Exposure to ayahuasca induces developmental and behavioral alterations on early life stages of zebrafish
Chemico-Biological Interactions August 4, 2018 Thayres S. Andrade, Rhaul Oliveira, Muriel Lopes Da Silva et al. 31 citations
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew made from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis plants and used ancestrally by Amazonian populations and more recently by religious groups, causes developmental toxicity and behavioral changes in zebrafish embryos and larvae. Over 96 hours of exposure at concentrations from 0 to 1000 mg/L, the LC50 was 236.3 mg/L. Exposure led to hatching delay, loss of equilibrium, edema, and red blood cell accumulation, mainly at the highest concentration. Locomotor activity in larvae decreased at the highest concentration tested. These results align with mammal studies and highlight possible risks of uncontrolled ayahuasca use.