Relatos de exploradores e viajantes e primeiras pesquisas científicas com a ayahuasca, 1850-1950, no debate atual sobre o "renascimento psicodélico" / Reports by explorers and travelers and the first scientific studies on ayahuasca (dating from 1850 to 1950) within the current debate on the "psychedelic renaissance"

Resumo O artigo descreve associações e controvérsias entre usos indígenas e ocidentais da ayahuasca, de 1850 a 1950, na relação com o "renascimento psicodélico". Destaque na ciência desde 2000, esse movimento faz referência a 1960-1970, quando políticas antidrogas suspenderam pesquisas sobre "potenciais terapêuticos" de substâncias psicoativas. Argumenta-se que estudos pioneiros com a ayahuasca datam do início do século XX e mencionam relatos de expedições à Amazônia desde 1850. Esses artigos e relatos são analisados pelo aspecto histórico da teoria do ator-rede e de estudos recentes. Infere-se que a história ilumina o debate político atual sobre os usos, classificações e significados indígenas; o interesse farmacêutico na ayahuasca; e a discussão sobre "drogas".

Abstract This article describes the associations and controversies between indigenous and western uses of ayahuasca between 1850 and 1950 in relation to the "psychedelic renaissance." This movement has gained scientific attention since 2000, but hearkens back to the 1960s and 1970s, when anti-drug policy halted research on the "therapeutic potential" of psychoactive substances. Pioneering studies on ayahuasca date back to the early twentieth century and mention reports of expeditions to Amazonia from 1850 onward. Here, these articles and reports are analyzed according to the historical aspect of actor-network theory and recent studies. We infer that history casts light on the current political debate about indigenous uses, classifications, and meanings, pharmaceutical interest in ayahuasca, and the debate on "drugs."

Behavioral characterization of ayahuasca treatment on Wistar rats in the open field test

Abstract Ayahuasca (AYA) is a psychedelic beverage with therapeutic potential for many mood and anxiety disorders. Although there are some preclinical studies, no published reports have tested the behavioral effects of AYA gavage in animal models. This investigation aimed to characterize the behavior of Wistar rats after acute ingestion of AYA for 40 min in the open field test (OFT). The sample consisted of three experimental groups treated with different dosages of AYA (125, 250, or 500 mg kg-1) and a control group. Each group consisted of 10 participants. After gavage, the number of crossings of the OFT grid lines, latency to enter the central area of the device, grooming frequency, and time spent in the central perimeter of the device were immediately evaluated. Analyses were based on one-way ANOVA and a linear-regression mixture model for longitudinal data. AYA intake did not interfere with habituation. The 500 mg kg-1 group showed a decrease in the time spent in the center of the device and in the number of crossings compared to the control group in the last 10 min. These results suggest that gavage with AYA did not interfere with the results, and the behavioral effects were perceived only between 30 and 40 min after gavage. Taken together, the results indicate that three aspects should be considered in OFT studies of AYA acute effects: the moment when the observation starts, the observation period, and the AYA dosage.

Psychosis induced by abuse of ayahuasca: a case report / Psicosis inducida por el abuso de la ayahuasca: un caso clínico

A B S T R A C T Ayahuasca is a psychotropic infusion prepared by boiling the bark of Amazonian plants and has many psychopharmacological effects not fully understood. Some of those effects are used as treatment for different diseases. However, the side effects of ayahuasca, including ayahuasca-induced psychosis, are an important issue. Here we report the case of a patient who had a psychotic episode after taking ayahuasca and who was successfully treated with antipsychotic medication. Given the current spread of ayahuasca consumption in developed societies, the present case highlights the need for better understanding and regulation of the social-legal condition of ayahuasca and the need for further research. Additionally, psycho-education seems advisable in order to create awareness of the potential risks of the use of ayahuasca.

