Ayahuasca Mitigates Morphological Cortical Alterations in Juvenile Non-human Primates Following Chronic Stress Exposure

Chronic stress during adolescence can shrink neurons in the brain's somatosensory cortex, a region involved in depression. In a study of juvenile monkeys, those isolated to induce chronic stress had significantly smaller neurons than those living in a family group. However, monkeys given the traditional psychoactive brew ayahuasca before and during isolation had neuron volumes similar to the family group, suggesting the brew may protect against stress-induced cortical atrophy. Trends also hinted at preserved cortical structure in the ayahuasca-treated group, though differences in neuron density and overall cortical volume were not statistically confirmed. The findings point to ayahuasca's potential to mitigate stress-related brain changes and support further research into its therapeutic use for adolescent depression.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Depression remains a debilitating mental health disorder affecting millions worldwide, with growing prevalence among adolescents. Recent studies highlight the critical role of the somatosensory cortex in the neuropathology of depression, including structural alterations that impair cortical function. This study investigates the prophylactic effects of ayahuasca, a traditional psychoactive brew, on morphological changes in the somatosensory cortex induced by chronic stress in juvenile non-human primates. Using a model of social isolation to simulate chronic stress, we employed stereological techniques to assess neuronal volume, density, and cortical organization in three groups: a family group (FG), an isolated group (IG), and an ayahuasca-treated group (AG). Ayahuasca was administered before and during the isolation period. Results revealed a significant reduction in neuronal volume in the IG group compared to the FG group, while the AG group exhibited neuronal volumes comparable to FG, suggesting a prophylactic effect of ayahuasca. Although differences in neuronal density and cortical volume could not be statistically confirmed, trends indicated potential preservation of cortical structure in the AG group. These findings underscore ayahuasca’s potential to mitigate stress-induced cortical atrophy and highlight its influence on neural plasticity. Future research should expand sample sizes, incorporate female subjects, and investigate molecular mechanisms underlying these structural changes. This work provides a foundation for exploring ayahuasca as a novel therapeutic strategy for stress-related psychiatric disorders, particularly in adolescent populations.