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Ruffell SGD, Crosland‐Wood M, Palmer R, Netzband N, Tsang W, Weiss B, Gandy S, Cowley‐Court T, Halman A, McHerron D, Jong A, Kennedy T, White E, Perkins D, Terhune DB, Sarris J. Ayahuasca: A review of historical, pharmacological, and therapeutic aspects. PCN REPORTS : PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES 2023; 2:e146. [PMID: 38868739 PMCID: PMC11114307 DOI: 10.1002/pcn5.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic plant brew originating from the Amazon rainforest. It is formed from two basic components, the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and a plant containing the potent psychedelic dimethyltryptamine (DMT), usually Psychotria viridis. Here we review the history of ayahuasca and describe recent work on its pharmacology, phenomenological responses, and clinical applications. There has been a significant increase in interest in ayahuasca since the turn of the millennium. Anecdotal evidence varies significantly, ranging from evangelical accounts to horror stories involving physical and psychological harm. The effects of the brew on personality and mental health outcomes are discussed in this review. Furthermore, phenomenological analyses of the ayahuasca experience are explored. Ayahuasca is a promising psychedelic agent that warrants greater empirical attention regarding its basic neurochemical mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon G. D. Ruffell
- Onaya ScienceIquitosPeru
- Psychae InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- School of Population and Global HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
| | - Max Crosland‐Wood
- Onaya ScienceIquitosPeru
- Psychology and Psychotherapy departmentCentral and North West London NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - Rob Palmer
- Onaya ScienceIquitosPeru
- School of MedicineUniversity of YaleNew HavenConnecticutUSA
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerqueNew MexicoUSA
| | | | - WaiFung Tsang
- Onaya ScienceIquitosPeru
- Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and NeuroscienceSouth London and The Maudsley NHS TrustLondonUK
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Brandon Weiss
- Onaya ScienceIquitosPeru
- Division of PsychiatryImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Tessa Cowley‐Court
- Psychae InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- School of Population and Global HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
| | - Andreas Halman
- School of Population and Global HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
| | | | - Angelina Jong
- Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and NeuroscienceSouth London and The Maudsley NHS TrustLondonUK
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | | | | | - Daniel Perkins
- Psychae InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- School of Population and Global HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
- Centre for Mental HealthSwinburne UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Devin B. Terhune
- Psychology and Psychotherapy departmentCentral and North West London NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - Jerome Sarris
- Psychae InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- NICM Health Research InstituteWestern Sydney UniversitySydneyAustralia
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
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Moraes TFS, Ferraz AC, da Cruz Nizer WS, Tótola AH, Soares DBS, Duarte LP, Vieira-Filho SA, Magalhães CLB, de Magalhães JC. A methanol extract and N,N-dimethyltryptamine from Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pav. inhibit Zika virus infection in vitro. Arch Virol 2021; 166:3275-3287. [PMID: 34536126 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-05230-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a public health problem due to its association with serious fetal and neurological complications and the lack of antiviral agents and licensed vaccines against this virus. Surveillance studies have alerted about the potential occurrence of a new South American epidemic episode due to the recent circulation of an African ZIKV strain detected in Brazil. Therefore, it is essential to discover antiviral agents, including natural substances, that are capable of neutralizing the action of ZIKV. Several Psychotria species have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, a methanol extract and dimethyltryptamine from Psychotria viridis were evaluated for their ability to inhibit ZIKV infection in vitro by measuring the effective concentration that protects 50% of cells and investigating their possible mechanisms of action. The tested samples showed antiviral activity against ZIKV. The extract showed virucidal activity, affecting viral and non-cellular elements, inactivating the virus before infection or when it becomes extracellular after the second cycle of infection. It was also observed that both extract and dimethyltryptamine could inhibit the virus at intracellular stages of the viral cycle. In addition to dimethyltryptamine, it is believed that other compounds also contribute to the promising virucidal effect observed for the methanol extract. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the activity of a methanolic extract and dimethyltryptamine from Psychotria viridis against cellular ZIKV infection. These two samples, extracted from natural sources, are potential candidates for use as antiviral drugs to inhibit ZIKV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís F S Moraes
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Rodovia MG 443, Km7, Ouro Branco, MG, 36420-000, Brazil.,Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ariane C Ferraz
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Rodovia MG 443, Km7, Ouro Branco, MG, 36420-000, Brazil.,Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Prêto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Waleska S da Cruz Nizer
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Rodovia MG 443, Km7, Ouro Branco, MG, 36420-000, Brazil.,Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Antônio H Tótola
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Rodovia MG 443, Km7, Ouro Branco, MG, 36420-000, Brazil
| | - Débora B S Soares
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Lucienir P Duarte
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Sidney A Vieira-Filho
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacy's School, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Cintia L B Magalhães
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Prêto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - José C de Magalhães
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Rodovia MG 443, Km7, Ouro Branco, MG, 36420-000, Brazil.
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3
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Campagnoli APS, Pereira LAS, Bueno JLO. Subjective time under altered states of consciousness in ayahuasca users in shamanistic rituals involving music. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 53:e9278. [PMID: 32578718 PMCID: PMC7307892 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20209278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Ayahuasca is described as a hallucinogenic substance whose property is to alter the subjective experience of time and impair the perception of the passage of time during stimuli of more than two to three seconds. The dose-dependent effects of two concentrations of ayahuasca in the ritualistic context were investigated employing temporal reproduction tasks in participants experienced in shamanistic ayahuasca rituals. The study was conducted on nine healthy volunteers who ingested two doses of ayahuasca at two times during a ritual session. The doses of each session, consumed in amounts ranging from 20 to 60 mL, were either of low concentration or of experimental ayahuasca according to a double-blind procedure. Participants performed the task of immediately listening and reproducing, with a laptop, 20-s musical stimuli during the session. The results showed that significant temporal distortion was triggered by the musical stimulus presented without the ingestion of ayahuasca, with means of 16.33 to 16.52 s. There were minor temporal distortions after ingestion of ayahuasca: a mean of 17.91 s for control ayahuasca and of 18.38 s for experimental ayahuasca. These results with less temporal distortion among participants with ayahuasca intake disagree with other studies of hallucinogens involving temporal reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P S Campagnoli
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - L A S Pereira
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - J L O Bueno
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
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