RESUMEN La ayahuasca es una bebida psicotrópica preparada a través de la cocción de plantas de la cuenca amazónica que tiene muchos efectos psicofarmacológicos no del todo estudiados. Algunos de esos efectos son usados como tratamiento de diversas patologías. Sin embargo, existen efectos secundarios de la ayahuasca que deben ser tenidos en cuenta, entre ellos psicosis inducida por ayahuasca. Reportamos un caso de un paciente que, tras autoadministración de ayahuasca, presentó un episodio psicótico y que fue satisfactoriamente tratado con antipsicóticos. Dada el uso cada vez más frecuente de ayahuasca en las sociedades desarrolladas, el caso actual resalta las necesidades de entender, regular e investigar el uso de la ayahuasca. Además, crear conciencia de los potenciales riesgos del uso de ayahuasca a través de la psicoeducación debería ser implementado.

The pharmacological interaction of compounds in ayahuasca: a systematic review

Ayahuasca is a South American psychoactive plant brew used as traditional medicine in spiritual and in cultural rituals. This is a review of the current understanding about the pharmacological mechanisms that may be interacting in ayahuasca. Searches were performed using PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases and 16 papers were selected. As hypothesized, the primary narrative in existing research revolved around prevention of deamination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (N,N-DMT, also referred to as DMT) by monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in ayahuasca. Two of the constituents, DMT and harmine, have been studied more than the secondary harmala alkaloids. At present, it is unclear whether the pharmacological interactions in ayahuasca act synergistically or additively to produce psychoactive drug effects. The included studies suggest that our current understanding of the preparation's synergistic mechanisms is limited and that more complex processes may be involved; there is not yet enough data to determine any potential synergistic interaction between the known compounds in ayahuasca. Our pharmacological understanding of its compounds must be increased to avoid the potential risks of ayahuasca use.

Compreensão de sentidos atribuídos à ayahuasca: percursos terapêuticos do uso ritualístico / Understanding of meanings attributed to ayahuasca: therapeutic paths of ritual use / Comprensión de los sentidos atribuidos a la ayahuasca: recorridos terapéuticos del uso ritual

Ayahuasca é uma bebida psicoativa de origem amazônica preparada a partir do cipó conhecido como jagube e/ou mariri (Banisteriopsis caapi) e do arbusto chacrona (Psychotria viridis). Seu uso cultural e ritualístico tem reconhecimento milenar por etnias indígenas da Amazônia Ocidental e ganhou influência mundial na década de 1980, por meio da expansão do seu uso religioso. No campo biomédico, estudos têm atestado a segurança na administração da bebida em humanos e encontraram características de bem-estar físico e mental em usuários. Este artigo tem como objetivo discutir os resultados de uma pesquisa que investigou histórias de vida de pessoas com itinerários terapêuticos ligados ao uso ritualístico da ayahuasca, a partir de uma compreensão fenomenológica-existencial e da gestalt-terapia. A metodologia de trabalho baseou-se na postura fenomenológica e no método de história de vida, possibilitando uma apreensão da experiência vivida nos rituais. Verificou-se, assim, que as experiências ritualísticas e os itinerários terapêuticos contribuíram no reconhecimento dos participantes de que a saúde é uma postura de maturidade ou sabedoria associada a suas relações com o mundo, atribuindo à ayahuasca a capacidade de operar ressignificações no processo cotidiano do autocuidado e, acima de tudo, no amor a si mesmos.

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive drink of Amazonian origin prepared from vine known as jagube and/or mariri (Banisteriopsis caapi) and chacrona bush (Psychotria viridis). Its cultural and ritualistic use have been recognized from millennia by indigenous ethnic groups in the Western Amazon and gained worldwide influence in the 1980s through the expansion of it religious use. In the biomedical field, studies have attested the safety in the administration of the beverage in humans and found features of physical and mental wellbeing on users. This article aims to discuss the results of a research that investigated life histories of people with therapeutic itineraries connected to the ritualistic use of ayahuasca, from a phenomenological-existential understanding and gestalt-therapy approach. The methodology was based on a phenomenological stance and in life history method, enabling an apprehension of lived experience of the rituals. Thus, it was verified that the ritualistic experiences and the therapeutic itineraries contributed in the participants' recognition that health is a posture of maturity or wisdom associated to their relations with the world, attributing to ayahuasca the capacity to operate re-significations in the daily process of self-care and, above all, in love of oneself.

