Autonomic, Neuroendocrine, and Immunological Effects of Ayahuasca
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology October 15, 2011 Rafael G. Dos Santos, Marta Valle, José Carlos Bouso et al. 136 citations
Ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychotropic tea containing DMT and β-carboline alkaloids, produced moderate sympathomimetic effects, significant increases in prolactin and cortisol, and time-dependent changes in immune cell populations in a double-blind crossover trial with 10 healthy volunteers. Pupil dilation occurred with both ayahuasca and amphetamine, but ayahuasca’s effects were milder. Prolactin rose only after ayahuasca, while cortisol peaked higher with ayahuasca than with amphetamine. Lymphocyte subsets shifted similarly for both drugs: CD4 and CD3 percentages decreased, and natural killer cells increased, with maximum changes at 2 hours and return to baseline by 24 hours.