The current state of ayahuasca research in animal models: A systematic review
Dimitri Daldegan‐bueno, Natalia Maria Simionato, Vanessa Manchim Favaro, Lucas Oliveira Maia
August 4, 2022 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/7s3b8 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic review of 32 animal studies (rodents, primates, and zebrafish) on ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, found that at doses similar to ceremonial use it is safe, but toxic at high doses. Behavioral results suggest antidepressant effects and a potential to reduce the rewarding effects of ethanol and amphetamine-type drugs, while anxiety-related outcomes remain inconclusive. Ayahuasca also influences locomotor activity, so controlling for movement is important in behavioral tasks. Neurobiologically, ayahuasca affects brain structures involved in memory, emotion, and learning, and its effects involve pathways beyond the serotonergic system. Key gaps in ayahuasca research can still be addressed using animal models.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | Rodents, primates, and zebrafish |
| Topics | Anxiety Ayahuasca Serotonin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Psycinfo Psychology |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key finding | Ayahuasca is safe at ceremonial-based doses but toxic at high doses, shows antidepressant effects and potential to reduce reward effects of ethanol and amphetamine-type drugs, while anxiety outcomes are inconclusive. |
Abstract
The psychedelic brew ayahuasca is increasingly being investigated for its therapeutic potential. To review and summarize data available on ayahuasca research using animal models, we systematically searched five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, LILACS and PsycInfo) for peer-reviewed studies in English, Portuguese or Spanish up to July 2022. We identified 32 studies investigating ayahuasca effects on toxicological, behavioural and (neuro)biological parameters in rodents, primates and zebrafish. Toxicological results show ayahuasca is safe at ceremonial-based doses, but toxic at high doses. Behavioural results indicate an antidepressant effect and a potential to reduce the reward effects of ethanol and amphetamine-type drugs, while the anxiety-related outcomes are yet inconclusive; also, ayahuasca can influence locomotor activity, highlighting the importance of controlling for locomotion when analysing tasks depending on it. Neurobiological results show ayahuasca affects brain structures involved in memory, emotion and learning, and that other neuropathways, besides the serotonergic action, are important in modulating its effects. Essential gaps in the ayahuasca field can still be sufficed using animal models.