The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization

Abstract

Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychoactive brew of two main components. Its active agents are β-carboline and tryptamine derivatives. As a sacrament, ayahuasca is still a central element of many healing ceremonies in the Amazon Basin and its ritual consumption has become common among the mestizo populations of South America. Ayahuasca use amongst the indigenous people of the Amazon is a form of traditional medicine and cultural psychiatry. During the last two decades, the substance has become increasingly known among both scientists and laymen, and currently its use is spreading all over in the Western world. In the present paper we describe the chief characteristics of ayahuasca, discuss important questions raised about its use, and provide an overview of the scientific research supporting its potential therapeutic benefits. A growing number of studies indicate that the psychotherapeutic potential of ayahuasca is based mostly on the strong serotonergic effects, whereas the sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) agonist effect of its active ingredient dimethyltryptamine raises the possibility that the ethnomedical observations on the diversity of treated conditions can be scientifically verified. Moreover, in the right therapeutic or ritual setting with proper preparation and mindset of the user, followed by subsequent integration of the experience, ayahuasca has proven effective in the treatment of substance dependence. This article has two important take-home messages: (1) the therapeutic effects of ayahuasca are best understood from a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model, and (2) on the biological level ayahuasca may act against chronic low grade inflammation and oxidative stress via the Sig-1R which can explain its widespread therapeutic indications.

Psychological variables implied in the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca: A contextual approach

“…It is likely that variables such as individual differences, context of use, and the post session integration work are very important for the optimization of the therapeutic effects of ayahuasca. Other authors have emphasized the importance of the setting where ayahuasca is used in order to produce a therapeutic effect (Frecska et al, 2016). We think that previous work focusing on the openness to experience, ability of observation, a low interventionist but attentive guide and a post session integration process with a metacognitive and validation approach could improve the therapeutic effect of the substance.…”

Effects of ayahuasca on mental health and quality of life in naïve users: A longitudinal and cross-sectional study combination

“…DMT is a partial agonist of serotonin (5-HT) receptors 1 , but it can interact with other receptors as well (for a review see Carbonaro & Gatch 2 ). The hallucinogenic effects are primarily caused by the combination of the monoamine-oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibiting properties of β-carbolines and DMT, which results in the oral bioavailability of the latter 3 .Ayahuasca has been traditionally used in several communities of the Amazonia, but in recent decades its use has spread throughout the world 4 , first to urban areas of Brazil, where syncretic religions such as Santo Daime, União do Vegetal and Barquinha were established 5 , and then to other contexts, including several countries of the world where ayahuasca retreat centers have been developed and/or neoshamanic groups exist 6,7 .Concurrent with this increased public interest in ayahuasca ceremonies, there has been major interest from the academic and biomedical fields regarding its potential health effects 8,9 . Data from observational studies suggest that ayahuasca and its active ingredient DMT may have anxiolytic properties 10,11 .…”

“…Concurrent with this increased public interest in ayahuasca ceremonies, there has been major interest from the academic and biomedical fields regarding its potential health effects 8,9 . Data from observational studies suggest that ayahuasca and its active ingredient DMT may have anxiolytic properties 10,11 .…”

A Single Dose Of Ayahuasca Modulates Salivary Cortisol In Treatment-Resistant Depression

“…Ayahuasca is a decoction of a mixture of two plants: Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopses caapi (26). P. viridis contains the psychedelic tryptamine N,N-dimethyltryptamine (N,N-DMT), whose action is mediated by serotonin (5-HT2A) and sigma-1 receptors (27, 28, 29, 30). B. caapi contains β-carbolinic alkaloids (harmaline, harmine and tetrahydroharmine), which work as indirect monoaminergic agonist due to the inhibition of monoamine oxidase isoenzyme (MAO) (31, 32, 33).…”