Ayahuasca potential benefits
European Psychiatry April 1, 2021 R. Pinilla, Carmen Rocamora Rodriguez, D. Batet-Sanchez et al. 3 citations
Ayahuasca shows potential therapeutic benefits for dependencies, anxiety, depression, and near-death experiences in terminal illness, based on a literature review. It induces an introspective state that promotes reflection and new perspectives, described by users as similar to psychotherapy. Neuropharmacologically, 5HT2A agonists stimulate genes linked to neuronal plasticity and cognitive functions; MAOIs and 5HT2A agonism have anxiolytic and antidepressant effects; sigma-1 agonism promotes neuroplasticity. Decreased alcohol and cocaine consumption and remission have been reported. Significant decreases in depressive symptoms were found in observational studies, case-controls, and a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Improvements on mindfulness scales similar to meditators suggest an association between mindfulness and ayahuasca experiences. More studies with larger samples are needed.