Reproductive effects of the psychoactive beverage ayahuasca in male Wistar rats after chronic exposure

Santos, Alana de Fátima Andrade; Vieira, Afrânio Márcio Corrêa; Pic‐Taylor, Aline; Caldas, Eloísa Dutra

doi:10.1016/j.bjp.2017.01.006

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…61 Surprisingly, despite eating less food than vehicle-treated controls, the DMT-treated animals gained significantly more weight (Figure S3b). This contrasted with a previous report of chronic ayahuasca administration in rats, 60 and the reason for the discrepancy is not immediately obvious. Metabolomics experiments revealed that serum levels of most steroids remained unchanged following psychedelic microdosing.…”

Section: ■ Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…After correcting for multiple hypothesis testing, male rats administered chronic, intermittent low doses of DMT exhibited a trend toward eating less food (p = 0.13, Figure S3c). Similar effects have been observed following administration of ayahuasca 60 and various serotonergic agonists. 61 Surprisingly, despite eating less food than vehicle-treated controls, the DMT-treated animals gained significantly more weight (Figure S3b).…”

Section: ■ Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

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Chronic, Intermittent Microdoses of the Psychedelic N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Produce Positive Effects on Mood and Anxiety in Rodents

Cameron

Benson

DeFelice

et al. 2019

ACS Chem. Neurosci.

122

118

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Drugs capable of ameliorating symptoms of depression and anxiety while also improving cognitive function and sociability are highly desirable. Anecdotal reports have suggested that serotonergic psychedelics administered in low doses on a chronic, intermittent schedule, so-called "microdosing", might produce beneficial effects on mood, anxiety, cognition, and social interaction. Here, we test this hypothesis by subjecting male and female Sprague Dawley rats to behavioral testing following the chronic, intermittent administration of low doses of the psychedelic N,Ndimethyltryptamine (DMT). The behavioral and cellular effects of this dosing regimen were distinct from those induced following a single high dose of the drug. We found that chronic, intermittent, low doses of DMT produced an antidepressantlike phenotype and enhanced fear extinction learning without impacting working memory or social interaction. Additionally, male rats treated with DMT on this schedule gained a significant amount of body weight during the course of the study. Taken together, our results suggest that psychedelic microdosing may alleviate symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders, though the potential hazards of this practice warrant further investigation.

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Section: ■ Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: ■ Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Chronic, Intermittent Microdoses of the Psychedelic N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Produce Positive Effects on Mood and Anxiety in Rodents

Cameron

Benson

DeFelice

et al. 2019

ACS Chem. Neurosci.

122

118

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Some of the symptoms reported after constant ayahuasca consumption are feelings of confidence and optimism and, on a psychiatric level, a reduction on the lack of concentration, sleep deprivation, irritability, and depression [25,105]. In a recent study, whose main goal was to understand the possible reproductive effects of the beverage in male Wistar rats [106], researchers used the same dose (1×) and doses 2, 4, and 8 times higher (2×, 4×, 8×) than the dose used in a ritual. The content of the 1× dose was 0.146 mg/mL of DMT, 0.12 mg/mL of harmaline, and 1.56 mg/mL of harmine.…”

Section: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies Of Ayahuasca Compoundsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxicological Aspects and Determination of the Main Components of Ayahuasca: A Critical Review

et al. 2019

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Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage prepared traditionally from a mixture of the leaves and stems of Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi, respectively, being originally consumed by indigenous Amazonian tribes for ritual and medicinal purposes. Over the years, its use has spread to other populations as a means to personal growth and spiritual connection. Also, the recreational use of its isolated compounds has become prominent. The main compounds of this tea-like preparation are N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), β-Carbolines, and harmala alkaloids, such as harmine, tetrahydroharmine, and harmaline. The latter are monoamine-oxidase inhibitors and are responsible for DMT psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects on the central nervous system. Although consumers defend its use, its metabolic effects and those on the central nervous system are not fully understood yet. The majority of studies regarding the effects of this beverage and of its individual compounds are based on in vivo experiments, clinical trials, and even surveys. This paper will not only address the toxicological aspects of the ayahuasca compounds but also perform a comprehensive and critical review on the analytical methods available for their determination in biological and non-biological specimens, with special focus on instrumental developments and sample preparation approaches.

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“…Traditionally, ayahuasca tea is a concoction of Banisteriopsis caapi vine with Psychotria viridis leaves [4]. The former contains beta-carboline alkaloids, i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and beta-carbolines in plants used to prepare ayahuasca beverages by means of solid-phase extraction and gas-chromatography–mass spectrometry

et al. 2020

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The goal of the present work was the development of a method to determine beta-carbolines, i.e., tetrahydroharmine, harmine, and harmaline, together with N,N-dimethyltryptamine present in five different commercial tea extracts [Banisteriopsis caapi, Psychotria viridis, Peganum harmala, Mimosa tenuiflora and DC AB (commercial name)] which are used to prepare the ritualistic Ayahuasca tea beverages, that exerts psychoactive effects on the brain, due to interactions between these compounds. The analytes were extracted and preconcentrated by an optimized solid-phase extraction procedure and analysis was performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Also, the optimization of the solid-phase extraction procedure was accomplished by evaluating different elution solvents and different proportions. Linearity was established from 0.2 to 20 µg/mL for all compounds, except for N,N-dimethyltryptamine (0.04 to 5 µg/mL), with determination coefficients above 0.99 for all analytes. The limits of quantification achieved for N,N-dimethyltryptamine and beta carbolines were 0.04 and 0.2 µg/mL, respectively. Recoveries ranged from 44 to 79%. Lastly, intra-and inter-day precision and accuracy values were considered acceptable, in agreement with the chosen guidelines. This is the first method that determined both beta-carbolines and N,N-dimethyltryptamine present in commercially available tea extracts using GC-MS.

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Reproductive effects of the psychoactive beverage ayahuasca in male Wistar rats after chronic exposure

Cited by 16 publications

References 48 publications

Chronic, Intermittent Microdoses of the Psychedelic N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Produce Positive Effects on Mood and Anxiety in Rodents

Chronic, Intermittent Microdoses of the Psychedelic N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Produce Positive Effects on Mood and Anxiety in Rodents

Toxicological Aspects and Determination of the Main Components of Ayahuasca: A Critical Review

Determination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and beta-carbolines in plants used to prepare ayahuasca beverages by means of solid-phase extraction and gas-chromatography–mass spectrometry

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