Ayahuasca es una bebida psicoactiva de origen amazónico, preparado a partir de la cepa jagube o mariri (Banisteriopsis caapi) y del arbusto chacrona (Psychotria viridis). Su uso cultural y ritual tiene reconocimiento milenario de etnias indígenas de la Amazonia occidental y ha ganado influencia mundial en la década de 1980, mediante la expansión de su uso religioso. En el campo biomédico, los estudios garantizaron seguridad en la administración de la bebida en humanos y encontraron características de bienestar mental y físico en sus usuarios. El objetivo es discutir los resultados de una investigación de la historia de vida de personas con recurridos terapéuticos de uso ritual de ayahuasca, desde una comprensión fenomenológica-existencial y de la terapia gestáltica. La metodología se basa en la actitud fenomenológica y en el método de historia de vida, lo que permite una aprehensión de la experiencia vivida. Así, se verificó que las experiencias rituales y los recurridos terapéuticos contribuyeron al reconocimiento de los participantes de que la salud es una postura de madurez o sabiduría asociada a sus relaciones con el mundo, atribuyendo a la ayahuasca la capacidad de operar resignificaciones en el proceso diario de autocuidado y, sobre todo, de amor a sí mismo.

Revisión bibliográfica de la ayahuasca y su uso terapéutico / Bibliographic review of ayahuasca and its therapeutic use

La ayahuasca es un brebaje psicotrópico con acción serotoninérgica. Las fuentes botánicas más comunes de la ayahuasca son la Banisteriopsiscaapi y la Psychotriaviridis, en la revisión bibliográfica se buscó conocer las propiedades bioquímicas, síntomas y signos que produce esta planta, asimismo, se reconocieron los efectos que produce al ser utilizada como brebaje por los chamanes de la Amazonía y su uso como medicamento homeopático. Con esta investigación se puede comparar, afirmar o negar las indicaciones empíricas que manejan los chamanes de nuestra región frente a los diferentes estudios científicos realizados por médicos, antropólogos y psicólogos y, de este modo dilucidar la utilidad de la planta en el campo de la homeopatía. Según Fericgla, JM, la ayahuasca es útil para inducir estados emocionales y espirituales de carácter curativo, introspectivo y terapéutico. Por otro lado, no se ha observado que su consumo genere adicción psicológica ni fisiológica, por lo que se puede afirmar que no representa ningún peligro para la salud pública. Palma D, manifiesta que la Di MetilTriptamina (DMT) es la principal responsable de los efectos psicoactivos del brebaje y que actúa en el timo y la glándula pineal.

Ayahuasca is a psychotropic potion with serotonergic action. The most common botanical sources of ayahuasca are Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, in the Bibliographic Review it was sought to know the Biochemical properties, Symptoms and signs that Ayahuasca produces Corroborating with the effects that it produces when is used as a potion by shamans from the Amazon and being dynamically prepared as a Homeopathic medicine. With this investigation it is possible to compare affirming or denying the empirical indications that the Shamans of our region handle with the different Scientific studies carried out by doctors, anthropologists and psychologists; and see what is the utility that is given in the field of Homeopathy. According to Fericgla. Josep María states that it is useful to induce emotional and spiritual states of a healing, introspective and therapeutic nature. On the other side, it has not been observed that the consumption of Ayahuasca generates psychological or physiological addiction, so it can be stated that it does not represent any danger to Public Health. According to Diego Palma, he states that Di Methyl Tryptamine (DMT) is primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of the brew. Acting at the Thymus and Pineal Gland level

Subjective time under altered states of consciousness in ayahuasca users in shamanistic rituals involving music

