Biomolecules
November 2, 2022
Giordano Novak Rossi, Lorena T. L. Guerra, Glen B. Baker et al.
29 citations
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew used in South American rituals, contains DMT from Psychotria viridis and MAO-inhibiting β-carbolines from Banisteriopsis caapi. Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests its antidepressant effects involve complex modulation of serotoninergic, glutamatergic, dopaminergic, and endocannabinoid systems, along with interactions with VMAT, TAAR1, and sigma-1 receptors. The brew also appears to beneficially modulate inflammatory and neurotrophic factors, leading to neuroprotective and neuroplastic effects. This review summarizes current knowledge of these molecular interactions and their relation to ayahuasca's potential antidepressant properties.
Biomolecules
February 20, 2025
Supaya Wenuganen, Kenneth G Walton, Frederick T Travis et al.
2 citations
Long-term Transcendental Meditation practice is associated with reduced biomarkers of chronic stress and biological aging. In a comparison of older long-term meditators (average 40 years of practice) with age-matched non-meditators, 7 of 13 genes that were more highly expressed in older controls showed lower expression in the older meditators. Older meditators also scored higher on a brain integration scale and had shorter event-related potential latencies—indicating faster cognitive processing—than age-matched controls, with latencies no longer than those of young non-meditators. Hair cortisol levels were lower in meditators than in matched controls, suggesting lower cumulative stress exposure.
Biomolecules
July 3, 2026
Stefanie Enriquez‐geppert, Lisa Bevers, Arvid Rosander et al.
A review of naturally derived psilocybin finds perceived therapeutic benefits for mental health, but evidence of causal efficacy is mixed. Safety profiles are favorable yet context-dependent, with risks for vulnerable populations. Preliminary preclinical evidence suggests possible entourage effects, but human validation is lacking. Dose precision varies: purified psilocybin is most reliable, followed by standardized extracts, then alcoholic, aqueous, and whole biomass preparations. Scalable cultivation is feasible but faces sustainability challenges. Key gaps include a lack of controlled trials, longitudinal safety evaluations, and standardization. The review proposes a phased research roadmap for short-term safety studies, mid-term mechanistic and standardization efforts, and long-term integration into therapeutic, cultural, and ecological systems.
Biomolecules
April 2, 2026
Nikola Balic, Gordana Nedic Erjavec, Marcela Konjevod et al.
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) shows more pronounced metabolic disruptions than responsive depression, especially in lipid, amino acid, and energy pathways. Elevated lysophospholipids and fatty acids in TRD suggest dysregulated lipid metabolism and inflammation. After eight weeks, duloxetine, bright-light therapy, and esketamine each improved symptoms and partially normalized metabolic profiles, but through different mechanisms: duloxetine modulated amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism; bright-light therapy reduced lysophospholipids and mannose; esketamine affected lipid turnover, short-chain fatty acids, carbohydrates, and increased thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Extracellular vesicle metabolomics may help distinguish depression subtypes and treatment effects.
Biomolecules
March 24, 2026
Veronica Begni, Floriana de Cillis, Natascha Pfeiffer et al.
Classical and rapid-acting antidepressants alter how the brain responds to acute stress through different molecular programs. In mice exposed to swim stress, imipramine dampened stress-induced neural activation in the cortex and striatum, while ketamine preserved it. Hippocampal activation remained robust and unaffected by either drug. BDNF expression changed only in the striatum, where imipramine reduced the stress-related increase. Both drugs similarly promoted active coping behaviors, but through distinct mechanisms. The findings suggest that cortical and striatal transcriptional signatures differentiate classical from rapid-acting antidepressant action, though human studies are needed to confirm clinical relevance.