Frontiers in Psychiatry
August 6, 2021
Juliana Mendes Rocha, Giordano Novak Rossi, Flávia de Lima Osório et al.
37 citations
In two small randomized placebo-controlled trials, ayahuasca did not consistently change personality traits. One trial found a significant increase in Openness to experience 21 days after ayahuasca, but the other trial showed no such effect. Baseline differences in Openness between groups and small sample sizes may explain the inconsistent results. The findings suggest that ayahuasca's influence on personality is not robust across studies, and further research in clinical populations is needed.
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental
February 2, 2022
Rafael G. Dos Santos, Juliana Mendes Rocha, Giordano Novak Rossi et al.
20 citations
A post-hoc analysis of two small randomized placebo-controlled trials measured endocannabinoid (anandamide, AEA; 2-arachidonoylglycerol, 2-AG) plasma levels in healthy volunteers and in volunteers with social anxiety disorder (SAD) after a single oral dose of ayahuasca or placebo. In the SAD group, ayahuasca intake was associated with a significant difference in AEA concentrations over time, and near-significant increases in AEA were observed at 90 and 240 minutes after intake. No definitive conclusions could be drawn due to high interindividual variability and small sample sizes. Larger studies are needed to clarify ayahuasca's effects on the endocannabinoid system.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
March 1, 2019
Giordano Novak Rossi, Eduardo José Crevelin, Gabriela de Oliveira Silveira et al.
10 citations
All five organic solvents tested—n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, dichloromethane, and chloroform—successfully extracted non-purified N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) from Mimosa hostilis roots using a common Internet-based extraction method. The concentration of DMT varied across solvents, with dichloromethane yielding the highest and n-hexane the lowest. The extracts were not purified, and their full chemical composition and toxicology remain unknown, meaning recreational users may be exposed to products with unidentified compounds and unpredictable effects.
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
October 19, 2018
Rafael G. Dos Santos, José Alexandre S. Crippa, Flávia de Lima Osório et al.
9 citations
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew containing dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmine, may help treat social anxiety disorder. In a controlled setting, a single dose of ayahuasca reduced anxiety symptoms in volunteers with social anxiety disorder compared to a placebo. The improvement was observed within hours and lasted for several days. The study suggests that ayahuasca could be a fast-acting treatment option for social anxiety, but the small sample size and lack of long-term follow-up limit the conclusions.