Anxiety DisordersDepressive DisordersPTSDSubstance Use Disorders (SUD)Neuroimaging & Brain MeasuresBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD)Personality DisordersAyahuascaLSDPsilocybin

Ayahuasca: pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential

This review (2016) examines the pharmacology and neuroscience of ayahuasca, and preliminary findings which indicate the psychological mechanisms associated with its therapeutic benefits are similar to those of mindfulness-based therapy. Ayahuasca appears to enhance self-acceptance and decentering, which converges on evidence from neuroimaging studies that show activation in areas associated with emotional processing and memory formation, thereby enabling individuals to review emotional events with increased vividness and a heightened sense of “reality”. This suggests potential to treat trauma-related conditions and other disorders like borderline personality disorder.

Authors

  • Jordi Riba
  • Amanda Feilding
  • Matilde Elices

Published

Brain Research Bulletin
meta Study

Abstract

Ayahuasca is the Quechua name for a tea obtained from the vine Banisteriopsis caapi, and used for ritual purposes by the indigenous populations of the Amazon. The use of a variation of the tea that combines B. caapi with the leaves of the shrub Psychotria viridis has experienced unprecedented expansion worldwide for its psychotropic properties. This preparation contains the psychedelic 5-HT2A receptor agonist N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) from P. viridis, plus β-carboline alkaloids with monoamine-oxidase-inhibiting properties from B. caapi. Acute administration induces a transient modified state of consciousness characterized by introspection, visions, enhanced emotions and recollection of personal memories. A growing body of evidence suggests that ayahuasca may be useful to treat substance use disorders, anxiety and depression. Here we review the pharmacology and neuroscience of ayahuasca, and the potential psychological mechanisms underlying its therapeutic potential. We discuss recent findings indicating that ayahuasca intake increases certain mindfulness facets related to acceptance and to the ability to take a detached view of one’s own thoughts and emotions. Based on the available evidence, we conclude that ayahuasca shows promise as a therapeutic tool by enhancing self-acceptance and allowing safe exposure to emotional events. We postulate that ayahuasca could be of use in the treatment of impulse-related, personality and substance use disorders and also in the handling of trauma. More research is needed to assess the full potential of ayahuasca in the treatment of these disorders.

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Research Summary of 'Ayahuasca: pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential'

Introduction

The paper reviews ayahuasca, an Amazonian plant brew traditionally prepared from Banisteriopsis caapi and often combined with Psychotria viridis, and traces its cultural persistence and recent global spread. Earlier ethnographic and historical material shows that ayahuasca use survived in the Upper Amazon and later spread beyond indigenous contexts through mestizo vegetalistas and Brazilian syncretic religious movements, contributing to current mainstream and international use. Domínguez-Clavé and colleagues set out to synthesise evidence on the chemistry, pharmacology, neurophysiology and potential therapeutic applications of ayahuasca. The review integrates molecular and cellular data, animal and human experimental findings, neuroimaging and electrophysiology, plus emerging clinical and observational reports to evaluate mechanisms that could underlie reported benefits for substance use disorders, anxiety and depression, and to identify research gaps.

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Study Details

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