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New World Tryptamine Hallucinogens and the Neuroscience of Ayahuasca

Dennis J. Mckenna, Jordi Riba

Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2015 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2015_368 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Topics Ayahuasca Psilocybin Shamanism
Keywords Tryptamine Hallucinogen Indigenous Ecology Alkaloids
Citations 31
Key findings New World psychedelic plant preparations are botanically diverse but chemically similar, with active principles that are tryptamine derivatives like DMT.

Abstract

New World indigenous peoples are noted for their sophisticated use of psychedelic plants in shamanic and ethnomedical practices. The use of psychedelic plant preparations among New World tribes is far more prevalent than in the Old World. Yet, although these preparations are botanically diverse, almost all are chemically similar in that their active principles are tryptamine derivatives, either DMT or related constituents. Part 1 of this paper provides an ethnopharmacological overview of the major tryptamine-containing New WorldNew World hallucinogensHallucinogens .

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on ayahuasca, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Peganum harmala and its main alkaloids 2013 Review
Clinical investigations of the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca: rationale and regulatory challenges. 2004 Review
The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization. General 2016 Review
Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential 2016 Review
Hallucinogens and dissociative agents naturally growing in the United States. 2004 Review

Citations in the library

Cited by 26

and 21 more in the library

Cites 4

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Ayahuasca Psilocybin Shamanism DMT