Ayahuasca is described as a hallucinogenic substance whose property is to alter the subjective experience of time and impair the perception of the passage of time during stimuli of more than two to three seconds. The dose-dependent effects of two concentrations of ayahuasca in the ritualistic context were investigated employing temporal reproduction tasks in participants experienced in shamanistic ayahuasca rituals. The study was conducted on nine healthy volunteers who ingested two doses of ayahuasca at two times during a ritual session. The doses of each session, consumed in amounts ranging from 20 to 60 mL, were either of low concentration or of experimental ayahuasca according to a double-blind procedure. Participants performed the task of immediately listening and reproducing, with a laptop, 20-s musical stimuli during the session. The results showed that significant temporal distortion was triggered by the musical stimulus presented without the ingestion of ayahuasca, with means of 16.33 to 16.52 s. There were minor temporal distortions after ingestion of ayahuasca: a mean of 17.91 s for control ayahuasca and of 18.38 s for experimental ayahuasca. These results with less temporal distortion among participants with ayahuasca intake disagree with other studies of hallucinogens involving temporal reproduction.

Influence of environment on the leaf morpho-anatomy and histochemical of the ayahuasca leaf: Populations cultivated in extra-Amazonian regions

Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pav (Rubiaceae) occurs naturally throughout the Amazon and it is traditionally used by indigenous communities, being incorporated into religious use in urban contexts over the last few decades. It is known and cultivated in many regions of South America for possessing valuable bioactive alkaloids. In this paper, we described P. viridis leaf morphology, anatomy and histochemistry from three populations cultivated in the southeastern Brazil, in order to identify possible adaptations to local environment and management. All plants presented terminal stipules and basic morpho-anatomical patterns of leaves, consistent with most species of the genus, as heterogeneous dorsiventral mesophyll, uniseriate epidermis, presents large cells with prominent vacuoles and druses. Unicellular non-glandular trichomes and multicellular starry trichomes were present in the primary and secondary veins. Amphi-hypostomatic leaf pattern, not yet described for the species, was common in all studied plants. Variation in the presence of domatia in the same population indicates that this structure cannot be used for taxonomic determination of P. viridis, as already described for other species of the genus. Presence of secretory ducts and reduction in stomata density and leaf area represent the main morpho-anatomic adaptations of plants from drier and warmer climates. Histochemical tests were positive for alkaloids, polysaccharides, proteins and phenolic compounds, being negative for starch only in plants subjected to water stress. We concluded that the morpho-anatomical and histochemical alterations found in the plants of this study resulted from seasonal water deficit adaptations and to maintain or attract mutualistic organisms

Pesquisas com ayahuasca na psicologia: revisão de literatura sobre o potencial terapêutico / Research with ayahuasca in psychology: a literature review of its therapeutic potential

A Ayahuasca é uma bebida alucinógena utilizada em contexto religioso, sendo associada a melhorias na saúde mental dos usuários. O presente estudo teve como objetivo fazer um levantamento da produção de pesquisas que avaliam o seu potencial terapêutico no campo da Psicologia. Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa de literatura com os descritores "Psicologia" e "Ayahuasca" indexados no portal CAPES, nas plataformas Medline e Scielo. Foram obtidos 34 artigos e foram aplicados critérios de inclusão ­ serem escritos nas línguas portuguesa ou inglesa, e possuírem o descritor "Ayahuasca" no título ­ e de exclusão ­ não abordarem o uso terapêutico da ayahuasca como problema de pesquisa. Após a filtragem, obteve-se 8 artigos publicados entre 2006 e 2018, divididos em 10 estudos, sendo 7 de pesquisa básica e 3 de pesquisa aplicada. Conclui-se que a produção de estudos sobre a eficácia terapêutica da Ayahuasca e seus efeitos na saúde mental dos usuários é recente e escassa. É importante que estudos futuros abordem além de parâmetros psicopatológicos ou farmacológicos questões sociais e culturais atrelados ao uso de substâncias. É essencial que particularidades do ambiente no qual a substância foi ingerida e da história de vida do usuário sejam consideradas e investigadas minunciosamente

The Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic drink used in religious context and its use is associated with improvements in mental health of users. This study aimed to do a survey of the researches that evaluate the therapeutic potential of Ayahuasca in Psychology. A narrative literature review was performed with the descriptors "Psychology" and "Ayahuasca" indexed on the CAPES portal, on Medline and Scielo platforms. Thirty-four articles were obtained and inclusion criteria were applied - written in Portuguese or English, and having the descriptor "Ayahuasca" in the title - and exclusion - not addressing the therapeutic use of ayahuasca as a research problem. After filtering, we obtained 8 articles published between 2006 and 2018, divided into 10 studies: 7 of basic research and 3 of applied research. It is concluded that the production of studies on the therapeutic efficacy of Ayahuasca and its effects on users' mental health is recent and scarce. It is important that future studies address beyond psychopathological or pharmacological parameters, analising social and cultural issues linked to substance use. It is essential that particularities of the environment in which the substance was taken and of the user's life history are considered and investigated in detail.

