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Clinical pharmacology of ayahuasca: potential applications and future considerations

Lorena Terene Lopes Guerra, Isabella Caroline Da Silva Dias, Jaime E. C. Hallak, Rafael G. Dos Santos

Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology October 3, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2025.2577726 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Topics Ayahuasca
Keywords Clinical pharmacology Limiting Safety pharmacology Systems pharmacology Clinical trial Drug Intensive care medicine Engineering ethics Risk analysis engineering
Citations 2
Key findings Few controlled studies exist on ayahuasca, limiting conclusions on safety and efficacy, and its variable composition drives research toward isolated compounds.

Abstract

Similar to what happens with other psychedelics, there is an ongoing debate on subjective experience contribution to overall therapeutic mechanisms, which can depend on the targeted conditions. There are very few evidences from controlled studies, limiting the conclusions on safety and efficacy. On top of that, ayahuasca highly variable composition posits another challenge, and studies using isolated compounds are being developed.

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 2

Cites 75

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