anadenanthera tree from seed works well if you follow a few steps.

Curious about these remarkable seeds? Browse our Yopo & Cebil seeds and the wider ethnobotanicals category. Interested in Amazon culture? Read also about the Huni Kuin of the Amazon.

Last updated: June 2026 | Next Level Smart