Yagé: Crisis de occidente y trabajo espiritual / Yagé: Western crisis and spiritual work

Resumen Introducción: Ante la crisis epistemológica y sistémica que se encuentra en la civilización occidental, el yagé emerge como alternativa que invita a una reponderación axiológica profunda. Asimismo, el ritual del yagé evidencia los límites del conocimiento médico moderno, dando pauta al abordaje transdisciplinario. Por otro lado, se presentan consecuencias de inserción en el libre mercado, implicando problemas de lucro a costa de tradiciones originarias. En este contexto, se explora el concepto «trabajo espiritual¼ como práctica que busca descolocarse del colonialismo mercantil al tiempo que se aleja del modelo médico moderno. Objetivo: Reflexionar la incorporación del ritual de yagé en Occidente y sus posibilidades como alternativa epistemológica y médica. Materiales y métodos: Revisión de artículos de la base de datos especializados Web of Science, con la palabra clave: "ayahuasca". Resultados: Se estructuró la información teniendo en cuenta los aspectos relacionados con: (a) el contexto de incorporación del yagé al occidente, (b) los límites del conocimiento médico moderno y (c) los problemas de inserción al libre mercado. Conclusiones: Se apoya el diagnóstico de la ruptura epistemológica con occidente, pero reconociendo el estado inicial de las investigaciones y la falta de evidencias documentadas para entrar en una etapa más fructífera para el debate.

Abstract Introduction: In the face of epistemological and systemic crisis in Western civilization, yagé emerges as an alternative that invites a deep axiological reponderation. The yagé ritual demonstrates the limits of modern medical knowledge, giving guidance to a transdisciplinary approach. On the other hand, there are consequences of insertion into the free market, involving profit problems at the expense of original traditions. Thus, the concept of "spiritual work" is explored as a practice that seeks to dislodge itself from commercial colonialism while moving away from the modern medical model. Objective: To reflect on the incorporation of the yage ritual in the West and its possibilities as an epistemological and medical alternative. Materials and methods: Review of articles from the specialized Web of Science database, with the keyword: "ayahuasca". Results: The information was structured considering aspects related to: (a) the context of incorporation of yagé into the West, (b) the limits of modern medical knowledge and (c) the problems of insertion into the free market. Conclusions: The diagnosis of the epistemological rupture with the West is supported while recognizing the initial state of the investigations and the lack of documented evidence in order to enter into a more fruitful debate.

Acute effects of ayahuasca in a juvenile non-human primate model of depression

Objective: The incidence rate of major depression in adolescents reaches approximately 14%. This disorder is usually recurrent, without remission of symptoms even after pharmacological treatment, and persists throughout adult life. Since the effects of antidepressants take approximately 2 weeks to begin, new pharmacological therapies are under continuous exploration. Recent evidence suggests that psychedelics could produce rapid antidepressant effects. In this study, we evaluated the potential antidepressant effects of ayahuasca in a juvenile non-human primate model of depression. Methods: While living with their families, juvenile marmosets (8 males; 7 females) were observed on alternate days for four weeks during a baseline phase. This was followed by 8 weeks of an induced depressive state protocol, the social isolated context (IC), in which the animals were monitored in the first and last weeks. Subsequently, five males and four females were randomly selected for treatment, first with a single administration of saline vehicle (1.67 mL/300 g of body weight, via gavage), followed by a single dose of ayahuasca (1.67 mL/300 g of body weight, via gavage). Both phases lasted 1 week and the animals were monitored daily. A third week of sampling was called the tardive-pharmacological effects phase. In all phases the marmosets were assessed for behavior, fecal cortisol levels, and body weight. Results: After IC, the animals presented typical hypocortisolemia, but cortisol recovered to baseline levels 24 h after an acute dose of ayahuasca; this recovery was not observed in vehicle-treated animals. Additionally, in males, ayahuasca, but not the vehicle, reduced scratching, a stereotypic behavior, and increased feeding. Ayahuasca treatment also improved body weight to baseline levels in both sexes. The ayahuasca-induced behavioral response had long-term effects (14 days). Thus, in this translational juvenile animal model of depression, ayahuasca presented beneficial effects. Conclusions: These results can contribute to the validation of ayahuasca as an antidepressant drug and encourage new studies on psychedelic drugs as a tool for treating mood disorders, including for adolescents with early-onset depression.

