Ayahuasca, a psychoactive beverage containing DMT and β-carboline alkaloids, was administered to female Wistar rats at doses 15X, 30X, and 50X the typical ritual dose. The lethal oral dose exceeded 50X (15.1 mg/kg DMT). At 30X, ayahuasca reduced locomotion in open field and elevated plus-maze tests and increased swimming in the forced swimming test, suggesting antidepressant-like effects. Neuronal activation increased in serotonin-related brain areas, with some brain injury but no permanent damage. These findings indicate antidepressant properties at high doses, warranting further study.
Ayahuasca ingestion alone significantly decreased sexual performance in male rats at all tested doses. However, when combined with 96 hours of paradoxical sleep deprivation, a low dose of Ayahuasca increased sexual performance, while an intermediate dose impaired it compared to non-sleep-deprived rats at the same dose. Testosterone concentrations were lower in sleep-deprived rats given saline compared to controls. Progesterone was significantly lower only in sleep-deprived rats receiving the 500 μg/mL dose compared to controls at that dose. Corticosterone levels did not differ across groups. The findings indicate that Ayahuasca's effects on male sexual response are markedly altered by sleep deprivation.