The Therapeutic Potential of Ayahuasca

Coe, Michael A.; McKenna, Dennis J.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-42307-4_7

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Ayahuasca is perhaps one of the better-known psychedelic-rich traditional medicines . This Amazonian tisane can be prepared by boiling the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of the shrub Psychotria viridis . The former is rich in β-carboline alkaloids, while the latter contains substantial amounts of DMT (Figure ).…”

Section: Potential Use In Medicinementioning

confidence: 99%

“…154 This Amazonian tisane can be prepared by boiling the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of the shrub Psychotria viridis. 155 The former is rich in βcarboline alkaloids, while the latter contains substantial amounts of DMT (Figure 1). 156 Ayahuasca is of significant interest to the medical community as this concoction has demonstrated powerful antiaddictive, antidepressant, and anxiolytic effects in both humans 10,53,157−160 and rodent models.…”

Section: ■ Potential Use In Medicinementioning

confidence: 99%

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Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

Cameron

Olson

2018

ACS Chem. Neurosci.

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Though relatively obscure, N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an important molecule in psychopharmacology as it is the archetype for all indole-containing serotonergic psychedelics. Its structure can be found embedded within those of better-known molecules such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin. Unlike the latter two compounds, DMT is ubiquitous, being produced by a wide variety of plant and animal species. It is one of the principal psychoactive components of ayahuasca, a tisane made from various plant sources that has been used for centuries. Furthermore, DMT is one of the few psychedelic compounds produced endogenously by mammals, and its biological function in human physiology remains a mystery. In this review, we cover the synthesis of DMT as well as its pharmacology, metabolism, adverse effects, and potential use in medicine. Finally, we discuss the history of DMT in chemical neuroscience and why this underappreciated molecule is so important to the field of psychedelic science.

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Section: Potential Use In Medicinementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: ■ Potential Use In Medicinementioning

confidence: 99%

Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

Cameron

Olson

2018

ACS Chem. Neurosci.

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“…Griseb. which had low‐to‐moderate use values and therapeutic redundancy are frequently used in ritual for ethnomedicinal purposes (Coe & McKenna, 2017; Luna, 1986) and as a result were cited by participants to experience high levels of use pressure. We acknowledge the high use pressure of medicinal plant species such as Nicotiana rustica L. and Banisteriopsis caapi Spruce ex.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogeny explains why less therapeutically redundant plant species are not necessarily facing greater use pressure

Coe

Gaoue

2021

People and Nature

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“… 23 – 30 In recent times its therapeutic potential has been increasingly documented, particularly for the alleviation of substance abuse, depression, and anxiety-related disorders. 31 – 37 …”

Section: Therapeutic Use Of Ayahuascamentioning

confidence: 99%

Within-treatment changes in a novel addiction treatment program using traditional Amazonian medicine

O’Shaughnessy

Berlowitz

Rodd

et al. 2021

Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology

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Aims: The therapeutic use of psychedelics is regaining scientific momentum, but similarly psychoactive ethnobotanical substances have a long history of medical (and other) uses in indigenous contexts. Here we aimed to evaluate patient outcomes in a residential addiction treatment center that employs a novel combination of Western and traditional Amazonian methods. Methods: The study was observational, with repeated measures applied throughout treatment. All tests were administered in the center, which is located in Tarapoto, Peru. Data were collected between 2014 and 2015, and the study sample consisted of 36 male inpatients who were motivated to seek treatment and who entered into treatment voluntarily. Around 58% of the sample was from South America, 28% from Europe, and the remaining 14% from North America. We primarily employed repeated measures on a psychological test battery administered throughout treatment, measuring perceived stress, craving frequency, mental illness symptoms, spiritual well-being, and physical and emotional health. Addiction severity was measured on intake, and neuropsychological performance was assessed in a subsample from intake to at least 2 months into treatment. Results: Statistically significant and clinically positive changes were found across all repeated measures. These changes appeared early in the treatment and were maintained over time. Significant improvements were also found for neuropsychological functioning. Conclusion: These results provide evidence for treatment safety in a highly novel addiction treatment setting, while also suggesting positive therapeutic effects.

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The Therapeutic Potential of Ayahuasca

Cited by 12 publications

References 25 publications

Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

Phylogeny explains why less therapeutically redundant plant species are not necessarily facing greater use pressure

Within-treatment changes in a novel addiction treatment program using traditional Amazonian medicine

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