Ayahuasca and cancer treatment

A review of case reports and biomedical literature suggests ayahuasca, a traditional Amerindian medicine, may have antitumor effects against several cancers, including prostate, brain, ovarian, uterine, stomach, breast, and colon. Nine case reports were found; several described improvements, one case worsened, and one was difficult to evaluate. A theoretical model explains these effects at cellular, molecular, and psychosocial levels, focusing on N,N-dimethyltryptamine's activity at sigma-1 receptors and contributions from harmine, tetrahydroharmine, and harmaline. The model proposes consistent biological underpinnings for the accounts. Further research into ayahuasca's safety and efficacy as a cancer treatment is recommended.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objectives: Comprehensively review the evidence regarding the use of ayahuasca, an Amerindian medicine traditionally used to treat many different illnesses and diseases, to treat some types of cancer. Methods: An in-depth review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, books, institutional magazines, conferences and online texts in nonprofessional sources regarding the biomedical knowledge about ayahuasca in general with a specific focus in its possible relations to the treatment of cancer. Results: At least nine case reports regarding the use of ayahuasca in the treatment of prostate, brain, ovarian, uterine, stomach, breast, and colon cancers were found. Several of these were considered improvements, one case was considered worse, and one case was rated as difficult to evaluate. A theoretical model is presented which explains these effects at the cellular, molecular, and psychosocial levels. Particular attention is given to ayahuasca’s pharmacological effects through the activity of N,N-dimethyltryptamine at intracellular sigma-1 receptors. The effects of other components of ayahuasca, such as harmine, tetrahydroharmine, and harmaline, are also considered. Conclusion: The proposed model, based on the molecular and cellular biology of ayahuasca’s known active components and the available clinical reports, suggests that these accounts may have consistent biological underpinnings. Further study of ayahuasca’s possible antitumor effects is important because cancer patients continue to seek out this traditional medicine. Consequently, based on the social and anthropological observations of the use of this brew, suggestions are provided for further research into the safety and efficacy of ayahuasca as a possible medicinal aid in the treatment of cancer.