Ayahuasca no tratamento da farmacodependência à cocaína: possíveis intervenções terapêuticas? / Ayahuasca in the treatment of cocaine addiction: possible therapeutic interventions?

Alucinógenos (ALU) são substâncias psicoativas que não induzem o indivíduo à dependência, possuem perfil de segurança de uso mais alto quando comparado a outras drogas e baixa capacidade de causar tolerância ao uso. Estudos recentes propõem o uso de ALU como tratamento a algumas doenças e transtornos relacionados ao sistema nervoso central, como a depressão, ansiedade e dependência. Dentre os ALU, a ayahuasca (AYA), cujo princípio ativo é a dimetiltriptamina (DMT), é uma bebida psicoativa amplamente utilizada pelas populações indígenas em rituais religiosos. Existem evidências de que pode ser eficaz no tratamento de dependência relacionada ao álcool e nicotina. No entanto, para a cocaína, a segunda droga ilícita mais utilizada no Brasil e na Europa, não existem muitos estudos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial da AYA em prevenir a expressão da sensibilização comportamental (SC) induzida pela cocaína e as repercussões neuroquímicas do tratamento em camundongos C57Bl/6. Para tanto, foi avaliada a influência da administração aguda de AYA (1,76; 3,0; 17,6; 30,0 mg/kg de DMT v.o.) na atividade locomotora dos animais em campo aberto (CA). Como não houve diferença estatística na distância percorrida durante a análise, as duas menores doses (1,76 e 3,0 mg/kg de DMT v.o.) foram escolhidas como doses iniciais para a realização do protocolo de prevenção à expressão da SC induzida pela cocaína. Inicialmente, os animais foram habituados no CA durante 3 dias consecutivos após a administração de solução salina 0,9% i.p. No 4o dia experimental, os animais receberam, durante 10 dias alternados, cocaína 10 mg/kg ou salina 0,9% i.p. e foram submetidos diretamente à avaliação da atividade locomotora no CA por 30 minutos. Vinte e quatro horas depois, receberam, durante 8 dias consecutivos, água ou AYA (1,76 ou 3,0 mg/kg de DMT v.o.) e após 30 minutos da administração, foram colocados no CA por 30 minutos para análise da atividade locomotora. No dia seguinte, os camundongos foram desafiados com uma administração de salina. E, no último dia experimental, foi realizado um desafio com cocaína, sempre colocando o animal no CA por 30 minutos. Nessas doses, a AYA não foi eficaz em prevenir a expressão da SC induzida pela cocaína. Dessa forma, avaliamos doses superiores de AYA (15, 30 e 45 mg/kg de DMT v.o.), as quais foram capazes de prevenir a expressão da SC à cocaína. Assim, o protocolo experimental foi novamente realizado com a menor dose (15 mg/kg de DMT v.o.), ao término do protocolo experimental, os animais foram eutanasiados e tiveram seu córtex pré-frontal, estriado e hipocampo dissecados para análise por immunoblotting dos receptores serotoninérgicos 5-HT1A e 5-HT2A. No entanto, não foram não observadas diferenças significativas ao comparar o nível proteico dos receptores nos grupos experimentais. Dessa forma, esses resultados sugerem que a AYA pode ser uma boa estratégia terapêutica para a dependência em cocaína, abrindo caminho para novos estudos

