Ayahuasca versus violence--a case report.
We have limited resources available for the treatment and prevention of violent behavior. The usefulness of the most commonly used medications, namely the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor [SSRI] agents for the above purpose is a debated issue in the psychiatric literature. The aim of this case report is to add an ethnopharmacological perspective to the management of human aggression. Particularly, attention is called to the potential prosocial effect of the Amazonian beverage, ayahuasca--a decoctum, which has been used traditionally for multiple medico-religious purposes by numerous indigenous groups of the Upper Amazon--and has been found to be useful in crisis intervention, achieving redemption, as well as eliciting cathartic feelings with moral content.
Frecska
Ede
E
National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Budapest, Hungary. efrecska@hotmail.com
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D031581:Banisteriopsis; D002399:Catharsis; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D055030:Drug Users; D006246:Harmaline / Q000494:pharmacology; D006247:Harmine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009014:Morals; D004130:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014754:Violence
D006246:Harmaline; D006247:Harmine; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D004130:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine; D028321:Plant Preparations; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors