Natalia Maria Simionato

2 papers in the library · 22 citations · publishing 2022-2023

Papers

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.

DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110738 Full text Anxiety DMT Addiction Addictive behaviour +10

The current state of ayahuasca research in animal models: A systematic review

August 4, 2022 Dimitri Daldegan‐bueno, Natalia Maria Simionato, Vanessa Manchim Favaro et al. 4 citations preprint

A systematic review of 32 animal studies (rodents, primates, and zebrafish) on ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, found that at doses similar to ceremonial use it is safe, but toxic at high doses. Behavioral results suggest antidepressant effects and a potential to reduce the rewarding effects of ethanol and amphetamine-type drugs, while anxiety-related outcomes remain inconclusive. Ayahuasca also influences locomotor activity, so controlling for movement is important in behavioral tasks. Neurobiologically, ayahuasca affects brain structures involved in memory, emotion, and learning, and its effects involve pathways beyond the serotonergic system. Key gaps in ayahuasca research can still be addressed using animal models.

DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/7s3b8 Full text Ayahuasca Serotonergic Anxiety Hallucinogen +6