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Home/Research/Ayahuasca/Neurocognitive Disorders

Ayahuasca for Neurocognitive Disorders

13 papers and 0 clinical trials exploring ayahuasca as a treatment for neurocognitive disorders.

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
Indication55M+ people living with dementia worldwide

Neurocognitive Disorders

Neurocognitive disorders, including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain injury, involve a progressive decline in memory, thinking and everyday function. Interest in psychedelics here rests on a strong biological rationale and early human safety signals, not on proven treatment: no completed controlled trial yet shows that psychedelics treat dementia or restore lost cognition.

Full Neurocognitive Disorders profile

Academic Research

13 papers
Paywallindividual

Long-term ayahuasca use is associated with preserved global cognitive function and improved memory: a cross-sectional study with ritual users

This observational, cross-sectional study (n=48) investigates the influence of ritualistic ayahuasca consumption on cognition among experienced (n=16) and beginner (n=16) ayahuasca users and a control group (n=16). It finds no evidence of cognitive decline among ayahuasca users, with experienced users showing higher scores in tasks assessing working verbal and visuospatial memories compared to beginners.

Published
May 23, 2024
Journal
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Authors
Fonseca, A. M., Dos Santos, R. G., Santos, F. P., de Medeiros, L. S., Veiga, T. A. M., Cassas, F., Bruniera, C. P., Rossi, G. N., Bouso, J. C., Hallak, J. E., Paranhos, B. A. P. B., Yonamine, M., Rodrigues, E.
Open Accessindividual

Application of machine learning and complex network measures to an EEG dataset from ayahuasca experiments

Using EEG from ayahuasca experiments, the authors applied machine learning at three abstraction levels—raw signals, inter‑electrode correlations and complex‑network measures—and showed automatic detection of ayahuasca‑induced changes with highest accuracy from connectivity features (92%), then raw (88%) and network measures (83%). They report frontal and temporal activation, a novel F3–PO4 connection potentially linked to face‑like visual processing, and identify closeness centrality, assortativity and new community measures (suggesting larger communities and slower information dissemination) as key biomarkers possibly related to therapeutic mechanisms.

Published
December 16, 2022
Journal
PLOS ONE
Authors
Alves, C. L., Cury, R. G., Roster, K., Pineda, A. M., Rodrigues, F. A., Thielemann, C., Ciba, 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.
Open Accessmeta

Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review

This systematic review shows that classical psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca) consistently cause acute disruption of resting-state connectivity within the Default Mode Network and increase cross-network functional connectivity, but it remains unclear how central DMN modulation is to their therapeutic effects. The article synthesises existing evidence and highlights gaps to guide future mechanistic research.

Published
October 22, 2022
Journal
International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
Authors
Gattuso, J. J., Perkins, D., Ruffell, S. G. D., Lawrence, A. J., Hoyer, D., Jacobson, L. H., Timmermann, C., Castle, D., Rossell, S. L., Downey, L., Pagni, B. A., Galvão-Coelho, N. L., Nutt, D. J., Sarris, J.
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.
Open Accessindividual

The effect of Banisteriopsis caapi (B. caapi) on the motor deficits in the MPTP-treated common marmoset model of Parkinson’s disease

This animal study (n=8) investigated the efficacy of Banisteriopsis caapi (0.1 -; 0.3 mg/kg harmine) alone and in combination with L-DOPA (4 -; 7 mg/kg) to treat parkinsonian dyskinesia in a marmoset disease model. B. caapi alone has a mild antiparkinsonian effect but does not enhance the L-DOPA response or reduce dyskinesia.

Published
January 24, 2018
Journal
Phytotherapy Research
Authors
Fisher, R., Lincoln, L., Jackson, M. J., Abbate, V., Jenner, |. P., Hider, R., Lees, |. A., Rose, S.

Clinical Trials

0 trials

No clinical trials have been tagged with both Ayahuasca and Neurocognitive Disorders yet.

Trials are continuously being added as new studies are registered.

Explore further

Search all Ayahuasca papers Search all Neurocognitive Disorders trials Full Ayahuasca profile Full Neurocognitive Disorders profile