Brazilian Journal of Natural Sciences
March 11, 2020
Lilian Carvalho Machado, Renan Honorato Da Cruz, Soraia Sayuri Higa et al.
3 citations
DMT, an alkaloid found in Psychotria viridis leaves used in ayahuasca tea, acts as an agonist at serotonin receptors 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C, causing nausea, tremors, mood changes, and reports suggest immune alterations via decreased CD3 and CD4 lymphocyte levels. Recent in vivo tests indicate potential antitumor, antidepressant, and anxiolytic therapeutic effects, as well as aid in treating alcoholism and tobacco addiction. The review describes DMT's pharmacological and toxicological effects, concluding it has pharmacological potential but also significant adverse effects and toxicity, warranting further acute and chronic tests and epidemiological research on populations using it.
Brazilian Journal of Natural Sciences
October 12, 2021
Beatriz Souza Silva, Giovanna Pereira Lima, Isabela Rodrigues Alencar Dos Santos et al.
2 citations
Depression is commonly treated with antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but these drugs often cause adverse effects leading to treatment abandonment, and some patients stop responding. An alternative is the use of medicinal plants, with Ayahuasca tea being studied in this context. Made from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves, Ayahuasca is an entheogenic beverage with psychoactive activity mediated by N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) from the leaves, interacting with β-carboline derivatives (harmine, harmaline, tetrahydroharmine) from the vine, which act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors. This brief literature review clarifies Ayahuasca's use in treating depression, its pharmacological action, and adverse effects compared to conventional treatment, suggesting that with further study it could be a viable alternative if used cautiously.