Ayahuasca drinking using a two-bottle choice procedure in male mice.
Natali D. Kisaki, Yasmim A. Serra, Isa R S Rodrigues, Kallyane S O Silva, Caio Jovita-Farias, Gérson L Alves, Marcus T M Bezerra, Isabelle Gaburro-Ribeiro, João P C Leite, Nailton M S Jesus, Alexandre J. Oliveira-Lima, Laís F. Berro, Eduardo A V Marinho
Scientific Reports October 23, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-75077-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Animal behavior study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Male mice |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Dose | 0.01, 0.03 or 0.1 mg/ml |
| Duration | 15 h/day under 3 protocols (acquisition), followed by 14-day drug-free period, then 3 re-exposure phases with 7 drug-free days between each |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Drinking Mice Preference Two-bottle choice Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Psychoactive substances Behavioral studies Behavioral patterns Choice behavior Consumption patterns |
| Key points | Mice preferred ayahuasca over water when exposed every other day, but showed aversion when exposures were spaced five days apart, particularly at higher concentrations. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca has been proposed as a treatment for substance use disorders. However, because of its hallucinogenic properties, studies investigating its abuse potential are needed. The aim of the present study was to investigate voluntary ayahuasca drinking in male mice using a two-bottle choice procedure. Male mice were exposed to two bottles, one of water and one of ayahuasca (0.01, 0.03 or 0.1 mg/ml), for 15 h/day, under 3 protocols (acquisition): (1) every other day access; (2) access every 3 days; (3) access every 5 days. Animals were then submitted to a 14-day drug-free period, followed by 3 re-exposure phases (same conditions as during acquisition), with 7 drug-free days between each. Regardless of the ayahuasca concentration, animals showed a preference for ayahuasca over water when exposed to ayahuasca every other day during the acquisition and re-exposure phases. Extending the period between ayahuasca exposures changed the expression of ayahuasca preference, with the longest break (every 5 days) being associated with preference for water over ayahuasca (i.e., ayahuasca aversion), an effect that was more predominantly observed at higher ayahuasca concentrations. A significant interaction was observed between frequency of exposure to ayahuasca and ayahuasca concentration for total ayahuasca intake during the later re-exposure phase. Our findings show that both the frequency of exposure and the ayahuasca concentration are critical when determining ayahuasca preference in a two-bottle choice model in mice, which can help guide therapeutic/ritualistic ayahuasca use.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 16
- Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 2, 2022
- Hallucinogens in Mental Health: Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine Journal of Neuroscience November 30, 2020
- Assessment of addiction severity among ritual users of ayahuasca Drug and Alcohol Dependence June 17, 2010
- Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on affect and cognitive thinking style and their association with ego dissolution Psychopharmacology August 13, 2018
- Exploring the therapeutic potential of Ayahuasca: acute intake increases mindfulness-related capacities Psychopharmacology November 27, 2015
and 11 more in the library