The unpaved road of ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew, as a treatment for neuropathic pain: A review of mechanistic insights and clinical prospects
Bianca Castro Dos Santos, Ana Kéren Gomes Reis, Ricardo Aparecido Baptista Nucci, Ana Carolina Pinheiro Campos, Daniel Oliveira Martins, Dimitri Daldegan-Bueno, Rosana L. Pagano
Brain Behavior and Immunity Integrative September 14, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbii.2024.100087 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Neuropathic pain |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Ayahuasca may modulate neuropathic pain by reducing default mode network activity, activating serotonin and sigma-1 receptors, and modulating immune responses, but rigorous research is needed. |
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP), a debilitating and chronic condition often accompanied by comorbid depression, presents significant therapeutic challenges. While conventional pharmacological treatments, though valuable, usually fall short in addressing their multifaceted nature, the pursuit of innovative solutions has led to the exploration of ayahuasca , a psychedelic brew originating from Amazonian plants, as a promising candidate. Recent investigations have unveiled its therapeutic potential in psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, characterized by notable alterations in mood-regulatory brain networks . In this narrative review, we explore ayahuasca's potential role in modulating neuropathic pain. Through the analysis of preclinical studies and functional MRI analyses, we aim to elucidate its influence on the affective-motivational component of pain perception and the complex immune modulation intrinsic to the pathophysiology of NP. Ayahuasca demonstrates the capacity to reduce activity within regions of the default mode network , closely linked with depression, thereby presenting a novel approach to addressing the interwoven complexities of chronic pain and mood disturbances. Furthermore, its potential to activate serotonin and sigma-1 receptors and modulate the immune/inflammatory response, including glial cells and the midbrain periaqueductal gray , a pivotal brain structure in the propagation and modulation of pain, provides valuable insights into its analgesic mechanisms. Despite these promising insights, we emphasize the imperative of rigorous research to establish the efficacy and safety, mechanisms of action, and long-term effects of ayahuasca therapy in the context of NP.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ayahuasca, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 59
- The Brain's Default Mode Network Annual Review of Neuroscience May 4, 2015
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- The Hallucinogen N,N -Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Is an Endogenous Sigma-1 Receptor Regulator Science February 13, 2009
- The Psychedelic State Induced by Ayahuasca Modulates the Activity and Connectivity of the Default Mode Network PLoS One February 18, 2015
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants: Tryptamine and β-carboline constituents of Ayahuasca Journal of Ethnopharmacology April 1, 1984
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