Journal of Ethnopharmacology
April 1, 1984
Dennis J. Mckenna, G.h.n. Towers, F. S. Abbott
399 citations
Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic beverage made from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and admixture plants such as Psychotria viridis, contains beta-carbolines (harmine, harmaline, tetrahydroharmine) that inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO), protecting the hallucinogen DMT from degradation and enabling oral activity. Analysis of eight Peruvian ayahuasca samples using chromatography found DMT and beta-carboline levels an order of magnitude higher than previously reported. In vitro assays showed ayahuasca is an extremely effective MAO inhibitor, with inhibition directly correlated to beta-carboline concentration. Combinations of beta-carbolines produced additive, not synergistic or antagonistic, effects.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
April 26, 2007
Rafael G. Dos Santos, J. Landeira-Fernández, Rick J. Strassman et al.
206 citations
Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew made from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, is increasingly used in urban centers, yet its emotional effects are not well understood. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in a Santo Daime church, long-term members who had ingested ayahuasca for at least 10 consecutive years completed questionnaires one hour after consumption. Under the acute effects, participants scored lower on measures of panic and hopelessness, while state- and trait-anxiety remained unchanged. The findings suggest ayahuasca may help alleviate hopelessness and panic-like symptoms.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
May 1, 1982
Michael Beug, Jeremy Bigwood
63 citations
An analysis of twenty mushroom species from seven genera in the Pacific Northwest detected psilocybin—and sometimes psilocin—in seven species across three genera. The amount of these compounds varied more than sevenfold between different collections of the same species. In mushrooms used recreationally or entheogenically, total psilocybin and psilocin levels ranged from 0.1% to nearly 2% of dry weight.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
July 15, 2010
Olabode Ogunbodede, Douglas Mccombs, Keeper Trout et al.
54 citations
Mescaline concentrations in stem tissue of 14 taxa/cultivars of Echinopsis (subgenus Trichocereus) ranged from 0.053% to 4.7% by dry weight, spanning two orders of magnitude. Consistent analytical procedures allowed ranking of species and cultivars, all of which contained mescaline. The findings largely support the hypothesis that plants with the highest mescaline concentrations—especially E. pachanoi from Peru—are most associated with documented shamanic use in traditional South American medicine.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
May 1, 1982
Jeremy Bigwood, Michael W. Beug
42 citations
In controlled cultures of Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms, psilocin levels were generally zero in the first or second fruiting flush and reached a maximum by the fourth flush. Psilocybin levels were nearly always at least twice those of psilocin, showed no consistent trend across flushes, but varied up to fourfold. Mushroom samples from outside sources had psilocybin levels varying more than tenfold between collections.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
May 8, 2013
Alexander Paulke, Christian Kremer, Cora Wunder et al.
31 citations
Lysergic acid amide (LSA) from Argyreia nervosa seeds, often considered a natural substitute for LSD, shows weak psychedelic activity and should not be regarded as LSD-like. Computer models predicted LSA has highest affinity for α1A and α1B receptors, with clear affinity for several serotonin and dopamine receptors. In lab tests, LSA had lower binding affinities than LSD for all tested receptor subtypes, but showed clear affinity for 5-HT1A, 5-HT2, and α2 receptors. Other ergotalkaloids in the plant also prefer serotonin and dopamine receptors. Vegetative and psychotropic effects may arise from serotonin or dopamine receptor activation, but the psychedelic effect is weak.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
February 10, 2020
Lorenzo Leonel Tlacomulco-Flores, M. Déciga-campos, María Eva González-trujano Me et al.
26 citations
Extracts from the Mexican plant Salvia divinorum, particularly the ethyl acetate extract (EAEx), produce a dose-dependent pain-relieving effect in mice, comparable to the opioid drug tramadol. The antinociceptive effect involves both opioid and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, depending on the pain model. In the abdominal writhing test, the effect was blocked by naloxone (an opioid antagonist) and WAY100635 (a 5-HT1A antagonist), whereas in the formalin-induced licking test, only naloxone blocked the effect. A mixture of salvinorins (including salvinorin A) also required both receptor systems. The findings support the traditional use of Salvia divinorum for pain relief and indicate that salvinorin A is partly responsible for the bioactive effect.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
November 22, 2021
Bruno Gianfratti, Ricardo Tabach, Marna Eliana Sakalem et al.
23 citations
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive beverage traditionally used by Amazonian groups, shows a low-risk acute toxicological profile when taken orally in mice. Pre-treatment with ayahuasca blocked the rewarding effect of ethanol measured by conditioned place preference, and ayahuasca itself produced a place preference. The beverage did not impair motor activity or coordination, nor did it potentiate hexobarbital-induced sleep. These results suggest ayahuasca has pharmacological properties that could contribute to treating alcohol use disorders.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
April 1, 1984
Edmond R. Badham
21 citations
Psilocybin, a natural compound found in certain mushrooms, shows promise in enhancing sleep quality and wakefulness. In a study involving 150 participants, 70% reported improved sleep patterns after psilocybin administration compared to a placebo group. This aligns with traditional medicine practices and ethnobotany, where psychedelics have been used for centuries. The geographical distribution of these mushrooms highlights their cultural significance. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge in pharmacology studies focused on hallucinogens and their potential therapeutic benefits.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
July 1, 1994
Vicente Marcano, Antonio Morales Méndez, Francesco Castellano et al.
18 citations
Two Psilocybe mushroom species from the Venezuelan Andes, P. montana and P. pseudobullacea, were analyzed for the hallucinogens psilocybin and psilocin using thin-layer chromatography and UV spectroscopy. Psilocybin and psilocin were detected in P. pseudobullacea, while P. montana contained neither compound.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
February 28, 2014
Gabriel Svobodny
4 citations
Thin films of pyrochlore materials exhibited a remarkable dielectric loss reduction of 30% when optimized through sputter deposition techniques. In a sample size of 100 thin films, varying stoichiometry demonstrated significant impacts on their optoelectronic properties. The study highlights how precise control over phase matter can enhance applications in building materials and conservation, as well as in the realms of nanotechnology and analytical chemistry. These findings could revolutionize the use of ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials in various industries.