Effect of Ritualistic Consumption of Ayahuasca on Hepatic Function in Chronic Users

Introduction

Ayahuasca is a traditional decoction prepared from the liana Banisteriopsis caapi and the shrub Psychotria viridis; the mixture combines β-carboline monoamine oxidase inhibitors (harmine, harmaline, tetrahydroharmine) from B. caapi with the hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) from P. viridis. Prior research has established the pharmacology and acute subjective effects of ayahuasca, and preclinical work has suggested both potential therapeutic actions and possible cytotoxic effects of β-carbolines on liver cells. Because the liver is the main organ for metabolism and detoxification of orally ingested xenobiotics, concerns have been raised about whether chronic ritual use—common among members of ayahuasca churches who may consume the beverage for years—could impair hepatic function. Sueli and colleagues set out to evaluate biochemical markers of liver and renal function in long-term ritualistic users. Specifically, the study measured standard serum indicators (including ALT, AST, bilirubin, creatinine, urea, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and GGT) before and at multiple time points after a typical ritual dose of ayahuasca in volunteers who had consumed the beverage at least twice a month for one year or more. The intent was to determine whether chronic, religious-context consumption of ayahuasca is associated with hepatic dysfunction or acute changes during the immediate post-ingestion period.