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[email protected] Current Neuropharmacology, 2019, 17, 108-128 REVIEW ARTICLE ISSN: 1570-159X eISSN: 1875-6190 Ayahuasca: Psychological and Physiologic Effects, Impact Factor: Pharmacology and Potential Uses in Addiction and 4.068 Mental Illness BENTHAM SCIENCE Jonathan Hamilla, Jaime Hallaka,b, Serdar M. Dursuna and Glen Bakera,* aDepartment of Psychiatry (Neurochemical Research Unit) and Neuroscience & Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; bDepartment of Neurosciences and Behavior and National Institute of Science and Technology (Translational Medicine), Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil Abstract: Background: Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian decoction with psychoactive proper- ties, is made from bark of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine (containing beta-carboline alkaloids) and leaves of the Psychotria viridis bush (supplying the hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine, DMT). Originally used by indigenous shamans for the purposes of spirit communication, magical experi- ences, healing, and religious rituals across several South American countries, ayahuasca has been incorporated into folk medicine and spiritual healing, and several Brazilian churches use it routinely to foster a spiritual experience. More recently, it is being used in Europe and North America, not only for religious or healing reasons, but also for recreation. Objective: To review ayahuasca’s behavioral effects, possible adverse effects, proposed mechanisms A R T I C L E H I S T O R Y of action and potential clinical uses in mental illness. Received: July 26, 2017 Method: We searched Medline, in English, using the terms ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine, Banis- Revised: November 07, 2017 teriopsis caapi, and Psychotria viridis and reviewed the relevant publications.