Hypotheses Regarding the Mechanisms of Ayahuasca in the Treatment of Addictions

Ayahuasca, a medicinal plant mixture used by indigenous peoples in the Amazon, combines monoamine oxidase inhibitors and DMT to produce profound changes in consciousness. It is increasingly used to treat addictions, though its mechanism of action remains unclear. Four hypotheses are offered to explain possible biochemical, physiological, psychological, and transcendent mechanisms behind its anti-addiction effects.

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Abstract

Ayahuasca is a medicinal plant mixture utilized by indigenous peoples throughout the Amazon River basin for healing purposes. The "vine of the soul" or "vine of death," as it is known in South America, contains a combination of monoamine oxidase inhibitors and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). When ingested together, these medicines produce profound alterations in consciousness. Increasingly, ayahuasca is being utilized to treat addictions. However, the mechanism of action by which ayahuasca treats addictions remains unclear. We offer four hypotheses to explain possible biochemical, physiological, psychological, and transcendent mechanisms by which ayahuasca may exert its anti-addiction effects.