The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization
Frontiers in Pharmacology January 1, 2016 Bokor, Petra, Frecska, Ede, Winkelman, Michael
Ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychoactive brew containing β-carboline and tryptamine derivatives, remains central to healing ceremonies among indigenous and mestizo populations in South America and is increasingly used worldwide. A growing number of studies indicate that its psychotherapeutic potential is based largely on strong serotonergic effects, while the sigma-1 receptor agonist effect of its active ingredient dimethyltryptamine may allow scientific verification of the diversity of conditions treated in ethnomedical observations. In appropriate therapeutic or ritual settings with proper preparation, mindset, and integration, ayahuasca has proven effective for treating substance dependence. The article argues that therapeutic effects are best understood from a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model, and that ayahuasca may act against chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress via the sigma-1 receptor.