Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian infusion of Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, contains the hallucinogen DMT and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. In adult zebrafish, low concentrations (0.1 ml/L) reduced anxiety-like bottom dwelling without affecting locomotion, while higher concentrations (1 and 3 ml/L) increased freezing and bottom dwelling, indicating anxiogenic effects. Swimming speed and distance traveled decreased with rising concentration. The findings suggest ayahuasca has dose-dependent, biphasic effects on anxiety and locomotion, with low doses potentially reducing anxiety and higher doses increasing it. Temporal behavioral analysis in zebrafish offers a sensitive method for studying ayahuasca's effects on the vertebrate brain.
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian infusion made from Banisteriopsis caapi stem and Psychotria viridis leaves, contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. In adult zebrafish exposed to five concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 3 ml/L, with 14 fish per group), swimming speed and distance traveled decreased with higher concentrations, while freezing and bottom dwelling increased at 1 and 3 ml/L. At 0.1 ml/L, bottom dwelling declined, suggesting reduced anxiety-like behavior. Low doses did not affect locomotion and appeared anxiolytic, whereas higher doses produced anxiogenic effects. Temporal behavioral analysis in zebrafish offers a sensitive method for studying ayahuasca-induced brain changes.