Toxicological Aspects and Determination of the Main Components of Ayahuasca: A Critical Review
Ana Y. Simão, Joana Gonçalves, Ana Paula Duarte, Mário Barroso, Ana Clara Cristóvão, Eugenia Gallardo
Medicines October 18, 2019 DOI: 10.3390/medicines6040106 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Harmine Harmaline Hallucinogen Traditional medicine Peganum harmala Pharmacology Recreational drug |
| Citations | 36 |
| Key findings | The paper provides a comprehensive and critical review of the toxicological aspects and analytical methods for determining ayahuasca compounds in biological and non-biological specimens. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage prepared traditionally from a mixture of the leaves and stems of Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi, respectively, being originally consumed by indigenous Amazonian tribes for ritual and medicinal purposes. Over the years, its use has spread to other populations as a means to personal growth and spiritual connection. Also, the recreational use of its isolated compounds has become prominent. The main compounds of this tea-like preparation are N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), β-Carbolines, and harmala alkaloids, such as harmine, tetrahydroharmine, and harmaline. The latter are monoamine-oxidase inhibitors and are responsible for DMT psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects on the central nervous system. Although consumers defend its use, its metabolic effects and those on the central nervous system are not fully understood yet. The majority of studies regarding the effects of this beverage and of its individual compounds are based on in vivo experiments, clinical trials, and even surveys. This paper will not only address the toxicological aspects of the ayahuasca compounds but also perform a comprehensive and critical review on the analytical methods available for their determination in biological and non-biological specimens, with special focus on instrumental developments and sample preparation approaches.
Comparable studies
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Citations in the library
Cited by 23
- The Bright Side of Psychedelics: Latest Advances and Challenges in Neuropharmacology International Journal of Molecular Sciences January 10, 2023
- Psychoactive Substances of Natural Origin: Toxicological Aspects, Therapeutic Properties and Analysis in Biological Samples. Molecules March 5, 2021
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition by Plant-Derived β-Carbolines; Implications for the Psychopharmacology of Tobacco and Ayahuasca Frontiers in Pharmacology May 2, 2022
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, Psilocybin and Dimethyltryptamine in Depression Treatment: A Systematic Review Pharmaceuticals August 12, 2021
- Ayahuasca Beverages: Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Properties Antibiotics October 24, 2020
and 18 more in the library
Cites 63
- Amphetamine, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, and Metabolites of the Catecholamine Neurotransmitters Are Agonists of a Rat Trace Amine Receptor Molecular Pharmacology December 1, 2001
- Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry March 1, 2015
- Human Pharmacology of Ayahuasca: Subjective and Cardiovascular Effects, Monoamine Metabolite Excretion, and Pharmacokinetics Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics June 18, 2003
- Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Peganum harmala and its main alkaloids Pharmacognosy Reviews/Bioinformatics Trends/Pharmacognosy review 2013
- Serotonin, via 5-HT2A receptors, increases EPSCs in layer V pyramidal cells of prefrontal cortex by an asynchronous mode of glutamate release Brain Research April 1, 1999
and 58 more in the library