Psychedelics (PSY) are psychoactive substances that do not induce the individual to addiction, have a higher use safety profile when compared to other drugs and low ability to cause tolerance to use. Recent studies propose the use of PSY as a treatment for some diseases and disorders related to the central nervous system, such as depression, anxiety and addiction. Among the PSY, ayahuasca (AYA), whose active component is dimethyltryptamine (DMT), is a psychoactive drink widely used by indigenous populations in religious rituals. There is evidence that it may be effective in treating alcohol and nicotine addiction. However, for cocaine, the second most widely used illicit drug in Brazil and Europe, there are not many studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of AYA in preventing cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization (BS) expression and the neurochemical repercussions of this treatment in C57Bl/6 mice. Thus, we evaluated the influence of acute administration of AYA (1.76; 3.0; 17.6; 30.0 mg/kg of DMT, orally) on the locomotor activity of animals in the open field (OF). As there was no statistical difference in the distance travelled during the analysis, the two lowest doses (1.76 and 3.0 mg/kg of DMT, orally) were chosen as initial doses to perform the cocaine-induced expression prevention protocol. First, animals were habituated to OF for 3 consecutive days following administration of saline 0.9% i.p. On the fourth experimental day, the animals received for 10 alternate days cocaine 10 mg/kg or saline 0,9% i.p. and were directly submitted to the evaluation of locomotor activity in OF for 30 minutes. Twenty-four hours later they received, for 8 consecutive days, water or AYA (1.76 or 3.0 mg/kg of DMT, orally), and 30 minutes after administration, they were placed in the OF for 30 minutes for analysis of locomotor activity. The next day, the mice were challenged with saline administration. On the last experimental day, a cocaine challenge was performed, always placing the animal in the OF for 30 minutes. At these doses, AYA was not effective in preventing cocaine-induced expression of BS. Thus, we evaluated higher doses of AYA (15, 30 and 45 mg/kg of DMT, orally), which were able to prevent the expression of cocaine-induced BS. Thus, the experimental protocol was again performed with the lowest dose (15 mg/kg of DMT, orally). At the end of the experimental protocol, the animals were euthanized and their prefrontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus were dissected for serotonergic receptor 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A by immunoblotting. However, no significant differences were observed when comparing receptor protein level in the experimental groups. Thus, these results suggest that AYA may be a good therapeutic strategy for cocaine addiction, paving the way for further studies

Prácticas en búsqueda de legitimidad: el uso contemporáneo de la ayahuasca, entre reivindicaciones terapéuticas y religiosas / Practices in search of legitimacy: the contemporary use of ayahuasca, between religious and therapeutic vindications

RESUMEN El creciente interés de los occidentales por la bebida psicotrópica ayahuasca y la participacion en rituales exóticos ha llevado en las últimas décadas a la multiplicación de los "centros chamánicos" en la Amazonía peruana. Entre estos, el centro Takiwasi es una comunidad terapéutica que acoge cada año a cientos de clientes nacionales y extranjeros. Esta institución, creada por un médico francés en 1992, fue originalmente destinada a proponer una alternativa terapéutica para el tratamiento de la adicción, y se caracterizaba por el uso de ciertas herramientas del chamanismo mestizo peruano articuladas con la biomedicina y la psicología clínica. La evolución diacrónica de la institución está, sin embargo, marcada por la creciente utilización de elementos de la tradición católica. Examino aquí la hipótesis de que estas transformaciones pueden ser interpretadas como los efectos de la globalización del uso de la ayahuasca y sus consecuencias jurídicas y políticas. De este modo, el caso de Takiwasi subraya el papel jugado por las tradiciones religiosas y el campo médico en la construcción, la legitimación y el mantenimiento de las prácticas nuevas e híbridas que se multiplican alrededor del uso de la ayahuasca.

