Ayahuasca prevents the reinstatement of cocaine-induced rewarding effects in C57Bl/6 mice
Research Square July 25, 2025 Vítor Bruno, Lídia Emmanuela Wiazowski Spelta, Matheus Lujan Pereira et al.
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew used in indigenous rituals, reduced the reinstatement of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in C57Bl/6 mice, suggesting potential for treating cocaine use disorder. While ayahuasca itself produced rewarding effects at the highest dose tested (15 mg DMT/kg), these were weaker than those of cocaine (10 mg/kg). Treatment with ayahuasca (12.5 or 15 mg DMT/kg) after cocaine conditioning and before a cocaine challenge effectively prevented the reactivation of drug-associated contextual preference. The findings indicate therapeutic value for ayahuasca in cocaine use disorder, though research in humans remains limited.