Immunological Effects of Ayahuasca in Humans
This meta-analysis (2014) examined double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of acute ayahuasca administration and studies of long-term ayahuasca consumption that investigated its effects on the immune system. They found evidence that it reduces bloodstream levels of CD3 and CD4-type lymphocytes and increases the level of natural killer cells, or large granular lymphocytes, in the acute phase but not in the long term.
Authors
- Rafael dos Santos
Published
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a botanical hallucinogen traditionally used by indigenous groups of the northwest Amazon. In the last decade, the use of ayahuasca has spread from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Africa. Despite acute and long-term evidence of good tolerability and safety for ayahuasca administered in the laboratory or ritually consumed in religious contexts, little is known about the immunological impact of ayahuasca on humans. Since ayahuasca is used by an increasing number of consumers, and considering its therapeutic potential, more information is needed regarding ayahuasca potential risks. This article presents a brief overview of the available data regarding the immunological impact of ayahuasca in humans.
Research Summary of 'Immunological Effects of Ayahuasca in Humans'
Introduction
Ayahuasca is a botanical hallucinogen traditionally used by indigenous groups in the northwestern Amazon and more recently adopted therapeutically by Mestizo populations and as a sacrament in Brazilian syncretic religions. The brew is typically made from Banisteriopsis caapi, which contains β-carbolines (harmine, tetrahydroharmine (THH), harmaline), combined with Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana, which supply the tryptamine dimethyltryptamine (DMT). β-carbolines inhibit monoamine oxidase-A, permitting orally ingested DMT to reach the central nervous system where it acts at serotonergic 5-HT1A/2A/2C receptors and may engage glutamatergic mechanisms implicated in hallucinogenic effects. Given the growing use of ayahuasca worldwide and interest in its therapeutic potential, Guimarães and colleagues noted a gap in knowledge about its immunological effects in humans. The present article therefore aims to review the available human data on how ayahuasca ingestion affects immune parameters, summarising controlled acute studies and any identified long-term observational data.
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dos Santos, R. G. (2014). Immunological Effects of Ayahuasca in Humans. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 46(5), 383-388. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2014.960113
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Cited By (5)
Papers in Blossom that reference this study
Dursun, S. M., Kelly, J. R., Gillan, C. M. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2021)
Adams, T. · Biorxiv (2018)
Dos Santos, R. G., Osório, F. L., Crippa, J. A. et al. · Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology (2016)
Dos Santos, R. G., Osório, F. L., Crippa, J. A. et al. · brazilian Journal of Psychiatry (2016)
Szabo, A. · Frontiers in Immunology (2015)
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