Ayahuasca, an ancient substance with traditional and contemporary use in neuropsychiatry and neuroscience
Epilepsy & Behavior June 7, 2019 Rafael G. Dos Santos, Jaime E. C. Hallak 58 citations
Ayahuasca, a botanical hallucinogenic preparation traditionally used for ritual and therapeutic purposes by native populations of the Northwestern Amazon, has spread globally in recent decades, increasing interest in its potential therapeutic uses for anxiety, mood disorders, and substance-use disorders. Preclinical, observational, and preliminary clinical studies have corroborated some therapeutic findings. This article provides an overview of these studies and highlights current uses of ayahuasca in neuroscience, including as a tool to investigate the neural basis of introspection and other complex cognitive processes.