I have discussed hallucinogenic plants like Ayahuasca many times over the years. I believe there is a place in medicine for these plants and other plants. When I find an original article or research about such plants I feel it is my duty or rather pleasure to share the results with you.
In last months , Herbalgram , a monthly magazine published by the American Botanical Council featured such an article on Ayahuasca. From the article, “ Ayahuasca decoction is used in traditional medicine and spiritual rituals by indigenous people of the Amazon Basin. It is often prepared by boiling the stems of the caapi or yagé (Banisteriopsis caapi, Malpighiaceae) vine with the leaves of chacruna (Psychotria viridis, Rubiaceae) or chaliponga (Diplopterys cabrerana, Malpighiaceae) depending on the geographical locale and plant availability. “
It has been shown that this plant has antidepressant and anti anxioplytic benefits due to monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) activity and serotonin activity
The authors conclude that the severity of grief significantly decreased after drinking ayahuasca, and the effect was maintained over a one-year follow-up There is a role for these plants in conventional medicine ( or allopathic medicine )
There are limitations to any study. For one this was a small number of participants- 50.
González D, Cantillo J, Pérez I, et al. Therapeutic potential of ayahuasca in grief: a prospective, observational study. Psychopharmacol. 2020;237:1171-1182. doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05446-2.
Until tomorrow…