Effects of ayahuasca on the development of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization and on a post-sensitization treatment in mice
Alexandre J. Oliveira-Lima, Renato Antunes Dos Santos, A.w. Hollais, C.a. Gerardi-Junior, M.a. Baldaia, Raphael Wuo‐silva, Thaís S. Yokoyama, José Luiz Costa, Elena L. A. Malpezzi-Marinho, P.c. Ribeiro-Barbosa, Laís F. Berro, Roberto Frussa‐filho, Eduardo A V Marinho
Physiology & Behavior January 28, 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.01.032 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mice |
| Interventions | Ayahuasca Ethanol |
| Dose | 1.8 g/kg ethanol; ayahuasca at 30, 100, 200, 300, or 500 mg/kg |
| Duration | 8-day counter-sensitization protocol; 8 alternate days of ethanol treatment; 8 consecutive days of ayahuasca treatment |
| Topics | Addiction Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Behavioral sensitization Hallucinogen Pharmacology |
| Citations | 91 |
| Key findings | Ayahuasca prevents the development and reverses the expression of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in mice. |
Abstract
BackgroundHallucinogenic drugs were used to treat alcoholic patients in the past, and recent developments in the study of hallucinogens led to a renewal of interest regarding the application of these drugs in the treatment of addiction. In this scenario, accumulating evidence suggests that the hallucinogenic brew ayahuasca (Aya) may have therapeutic effects on substance abuse problems.MethodsWe investigated the effects of Aya on spontaneous locomotor activity and ethanol(Eth)-induced hyperlocomotion and subsequent locomotor sensitization by a two-injection protocol. Additionally, we tested the effect of Aya on an 8-day counter-sensitization protocol to modify sensitized responses induced by a repeated treatment with Eth (1.8g/kg) for 8 alternate days.ResultsAya showed high sensitivity in preventing the development of Eth-induced behavioral sensitization, attenuating it at all doses (30, 100, 200, 300 or 500 mg/kg) without modifying spontaneous locomotor activity. At the highest doses (300 and 500 mg/kg), Aya also showed selectivity to both acute and sensitized Eth responses. Finally, a counter-sensitization strategy with 100 or 300 mg/kg of Aya for 8 consecutive days after the establishment of Eth-induced behavioral sensitization was effective in blocking its subsequent expression on an Eth challenge.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that Aya not only inhibits early behaviors associated with the initiation and development of Eth addiction, but also showed effectiveness in reversing long-term drug effects expression, inhibiting the reinstatement of Eth-induced behavioral sensitization when administered in the Eth-associated environment.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Ayahuasca attenuated the development of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization at all doses tested and blocked its subsequent expression after a counter-sensitization protocol.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on ayahuasca for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effects of the hallucinogenic beverage ayahuasca on voluntary ethanol intake by rats and on cFos expression in brain areas relevant to drug addiction Wistar rats | 2019 | Animal experiment | |
| Ayahuasca blocks ethanol preference in an animal model of dependence and shows no acute toxicity Mice | 2021 | Preclinical study | |
| Phytochemical and Neuropharmacological Evaluation of Banisteriopsis caapi, Paullinia cupana, and Turnera diffusa for Potential Anti-Addiction Activity | 2026 | Computational and in vitro study | |
| Ayahuasca prevents the reinstatement of cocaine-induced rewarding effects in C57Bl/6 mice. C57Bl/6 mice | 2025 | Experimental study | |
| Ayahuasca treatment reduces 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations and modifies mesocorticolimbic monoamine neurochemistry in rats. Adult male Wistar rats | 2026 | Randomized controlled trial |
Citations in the library
Cited by 70
- Antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive effects of ayahuasca, psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): a systematic review of clinical trials published in the last 25 years Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology March 18, 2016
- Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use Journal of Psychopharmacology May 14, 2019
- The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization. Frontiers in Pharmacology March 2, 2016
- Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential Brain Research Bulletin March 11, 2016
- Ayahuasca: Psychological and Physiologic Effects, Pharmacology and Potential Uses in Addiction and Mental Illness Current Neuropharmacology March 2, 2018
and 65 more in the library
Cites 16
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants: Tryptamine and β-carboline constituents of Ayahuasca Journal of Ethnopharmacology April 1, 1984
- Human Psychopharmacology of Hoasca, A Plant Hallucinogen Used in Ritual Context in Brazil The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease February 1, 1996
- Ayahuasca-Assisted Therapy for Addiction: Results from a Preliminary Observational Study in Canada Current Drug Abuse Reviews June 1, 2013
- Risk assessment of ritual use of oral dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmala alkaloids Addiction December 20, 2006
- Assessment of addiction severity among ritual users of ayahuasca Drug and Alcohol Dependence June 17, 2010
and 11 more in the library