Effects of ayahuasca in preclinical studies with animals: a systematic review
A. Walsh-Monteiro, S. Morato, F.a.r. Uribe, A. Gouveia Jr, J.s. Pedroso
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research September 2, 2025 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2025e14687 via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAyahuasca, a beverage containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, produces significant changes in motor and cognitive behavior in animal models, particularly through the serotonergic system. These changes resemble negative symptoms seen in schizophrenia and depression. The review of 14 studies from 2012 to 2022 reveals diversity in animal models, developmental stages, and dosing regimens (acute and chronic). However, the authors highlight a scarcity of methodologically standardized preclinical research, which limits conclusive comparisons and underscores the need for further studies to assess potential toxic and neurochemical effects before therapeutic use can be safely evaluated.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Animal models |
| Keywords | N,N-Dimethyltryptamine Hallucinogens Serotonin receptor agonist Monoamine oxidase inhibitors Animal models |
| Key finding | Ayahuasca causes significant alterations in motor and cognitive behavior in animal models via the serotonergic system, resembling negative symptoms of schizophrenia and depression. |
Abstract
This systematic review investigates the effects of the ayahuasca beverage (Aya) in various animal models. Using the PRISMA protocol and adhering to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews, a comprehensive selection of 2,359 documents was identified from the Web of Science, Medline, and Scopus databases between 2012 and 2022. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 articles were included in the final analysis. The analysis revealed a diversity in the selection of animal models that included different developmental stages and various forms of Aya intoxication, including acute and chronic doses, and varying concentrations of the active principles. The studies revealed that Aya causes significant alterations in the motor and cognitive behavior of animals, especially associated with the serotonergic system, which seems to contribute to the negative symptoms also observed in schizophrenia and depression. Despite the evidence found, this review highlights the scarcity of more robust pre-clinical studies with methodological standardization to make more conclusive comparisons, especially given the need to identify potential toxic and neurochemical effects of Aya on organisms for a safer assessment of its therapeutic use.