Evidence on the impairing effects of Ayahuasca on fear memory reconsolidation.
Psychopharmacology October 1, 2022 Daiane Momo Daneluz, Jeferson Machado Batista Sohn, Gabriela O Silveira et al.
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew containing DMT and β-carbolines, impairs fear memory reconsolidation in rats when given 20 minutes before or 3 hours after memory retrieval. A dose of 60 mg/kg was effective at both time points and did not produce an anxiolytic effect. The impairment lasted at least 22 days with no spontaneous recovery or reinstatement of fear. The effect depended on memory retrieval; without retrieval, ayahuasca did not impair reconsolidation. These findings suggest ayahuasca disrupts both early and late stages of memory reconsolidation rather than facilitating fear extinction.