Ayahuasca Preparations and Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: A Potential Combination for Severe Adverse Interactions
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – December 01, 1998
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca, a powerful Amazonian hallucinogen, poses significant risks when combined with specific medications. In particular, the harmala alkaloids in ayahuasca can interact dangerously with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), leading to serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. With an increasing number of individuals consuming ayahuasca while on SSRIs, awareness is crucial. Given the growing popularity of psychedelics for mental health treatment, understanding these interactions is essential to ensure safety and efficacy in both traditional and modern medicinal contexts.
Abstract
The Amazonian psychoactive plant beverage ayahuasca has attracted increasing interest in recent years. Little attention has been given, however, to potentially dangerous interactions with other drugs. In particular, the interaction between the potent monoamine oxidase-inhibiting harmala alkaloids in ayahuasca and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants may induce a serotonin syndrome with potentially grave outcome. Caution is advised when combining ayahuasca with certain pharmaceutical drugs.