Ayahuasca as a Decoction Applied to Human: Analytical Methods, Pharmacology and Potential Toxic Effects
Journal of Clinical Medicine February 21, 2022 Ľuboš Nižňanský, Žofia Nižnanská, Roman Kuruc et al. 11 citations
Ayahuasca is a decoction made from the liana Banisteriopsis caapi, which contains β-carbolines, often combined with Psychotria viridis leaves containing DMT. Over 100 plants can supply these active alkaloids, making precise compositional analysis crucial for pharmacological study. This review summarizes sensitive methods for analyzing the beverage and biological matrices, comparing pharmacokinetic parameters across studies with known composition and minimal adverse effects. Therapeutic benefits remain unclear, with side effects possibly linked to pre-existing psychiatric disorders. Toxicological risks and clinical benefits require accurate alkaloid concentrations for evaluation. No post-mortem study has suggested potential lethality from ayahuasca.