The current state of ayahuasca research in animal models: A systematic review.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry July 13, 2023 Dimitri Daldegan-Bueno, Natalia Maria Simionato, Vanessa Manchim Favaro et al. 18 citations
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, is being studied for therapeutic uses. A systematic review of 32 animal studies (rodents, primates, zebrafish) found that at doses comparable to ceremonial use, ayahuasca is toxicologically safe, but high doses are toxic. Behavioral results suggest an antidepressant effect and potential to reduce reward effects of ethanol and amphetamines, though anxiety-related outcomes remain inconclusive. Ayahuasca also affects brain structures involved in memory, emotion, and learning, with non-serotonergic pathways playing a role. The review indicates therapeutic potential for depression and substance use disorder but does not support an anxiolytic effect.