Evidence on the impairing effects of Ayahuasca on fear memory reconsolidation.
Daiane Momo Daneluz, Jeferson Machado Batista Sohn, Gabriela O Silveira, Mauricio Yonamine, Cristina Aparecida Stern
Psychopharmacology October 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06217-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Fear-conditioned Wistar rats |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Dose | 60, 120, or 240 mg/kg |
| Topics | DMT PTSD Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Fear conditioning Mao-a Memory consolidation Β-carbolines Psychedelics entheogens Hallucinogens Trauma Memory memory reconsolidation |
| Key findings | Ayahuasca at 60 mg/kg impairs fear memory reconsolidation when given 20 minutes before or 3 hours after memory retrieval, with effects lasting at least 22 days and no spontaneous recovery or reinstatement. |
Abstract
To uncover whether psychedelic drugs attenuate fear memory responses would advance the development of better psychedelic-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Ayahuasca (AYA), a psychedelic brew containing indolamine N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carbolines, facilitates fear extinction and improves neural plasticity. Upon retrieval, fear memory undergoes labilization and reconsolidation; however, the effects of AYA on this memory stabilization phase are unknown. We aimed to investigate the effects of AYA treatment on fear memory reconsolidation. Fear-conditioned Wistar rats received AYA (60, 120, or 240 mg/kg) or H2O orally via gavage o.g. 20 min before, immediately, or 3 h after a short retrieval session. Analysis of AYA through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the content of DMT and β-carbolines in AYA. AYA impaired fear memory reconsolidation when given 20 min before or 3 h after memory retrieval, with the dose of 60 mg/kg being effective at both moments. This dose of AYA was devoid of anxiolytic effect. Importantly, during retrieval, AYA did not change fear expression. The lack of retrieval abolished the reconsolidation impairing effect of AYA. The effects of AYA treatment 20 min before or 3 h after memory retrieval lasted at least 22 days, suggesting no spontaneous recovery of fear memory. Fear memory impairments induced by AYA treatment, at both moments, do not show reinstatement. Our findings support the view that a low dose of AYA treatment impairs early and late stages of memory reconsolidation instead of facilitating fear extinction.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 11
- Psychedelic-Induced Neural Plasticity: A Comprehensive Review and a Discussion of Clinical Implications. Brain Sciences January 25, 2025
- Ayahuasca-enhanced extinction of fear behaviour: Role of infralimbic cortex 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors. British Journal of Pharmacology June 1, 2024
- Psychedelics: A review of their effects on recalled aversive memories and fear/anxiety expression in rodents Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 20, 2024
- How Psychedelics Modulate Multiple Memory Mechanisms in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Drugs November 1, 2024
- The Clinical Potential of Dimethyltryptamine: Breakthroughs into the Other Side of Mental Illness, Neurodegeneration, and Consciousness Psychoactives February 26, 2024
and 6 more in the library
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