The therapeutic potentials of ayahuasca: possible effects against various diseases of civilization
This review (2016) examines the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca based on a summary of its neurobiological, neuroregenerative, and psychophysiological mechanisms and effects on vegetative states and the central nervous system. It emphasizes highlights the therapeutic utility of ayahuasca on a biological level as an anti-inflammatory agonist of the Sigma-1 receptor while incorporating its effects on higher-order psychotherapeutic effects within a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model.
Authors
- Ede Ottó Frecska
- Michael Winkelman
Published
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.
Research Summary of 'The therapeutic potentials of ayahuasca: possible effects against various diseases of civilization'
Introduction
Amoo and colleagues introduce ayahuasca as an Amazonian psychoactive sacrament composed mainly of a Banisteriopsis caapi preparation (containing β-carbolines such as harmine and tetrahydroharmine) combined with a DMT-containing plant (commonly Psychotria viridis). Historically used in indigenous and mestizo healing, initiation and religious rituals across several South American countries, the brew has spread internationally for spiritual and therapeutic reasons. The authors emphasise a tension between traditional, ethnomedical perspectives that regard ayahuasca as a ‘‘plant teacher’’ or sacred medicine, and many Western legal regimes that classify DMT as an illicit substance, which complicates scientific inquiry and clinical access. This paper aims to review evidence and hypotheses about ayahuasca’s possible therapeutic mechanisms and adverse effects across biological, psychological, social and spiritual levels. Using a biopsychosociospiritual framework the authors set out to survey biochemistry, neuropharmacology, physiology, brain imaging, psychological and social effects, and clinical applications—particularly for addiction—while highlighting potential roles of serotonergic activity and sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) agonism as mechanistic anchors for broad therapeutic indications.
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Frecska, E., Bokor, P., & Winkelman, M. (2016). The therapeutic potentials of ayahuasca: possible effects against various diseases of civilization. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2016.00035
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