Neuronal quantification in mice cerebral cortex under use of Ayahuasca tea
Revista Neurociências – September 01, 2014
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive tea made from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, showed no significant impact on neuron cell bodies in the cerebral cortex of mice. In a study involving 15 mice divided into three groups, those treated with Ayahuasca for 15 days (30mg/ml) displayed similar neuron counts in limbic, sensory, and motor areas compared to controls. This suggests that the specific dosage and duration of Ayahuasca administration do not alter neuronal structure in the analyzed regions, highlighting its limited effect on cerebral cortex morphology.
Abstract
Objective. Ayahuasca, administered as infusion (tea), is the result of Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis boiling for religious rites, and has psychoactive action. This study aimed to quantify the number of neuron cell bodies of cerebral cortex in mice under the use of Ayahuasca extract. Method. 15 mice were divided into 3 groups: G1 (control), treated with saline solution for 15 days; G2, treated with a single dose of 30mg/ml of Ayahuasca extract; and G3, treated with Ayahuasca extract during 15 days using the same dose each day. The presence of the alkaloids in the infusion was confirmed, and to quantify the number of neuron cell bodies we used the sample random counting method. Results. There was no difference in the neuron cell bodies number for limbic, sensory, and motor areas comparing G1 to G2 and G3. Conclusion. We concluded that the use of Ayahuasca tea in the dose and time designed for this experiment do not cause changes in neuron cell bodies number in the analyzed cerebral cortex.