Ayahuasca: Pharmacological Composition and Potential Benefits
Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology October 1, 2025 Raj Nashikkar, Shrikrishna Baokar, Rajendra Patil
Ayahuasca, a traditional hallucinogenic brew from the Amazon Basin, combines the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves. Its psychoactive effect relies on DMT, a hallucinogen from Psychotria viridis, which is normally broken down by monoamine oxidase enzymes in the body. Beta-carbolines from Banisteriopsis caapi inhibit these enzymes, allowing DMT to reach the brain and produce vivid hallucinations, emotional sensitivity, and altered consciousness. Scientific research explores its psychological benefits, including emotional healing through introspection and trauma processing, with promising applications for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The brew may also enhance neural plasticity, helping individuals overcome negative thought patterns.