The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization.
Front Pharmacol March 2, 2016 Ede Frecska, Petra Bokor, Michael Winkelman 237 citations
Ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychoactive brew, is gaining scientific attention for potential therapeutic benefits. Its psychotherapeutic potential is largely based on strong serotonergic effects, while the sigma-1 receptor agonist effect of its active ingredient dimethyltryptamine may explain its diverse traditional uses. In appropriate therapeutic or ritual settings, with proper preparation and integration, ayahuasca has proven effective in treating substance dependence. The article emphasizes two key points: therapeutic effects are best understood through a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model, and biologically, ayahuasca may counteract chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress via the sigma-1 receptor, accounting for its wide-ranging therapeutic indications.