title: Immunological effects of ayahuasca in humans.
abstract: Ayahuasca is a botanical hallucinogen traditionally used by indigenous groups of the northwest Amazon. In the last decade, the use of ayahuasca has spread from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Africa. Despite acute and long-term evidence of good tolerability and safety for ayahuasca administered in the laboratory or ritually consumed in religious contexts, little is known about the immunological impact of ayahuasca on humans. Since ayahuasca is used by an increasing number of consumers, and considering its therapeutic potential, more information is needed regarding ayahuasca potential risks. This article presents a brief overview of the available data regarding the immunological impact of ayahuasca in humans.
authors.affiliation: a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Neuroscience and Behavior , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Advisory Board, International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research & Service, ICEERS , Halsteren , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rafael Guimarães
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: dos Santos
mesh_terms: D031581:Banisteriopsis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004130:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D058830:Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D058830:Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; D004130:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine
keywords: ayahuasca; dimethyltryptamine; hallucinogens; harmine; immunomodulation