Ayahuasca: pharmacology, safety, and therapeutic effects.

Ayahuasca, a botanical hallucinogen traditionally used by indigenous groups in Northwestern Amazonia, is prepared from plants containing DMT and harmine. Interest in its therapeutic potential for psychiatric disorders is growing. Human studies suggest good safety and tolerability, often with improvements in depressive and anxious symptoms. However, controlled studies are few, involve small samples, single doses, and short follow-ups. Larger trials with varied doses are needed to evaluate potential benefits.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Ayahuasca is a botanical hallucinogen traditionally used for therapeutic and ritual purposes by indigenous groups from Northwestern Amazonian countries such as Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. Ayahuasca is made by the decoction of two plants, which are rich in the 5-HT1A/2A partial agonist dimethyltryptamine or DMT (from the leaves of the Psychotria viridis bush) and β-carbolines such as harmine, from the stalks of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine. There is an increasing interest in the possible therapeutic effects of ayahuasca, especially for psychiatric disorders (major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorder). This review summarizes information on the pharmacology, safety, and therapeutic potentials of ayahuasca. Although human experimental and naturalist studies published until now suggest a good safety and tolerability profile, often associated with improvements in depressive and anxious symptoms, there are few controlled studies, with small sample sizes, using only single doses, and with short follow-ups. Potential benefits of ayahuasca should be evaluated in larger samples in both experimental and observational studies and using different doses in controlled trials.