Repeated ayahuasca administration before and during social isolation prevented depressive-like behaviors and cortisol alterations in common marmosets. Animals given ayahuasca showed higher cortisol reactivity and fecal cortisol levels similar to family-group controls, no signs of anhedonia, and no increase in chronic stress-related behaviors, unlike isolated animals that received no intervention. The findings suggest ayahuasca promotes resilient responses and may have a prophylactic action against depression.
Chronic stress from social isolation in juvenile male marmosets reduces neuronal volume in the somatosensory cortex, a brain region implicated in depression. Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, given before and during isolation prevented this reduction, with treated animals showing neuronal volumes similar to non-stressed controls. Trends also suggested preserved cortical structure, though differences in neuronal density and overall cortical volume were not statistically significant. These results indicate ayahuasca may protect against stress-induced cortical atrophy and support further research into its therapeutic potential for stress-related psychiatric disorders, especially in adolescents.