Effects of Ayahuasca and its Alkaloids on Drug Dependence: A Systematic Literature Review of Quantitative Studies in Animals and Humans
This systematic literature review (2016) examined the effects of ayahuasca across animal and human studies which investigated behaviors and symptoms associated with drug-related disorders. Results suggest that ayahuasca and its alkaloids which include harmine and harmaline may have antiaddictive properties that can alleviate substance dependence by means of modulating dopaminergic neurotransmission. The lack of clinically controlled studies, however, makes it difficult to determine if observed health improvements are related to drug effects, to the religious environment and culture, or the combination of both factors.
Authors
- Rafael dos Santos
- Felipe Osório
- Rosimeire Sanches
Published
Abstract
Introduction
Recently, the anti-addictive potential of ayahuasca, a dimethyltryptamine(DMT)- and β-carboline-rich hallucinogenic beverage traditionally used by indigenous groups of the Northwest Amazon and currently by syncretic churches worldwide, has received increased attention.
Methods
To better evaluate this topic, we performed a systematic literature review using the PubMed database to find quantitative studies (using statistical analysis) that assessed the effects of ayahuasca or its components in drug-related symptoms or disorders.
Results
We found five animal studies (using harmaline, harmine, or ayahuasca) and five observational studies of regular ayahuasca consumers. All animal studies showed improvement of biochemical or behavioral parameters related to drug-induced disorders. Of the five human studies, four reported significant reductions of dependence symptoms or substance use, while one did not report significant results.
Discussion
The mechanisms responsible for the anti-addictive properties of ayahuasca and its alkaloids are not clarified, apparently involving both peripheral MAO-A inhibition by the β-carbolines and central agonism of DMT at 5-HT2A receptors expressed in brain regions related to the regulation of mood and emotions. Although results are promising, controlled studies are needed to replicate these preliminary findings.
Research Summary of 'Effects of Ayahuasca and its Alkaloids on Drug Dependence: A Systematic Literature Review of Quantitative Studies in Animals and Humans'
Introduction
Ayahuasca is a traditional hallucinogenic decoction prepared from Banisteriopsis caapi (rich in β-carbolines such as harmine, tetrahydroharmine and harmaline) and DMT-containing leaves (for example Psychotria viridis). N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is orally inactive unless peripheral monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) is inhibited; the β-carbolines in B. caapi reversibly inhibit MAO-A and thereby enable systemic and central effects of DMT. Acute ayahuasca produces characteristic perceptual, cognitive and emotional effects and transient autonomic and endocrine changes, while long-term ritual use has not been associated with major cognitive or psychiatric harms in observational work. Nunes and colleagues note growing anecdotal, preclinical and observational reports that ayahuasca and its alkaloids may have anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-addictive properties, but that existing studies are heterogeneous and often uncontrolled. To address this gap, they performed a systematic review of quantitative studies up to 6 January 2016, seeking animal experiments and human investigations that used statistical analysis to assess effects of ayahuasca or its isolated alkaloids (DMT, harmine, THH, harmaline) on drug-related behaviours, biochemical markers or dependence symptoms.
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Nunes, A. A., dos Santos, R. G., Osório, F. L., Sanches, R. F., Crippa, J. A. S., & Hallak, J. E. C. (2016). Effects of Ayahuasca and its Alkaloids on Drug Dependence: A Systematic Literature Review of Quantitative Studies in Animals and Humans. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 48(3), 195-205. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2016.1188225
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