Neuronal quantification in mice cerebral cortex under use of Ayahuasca tea

In mice, daily administration of ayahuasca extract for 15 days did not alter the number of neuron cell bodies in limbic, sensory, or motor areas of the cerebral cortex compared to a control group. A single dose also produced no change. The study counted neuron cell bodies in three groups of five mice each: one control group given saline, one given a single 30 mg/ml dose of ayahuasca extract, and one given the same dose daily for 15 days. The authors conclude that, at this dose and duration, ayahuasca does not affect neuron cell body counts in the examined cortical regions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objective. Ayahuasca, administered as infusion (tea), is the result of Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis boiling for religious rites, and has psychoactive action. This study aimed to quantify the num­ber of neuron cell bodies of cerebral cortex in mice under the use of Ayahuasca extract. Method. 15 mice were divided into 3 groups: G1 (control), treated with saline solution for 15 days; G2, treated with a single dose of 30mg/ml of Ayahuasca extract; and G3, treated with Ayahuasca extract during 15 days using the same dose each day. The presence of the alkaloids in the infusion was confirmed, and to quan­tify the number of neuron cell bodies we used the sample random counting method. Results. There was no difference in the neuron cell bodies number for limbic, sensory, and motor areas comparing G1 to G2 and G3. Conclusion. We concluded that the use of Ayahuasca tea in the dose and time designed for this experiment do not cause changes in neuron cell bodies number in the analyzed cerebral cortex.