ABSTRACT In recent decades, the growing interest of Westerners in the psychotropic brew ayahuasca and the participation in exotic rituals has led to the multiplication of "shamanic centers" in the Peruvian Amazon. Among these, Takiwasi is a therapeutic community that welcomes hundreds of national and foreign clients every year. This institution, created by a French physician in 1992, was originally intended to propose a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of addiction, characterized by the use of tools of Peruvian mestizo shamanism, biomedicine and clinical psychology. The diachronic evolution of the institution is however marked by the growing use of elements of the Catholic tradition. In this article, I will examine the hypothesis that these transformations can be interpreted as the effects of the globalization of the use of ayahuasca and its legal and political consequences. Thus, the case of Takiwasi underlines the role played by religious traditions and the medical field in the construction, legitimization and maintenance of new and hybrid practices that are multiplying around the use of ayahuasca.

Long-term effects of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a 5-year qualitative follow-up

Background Ayahuasca is a botanical hallucinogenic preparation traditionally used by indigenous populations of Northwestern Amazonian countries for ritual and therapeutic purposes. It is rich in β-carboline alkaloids and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Preclinical, observational, and experimental studies suggest that ayahuasca and its alkaloids have anxiolytic and antidepressive effects. We recently reported in an open-label trial that ayahuasca administration was associated with significant decreases in depression symptoms for 2-3 weeks after the experimental session in 17 patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Objectives To investigate if the experiment had any long-lasting effects on patients Methods Eight patients were interviewed 4 to 7 years after ayahuasca intake. Results Our results suggest that ayahuasca was well tolerated and that symptom reductions were limited to a few weeks. Importantly, most patients believed that the experience was among the most important of their lives, even 4-7 years later. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first long-term follow-up of a clinical sample that participated in an ayahuasca trial. Further studies with different and repeated dosing should be designed to further explore the antidepressive and anxiolytic effects of ayahuasca.

Pre-clinical interaction of ayahuasca, a brew used in spiritual movements, with morphine and propofol

ABSTRACT Ayahuasca is a beverage with psychoactive properties used in religious and ceremonial rituals by some religious groups. The main active components of ayahuasca are dimethyltryptamine and the harmala alkaloids with ß-carboline structure acting as monoamine oxidase A inhibitors. This combination produces a pronounced activation of serotonergic pathways and presents potential interaction with other psychotropics. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible interactions between ayahuasca and agents employed in general anesthesia. The pharmacological interactions between ayahuasca and morphine or propofol were evaluated in mice using doses of 12, 120 and 1200 mg/kg (0.1 to 10 times the average dose consumed by humans in religious rituals). Ayahuasca alone showed an antinociceptive effect in the writhing and formalin tests, and intensified the analgesic effect of morphine in the hot plate test. Concerning the pharmacological interactions between ayahuasca and propofol, the results were opposite; ayahuasca intensified the depressant effect of propofol in the rotarod test, but decreased the sleeping time induced by propofol. These set of results showed the occurrence of some interactions between ayahuasca and the drugs morphine and propofol, possibly by both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics mechanisms

Psicosis inducida por ayahuasca: reporte de un caso / Ayahuasca-induced psychosis: a case report

La ayahuasca es una bebida alucinógena, producto de la decocción de las plantas Banisteriopsis caapi y Psychotria viridis y que cuenta con N,N-dimetiltriptamina y ß-carbolinas, como sus compuestos principales. Aunque produce alteraciones somáticas, cognitivas y subjetivas agudas, a menudo intensas, casi no se han reportado efectos adversos luego de un cuadro de intoxicación con este agente. En este artículo se presenta el caso de un varón de 40 años, procedente de la Amazonía peruana, que siguió un curso psicótico tras una sesión ritual de consumo; el episodio psicótico se resolvió favorablemente con tratamiento específico. Aun cuando infrecuentes, estos episodios pueden llegar a ser muy severos y asociarse a conductas violentas. Los usuarios con antecedentes de psicosis, manía o abuso de sustancias psicoactivas parecen estar en mayor riesgo. La literatura en relación al riesgo de reacciones adversas (incluidas conductas psicóticas) debidas al uso de ayahuasca, es escasa y poco concluyente por lo que casos similares al descrito deben evaluarse cuidadosamente y difundirse de manera apropiada. (AU)