The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization

Ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychoactive brew containing β-carboline and tryptamine derivatives, remains central to healing ceremonies among indigenous and mestizo populations in South America and is increasingly used worldwide. A growing number of studies indicate that its psychotherapeutic potential is based largely on strong serotonergic effects, while the sigma-1 receptor agonist effect of its active ingredient dimethyltryptamine may allow scientific verification of the diversity of conditions treated in ethnomedical observations. In appropriate therapeutic or ritual settings with proper preparation, mindset, and integration, ayahuasca has proven effective for treating substance dependence. The article argues that therapeutic effects are best understood from a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model, and that ayahuasca may act against chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress via the sigma-1 receptor.

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Abstract

Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychoactive brew of two main components. Its active agents are β-carboline and tryptamine derivatives. As a sacrament, ayahuasca is still a central element of many healing ceremonies in the Amazon Basin and its ritual consumption has become common among the mestizo populations of South America. Ayahuasca use amongst the indigenous people of the Amazon is a form of traditional medicine and cultural psychiatry. During the last two decades, the substance has become increasingly known among both scientists and laymen, and currently its use is spreading all over in the Western world. In the present paper we describe the chief characteristics of ayahuasca, discuss important questions raised about its use, and provide an overview of the scientific research supporting its potential therapeutic benefits. A growing number of studies indicate that the psychotherapeutic potential of ayahuasca is based mostly on the strong serotonergic effects, whereas the sigma-1 receptor agonist effect of its active ingredient dimethyltryptamine raises the possibility that the ethnomedical observations on the diversity of treated conditions can be scientifically verified. Moreover, in the right therapeutic or ritual setting with proper preparation and mindset of the user, followed by subsequent integration of the experience, ayahuasca has proven effective in the treatment of substance dependence. This article has two important take-home messages: 1) the therapeutic effects of ayahuasca are best understood from a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model, and 2) on the biological level ayahuasca may act against chronic low grade inflammation and oxidative stress via the sigma-1 receptor which can explain its widespread therapeutic indications