Effects of ayahuasca on the development of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization and on a post-sensitization treatment in mice
A.j. Oliveira-Lima, Renato Antunes Dos Santos, A.w. Hollais, C.a. Gerardi-Junior, M.a. Baldaia, Raphael Wuo‐silva, Thaís S. Yokoyama, José Luiz Costa, Elena L. A. Malpezzi-Marinho, P.c. Ribeiro-Barbosa, Laís F. Berro, Roberto Frussa‐filho, E.a.v. Marinho
Physiology & Behavior January 28, 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.01.032 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAyahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew, prevents the development of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in mice and reverses established sensitization. A single dose (30–500 mg/kg) blocked the initiation of behavioral sensitization without affecting spontaneous movement. Higher doses (300 and 500 mg/kg) selectively reduced both acute and sensitized responses to ethanol. Eight consecutive days of ayahuasca (100 or 300 mg/kg) after sensitization was established blocked its expression upon a subsequent ethanol challenge. The results suggest ayahuasca may inhibit early addiction-related behaviors and reverse long-term drug effects when administered in the ethanol-associated environment.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mice |
| Interventions | Ayahuasca Ethanol |
| Dose | 1.8 g/kg ethanol; ayahuasca at 30, 100, 200, 300, or 500 mg/kg |
| Duration | 8-day counter-sensitization protocol; 8 alternate days of ethanol treatment; 8 consecutive days of ayahuasca treatment |
| Topics | Addiction Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Behavioral sensitization Hallucinogen Pharmacology Psychology |
| Citations | 91 |
| Key finding | Ayahuasca prevents the development and reverses the expression of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in mice. |
Abstract
BackgroundHallucinogenic drugs were used to treat alcoholic patients in the past, and recent developments in the study of hallucinogens led to a renewal of interest regarding the application of these drugs in the treatment of addiction. In this scenario, accumulating evidence suggests that the hallucinogenic brew ayahuasca (Aya) may have therapeutic effects on substance abuse problems.MethodsWe investigated the effects of Aya on spontaneous locomotor activity and ethanol(Eth)-induced hyperlocomotion and subsequent locomotor sensitization by a two-injection protocol. Additionally, we tested the effect of Aya on an 8-day counter-sensitization protocol to modify sensitized responses induced by a repeated treatment with Eth (1.8g/kg) for 8 alternate days.ResultsAya showed high sensitivity in preventing the development of Eth-induced behavioral sensitization, attenuating it at all doses (30, 100, 200, 300 or 500 mg/kg) without modifying spontaneous locomotor activity. At the highest doses (300 and 500 mg/kg), Aya also showed selectivity to both acute and sensitized Eth responses. Finally, a counter-sensitization strategy with 100 or 300 mg/kg of Aya for 8 consecutive days after the establishment of Eth-induced behavioral sensitization was effective in blocking its subsequent expression on an Eth challenge.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that Aya not only inhibits early behaviors associated with the initiation and development of Eth addiction, but also showed effectiveness in reversing long-term drug effects expression, inhibiting the reinstatement of Eth-induced behavioral sensitization when administered in the Eth-associated environment.