Mapping How Ayahuasca Affects Fear Circuits: Key Insights From New Research
As interest in psychedelic medicine grows, researchers are increasingly turning to natural substances like ayahuasca to explore their potential in treating mental health disorders. A recent review by researchers at the University of São Paulo sheds light on how ayahuasca – a traditional Amazonian brew containing DMT and β-carbolins – influences brain circuits associated with fear, anxiety and emotional processing. This synthesis of over a decade of research offers valuable insights into how ayahuasca may be used therapeutically for conditions such as PTSD and anxiety disorders.
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DMT and β-Carbolines: Key Components In Emotional Regulation
Ayahuasca’s primary psychoactive compound, DMT, acts on serotonin receptors in the brain, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor. This receptor plays a vital role in emotional regulation and has long been associated with the effects of various psychedelics.
“By examining evidence across multiple levels—from receptor interactions to clinical outcomes—we can better understand how this traditional medicine might help treat anxiety and trauma-related disorders,” says Dr. Rafael Guimarães dos Santos, one of the authors of the review,
But ayahuasca’s effects extend beyond just DMT. The brew’s β-carboline compounds, which include harmine and harmaline, engage different molecular pathways to affect memory …