Ayahuasca Preparations and Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: A Potential Combination for Severe Adverse Interactions

The Amazonian psychoactive beverage ayahuasca may dangerously interact with SSRI antidepressants. Its harmala alkaloids inhibit monoamine oxidase, and combining them with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can trigger serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. Caution is advised when using ayahuasca alongside certain pharmaceutical drugs.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The Amazonian psychoactive plant beverage ayahuasca has attracted increasing interest in recent years. Little attention has been given, however, to potentially dangerous interactions with other drugs. In particular, the interaction between the potent monoamine oxidase-inhibiting harmala alkaloids in ayahuasca and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants may induce a serotonin syndrome with potentially grave outcome. Caution is advised when combining ayahuasca with certain pharmaceutical drugs.