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Home/Research/Ayahuasca/Immunology & Inflammation

Ayahuasca for Immunology & Inflammation

11 papers and 1 clinical trial exploring ayahuasca as a treatment for immunology & inflammation.

Compoundclassic psychedelic

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a botanical decoction combining DMT with MAO-inhibiting harmala alkaloids, producing intense psychedelic effects lasting 3-6 hours. Clinical trials show rapid, large antidepressant effects from a single dose, with a favourable safety profile in controlled settings.

Full Ayahuasca profile
IndicationOver 264 million people worldwide suffer from depression, with a significant subset experiencing related inflammatory conditions.

Immunology & Inflammation

Recent research highlights the potential of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin and MDMA, in modulating immune responses and inflammation, shedding light on their therapeutic implications for mood disorders and other immune-related conditions. Studies are beginning to uncover the mechanisms through which these compounds exert anti-inflammatory effects and promote neuroplasticity, particularly in the context of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Full Immunology & Inflammation profile

Academic Research

11 papers
Open Accessindividual

Ayahuasca in the treatment of bipolar disorder with psychotic features-A retrospective case study

This retrospective case study describes a woman with bipolar disorder and psychotic features whose suicidality, dissociation and social isolation markedly improved and were sustained after multiple ayahuasca ceremonies, with corroboration of childhood abuse and ongoing symptom reduction over several years. The report suggests potential therapeutic benefits of ayahuasca for severe traumatisation and bipolar symptoms and situates the case within a brief review of low‑dose ayahuasca and LSD treatment literature.

Published
March 10, 2023
Journal
Psyarxiv
Authors
Turkia, M.
Open Accessindividual

Preliminary evidence of links between ayahuasca use and the corpus callosum

Using MRI data from 22 ayahuasca users and 22 matched controls, the study found preliminary evidence of greater corpus callosum thickness in users—most notably in the isthmus—and a positive association between callosal thickness and number of past ayahuasca sessions in the rostral body, although these effects did not survive corrections for multiple comparisons. These results suggest possible links between ayahuasca use and callosal structure but require replication in larger, ideally longitudinal, samples before clinical conclusions can be drawn.

Published
October 26, 2022
Journal
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Authors
Bouso, J. C., Simonsson, O., Kurth, F., Araújo, D. B., Gaser, C., Riba, J., Luders, E.
Paywallmeta

The effects of ketamine and classic hallucinogens on neurotrophic and inflammatory markers in unipolar treatment-resistant depression: a systematic review of clinical trials

This systematic review (2022, s=12) finds inconclusive results for the effects of psychedelics on several biomarkers (neurotrophic & inflammatory) in studies that used ayahuasca and ketamine in treating 'treatment-resistant' depression. Bigger trials are necessary, though studying the biomarkers per drug (not several together) may also be warranted.

Published
July 13, 2022
Journal
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Authors
Rossi, G. N., Hallak, J. E., Baker, G., Dursun, S., Dos Santos, R. G., Aaru, J.
Open Accessindividual

Associations between lifetime classic psychedelic use and cardiometabolic diseases

Using NSDUH 2005–2014 data, respondents reporting lifetime classic psychedelic use had lower adjusted odds of past‑year heart disease (aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.65–0.92) and diabetes (aOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78–0.99). The authors suggest classic psychedelics might benefit cardiometabolic health but emphasise the need for research to establish causal mechanisms.

Published
July 13, 2021
Journal
Scientific Reports
Authors
Simonsson, O., Osika, W., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Hendricks, P. S.
Paywallindividual

Association Between Lifetime Classic Psychedelic Use and Hypertension in the Past Year

Using nationally representative US survey data (NSDUH 2005–2014), lifetime use of classic psychedelics was associated with lower odds of past‑year hypertension after adjustment (adjusted odds ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.81–0.91), an effect driven specifically by lifetime tryptamine use (aOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73–0.89). These cross‑sectional findings suggest a potential protective link but cannot establish causality; randomised controlled trials are needed to probe mechanisms and causal effects on blood pressure.

Published
May 1, 2021
Journal
Hypertension
Authors
Simonsson, O., Hendricks, P. S., Carhart-Harris, R., Kettner, H., Osika, W.
Paywallmeta

Anti-inflammatory activity of ayahuasca and its implications for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases

This review (2021) examines the antioxidant, anxiolytic (anxiety), and antidepressant effects of ayahuasca, with a particular emphasis on its anti-inflammatory action yielding therapeutic benefits for disorders related to neuroinflammatory factors.

Published
February 1, 2021
Journal
Behavioural Brain Research
Authors
da Silva, M. G., Daros, G. C., de Bitencourt, R. M.

Clinical Trials

1 trial
CompletedPhase I/II

Antidepressant Effects of Ayahuasca: a Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial in Treatment Resistant Depression

This randomised, placebo-controlled parallel trial (n=35) tested a single oral dose of ayahuasca versus placebo in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Started
February 1, 2014
Type
interventional
Blinding
triple
Randomized
Yes
Registry ID
NCT02914769

Explore further

Search all Ayahuasca papers Search all Immunology & Inflammation trials Full Ayahuasca profile Full Immunology & Inflammation profile