Effects of ayahuasca and its alkaloids on substance use disorders: an updated (2016-2020) systematic review of preclinical and human studies.
Lucas Silva Rodrigues, Giordano Novak Rossi, Juliana Mendes Rocha, Flávia L Osório, José Carlos Bouso, Jaime E Cecílio Hallak, Rafael G Dos Santos
European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience June 1, 2022 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1007/s00406-021-01267-7 via PubMed
Summary
Ayahuasca and its alkaloids may have therapeutic effects on Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), as indicated by a systematic review of nine studies published from 2016 to 2020. Observational studies showed reductions in drug use, anxiety, and depression among users, alongside improvements in quality of life. However, the ability to generalize findings from preclinical studies to humans is limited, and randomized controlled trials are necessary for clearer conclusions.
Study at a glance
| Design | systematic review |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 9 |
| Population | nine studies including four preclinical and five observational studies related to ayahuasca and SUDs |
| Key finding | Ayahuasca and its alkaloids have therapeutic effects in the treatment of SUDs, with reductions in drug use and improvements in mental health observed in observational studies. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic/psychedelic traditionally used for ritual and therapeutic purposes. One such therapeutic use is related to Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). A previous systematic review of preclinical and human studies published until 2016 suggested that ayahuasca and its alkaloids have therapeutic effects in the treatment of SUDs. To conduct an update of this previous review. A systematic review of quantitative studies which analyzed the effects of ayahuasca and its alkaloids on drug use (primary outcome) and other measures (secondary outcomes) related to SUDs was conducted, including articles from 2016 to 2020. Nine studies (four preclinical, five observational) were included in the review. Preclinical studies in rodents reported reductions in amphetamine self-administration and anxiety, and in alcohol- and methylphenidate-induced conditioned place preference. Observational studies among healthy ritual ayahuasca users and patients with SUDs reported reductions in drug use, anxiety, and depression, and increases in quality of life and well-being. We replicated the findings of the previous review suggesting that ayahuasca and its alkaloids have therapeutic effects in the treatment of SUDs. However, translation of preclinical data to humans is limited, observational studies do not allow us to infer causality, and there is a lack of standardization on ayahuasca doses. Although promising, randomized, controlled trials are needed to better elucidate these results. The PROSPERO ID for this study is CRD42020192046.