Ayahuasca: An ancient sacrament for treatment of contemporary psychiatric illness?

Ayahuasca, a traditional psychoactive sacrament used for centuries in Amazonian shamanic rituals, produces its psychedelic effects through the combination of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and N-N-dimethyltryptamine from Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana. Its ritual use has recently increased, drawing attention for potential treatment of mental illnesses like substance use and depressive disorders. However, its MAOI properties raise concerns about serious drug interactions in patients. This paper describes ayahuasca's pharmacology, potential drug interactions, and clinical data on its therapeutic potential in psychiatric illness.

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Abstract

Abstract Ayahuasca is a traditional psychoactive sacrament that's been used in Amazonian shamanic rituals for hundreds of years. Ayahuasca is notorious for its psychedelic properties produced from the combination of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) found in the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and N-N-dimethyltryptamine from Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana. Recently, ritual use of ayahuasca has increased and garnered attention for its potential in treating mental illnesses, such as substance use and depressive disorders. Due to its MAOI properties, there are serious drug interactions that may be of concern among patients who participate in ayahuasca use. The objectives of this paper are to describe ayahuasca's pharmacology, potential drug interactions, and clinical data for its treatment potential in psychiatric illness.