Journal of Psychopharmacology
June 11, 2016
Rafael G. Dos Santos, Fermanda M Balthazar, José Carlos Bouso et al.
126 citations
A systematic review of 28 human studies found that acute ayahuasca administration is well tolerated, increases introspection and positive mood, alters visual perceptions, activates frontal and paralimbic brain regions, and decreases default mode network activity. It improves planning and inhibitory control but impairs working memory, and shows antidepressive and antiaddictive potentials. Long-term use is associated with increased cortical thickness of the anterior cingulate cortex and cortical thinning of the posterior cingulate cortex, inversely correlated to age of onset, intensity of prior use, and spirituality. Subacute and long-term use is not linked to increased psychopathology or cognitive deficits but to enhanced mood, cognition, spirituality, and reduced impulsivity. Overall toxicity appears low, though therapeutic effects need replication.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
March 19, 2021
Rafael G. Dos Santos, Jaime Ec Hallak, Glen B. Baker et al.
51 citations
Major depressive disorder affects many people worldwide and current antidepressants often work slowly, have side effects, and fail about a third of patients. Psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, and ayahuasca are among the few compounds with recent human evidence of fast-acting antidepressant effects. Studies from the 1950s to 1970s reported antidepressive and anxiolytic effects, which modern trials are confirming (LSD, one trial; psilocybin, five trials; ayahuasca, two trials). These drugs appear to work primarily by activating serotonin receptors, especially the 5-HT2A receptor. The promising but limited evidence of safety and efficacy has encouraged further research into psychedelics for depression.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
December 1, 2023
Genís Ona, Ingrid Reverte, Giordano N Rossi et al.
20 citations
Ibogaine and its main metabolite, noribogaine, modulate several brain targets associated with substance use disorders. Rather than having a single key mechanism, their anti-addictive action appears to arise from a complex modulation of multiple receptor systems, creating potential beneficial synergies. This understanding comes from a review of theoretical and experimental studies published up to July 2022. The authors suggest that future research should apply polypharmacology approaches to better describe the multifaceted patterns of this multi-target drug, which could guide both mechanistic and therapeutic studies.