Frontiers in Psychology
June 4, 2019
Raíssa Nóbrega de Almeida, Ana Cecília de Menezes Galvão, Flávia Santos Da Silva et al.
173 citations
A single dose of ayahuasca increased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in both healthy controls and patients with treatment-resistant depression 48 hours after ingestion, compared with placebo. Baseline BDNF levels did not predict major depression or clinical characteristics, but lower BDNF was linked to hypocortisolemia. Among patients, only those who received ayahuasca showed a negative correlation between BDNF levels and depressive symptoms at 48 hours. The findings suggest a potential link between ayahuasca's antidepressant effects and changes in BDNF, supporting further investigation into psychedelics for depression.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
May 8, 2018
Ana Cecília de Menezes Galvão, Raíssa Nóbrega de Almeida, Erick Allan Dos Santos Silva et al.
102 citations
In treatment-resistant depression, a single dose of ayahuasca normalizes the blunted awakening salivary cortisol response observed in patients, bringing it to levels similar to those in healthy controls. During the dosing session, both patients and healthy volunteers who received ayahuasca showed higher increases in salivary cortisol than those who received placebo. No significant changes in plasma cortisol were detected 48 hours after dosing. These findings suggest that ayahuasca modulates salivary cortisol, a hormone involved in depression's etiology, and support further investigation into its antidepressant potential.
Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry
November 21, 2018
Flávia S. Da Silva, Erick Allan Dos Santos Silva, Geovan Menezes de Sousa et al.
46 citations
In a juvenile marmoset model of depression, a single dose of ayahuasca reversed stress-induced hypocortisolemia within 24 hours, reduced stereotypic scratching in males, increased feeding in males, and restored body weight in both sexes, with behavioral effects lasting up to 14 days. Saline vehicle did not produce these effects. The findings suggest ayahuasca may have rapid and sustained antidepressant properties, supporting further research into psychedelics for early-onset depression.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
January 31, 2018
Ana Cecília de Menezes Galvão, Raíssa Nóbrega de Almeida, Erick Allan Dos Santos Silva et al.
5 citations
preprint
In treatment-resistant depression, a single dose of ayahuasca normalizes the blunted awakening salivary cortisol response that is characteristic of the disorder. Patients with major depression showed hypocortisolemia and a diminished cortisol awakening response compared with healthy controls at baseline. During the dosing session, both patients and controls who ingested ayahuasca had a large increase in salivary cortisol relative to placebo groups. Forty-eight hours after ayahuasca, the awakening cortisol response in treated patients became similar to that of controls, an effect not seen with placebo. No changes in plasma cortisol occurred 48 hours after either ayahuasca or placebo. The modulation of salivary cortisol may contribute to ayahuasca's rapid antidepressant effects.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
January 25, 2018
Flávia Santos Da Silva, Erick Allan Dos Santos Silva, Geovan Menezes de Sousa et al.
4 citations
preprint
In a juvenile model of depression using common marmosets, a single dose of ayahuasca reversed depressive-like symptoms within 24 hours, including recovery of cortisol levels, reduced stereotypic scratching in males, increased feeding, and restored body weight in both sexes. The effects lasted 14 days. The study suggests ayahuasca produces faster and more durable antidepressant effects than the tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline, supporting its potential as a treatment for early-age depression.