N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and Amazonian ayahuasca plant medicine

Abstract

Objective Reports have indicated possible uses of ayahuasca for the treatment of conditions including depression, addictions, post‐traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and specific psychoneuroendocrine immune system pathologies. The article assesses potential ayahuasca and N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (DMT) integration with contemporary healthcare. The review also seeks to provide a summary of selected literature regarding the mechanisms of action of DMT and ayahuasca; and assess to what extent the state of research can explain reports of unusual phenomenology. Design A narrative review. Results Compounds in ayahuasca have been found to bind to serotonergic receptors, glutaminergic receptors, sigma‐1 receptors, trace amine‐associated receptors, and modulate BDNF expression and the dopaminergic system. Subjective effects are associated with increased delta and theta oscillations in amygdala and hippocampal regions, decreased alpha wave activity in the default mode network, and stimulations of vision‐related brain regions particularly in the visual association cortex. Both biological processes and field of consciousness models have been proposed to explain subjective effects of DMT and ayahuasca, however, the evidence supporting the proposed models is not sufficient to make confident conclusions. Ayahuasca plant medicine and DMT represent potentially novel treatment modalities. Conclusions Further research is required to clarify the mechanisms of action and develop treatments which can be made available to the general public. Integration between healthcare research institutions and reputable practitioners in the Amazon is recommended.

5‐MeO‐DMT has not been found in traditional ayahuasca preparations and the combination of 5‐MeO‐DMT with MAOIs is dangerous

“…Usona Foundatio I was concerned to read the section about 5-MeO-DMT in the published article entitled "N,N-dimethyltryptamine and Amazonian ayahuasca plant medicine" (James et al, 2022). In particular, the mention of 5-MeO-DMT as being part of ayahuasca brews.…”

“…James et al, 2022 cite a paper byRiga et al, 2014 which, in its title, names 5-MeO-DMT as a component of ayahuasca brews. AlthoughRiga et al, 2014 makes this claim in the title and in the introductory sentence, the article is not about the analysis of ayahuasca but rather is a study about the effects of 5-MeO-DMT on cortical function.…”

Application of Deuterated N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in the Potential Treatment of Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders

“…The table below shows results from human hepatocytes assays conducted with D 6 -DMT and D 8 -DMT, which indicated that intrinsic clearance of D 8 -DMT displayed a 2.1 change from that of DMT (SPL026). …”

3,4-Methylenedioxy methamphetamine, synthetic cathinones and psychedelics: From recreational to novel psychotherapeutic drugs

“…(179, 184) as reviews]. Moreover, improvements of mood disorders have been reported after its consumption even after a single dose (184)(185)(186).…”