Ayahuasca, also called the 'vine of the soul,' is a ritual psychedelic traditionally used by Indigenous peoples of South America and increasingly in other regions over the last 25 years. Its biological activity comes from N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, and beta-carboline alkaloids that act as potent, short-acting monoamine oxidase A inhibitors (MAOI-A). Reports indicate both anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects, as well as potential for treating addiction. Particularly promising are results in treatment-resistant depression, with some authors comparing its efficacy to that of ketamine. The article examines ayahuasca's complex action profile, potential benefits, and risks of interactions and adverse effects, important given the variability of plant species used.
Psychedelic substances have been used in traditional healing for centuries and sparked a first wave of Western research after LSD was synthesized, showing promising therapeutic effects when added to psychotherapy. Legal and political pressures halted all studies in the 1970s. Over the last two decades, clinical research has revived, indicating potential benefits for anxiety, affective disorders, and addictions, with no serious side effects reported so far. However, creating a psychiatric drug with psychedelic properties faces medical and legal barriers, and larger, well-designed studies are needed to determine whether psychedelics can become a practical treatment or breakthrough for mental disorders.