The current study will assess the neurocognitive effects of ayahuasca on brain activity and neurometabolite concentration, and how these effects correlate with various measures assessing subjective state and cognitive flexibility.
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Condition
- Other condition
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Health condition
no condition
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The main study parameter is the drug induced change in brain activity and
neurometabolite concentration when comparing ayahuasca to baseline.
Secondary outcome
Additionally, the change in subjective state and cognitive flexibility will be
assessed and correlated with the neurological effects. Lastly, we will evaluate
the modulatory effects of the ceremonial setting on these changes through a
controlled music paradigm.
Background summary
Ayahuasca, a South American psychotropic plant tea, has been traditionally used
for centuries by indigenous and mestizo populations throughout the Amazon Basin
for magical, ritual, and medicinal purposes. In the last few decades, there has
also been an increase in the availability of the brew to non-Amazonian
populations. Subsequently, there has been an increase of anecdotal reports from
ayahuasca users regarding the acute and long-term effects of the substance,
with many claiming that the substance has positive and therapeutic potential
for psychosocial, emotional, and substance-related problems. Ayahuasca contains
the *-carboline alkaloids harmine, tetrahydroharmine, and harmaline, and the
tryptamine N, N dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogen that is structurally
similar to serotonin (5-HT).
Similar to other serotonergic hallucinogens, 5-HT2A receptor activation is the
suggested mechanism for the acute subjective effects of ayahuasca, which
include perceptual modifications, increased rates of thinking when eyes are
closed, and increased emotional lability. It is hypothesized that the effects
of DMT can include brain network connectivity alterations, changes in
neurometabolite concentrations, and cognitive changes such as enhancements in
flexible (creative) thinking. Although interest into these mechanisms is high,
the ability to perform controlled studies with ayahuasca is extremely
difficult, due to a lack of availability of a GMP quality substance.
Observational studies have been proposed as an alternative to controlled
studies with ayahuasca. Observational studies employ the fact that ayahuasca is
used in ceremonial settings. Facilitators of these ceremonies have allowed
researchers from our group to *observe* and invite ceremony participants to
participate in an academic research project. The present study will also employ
an observational design, but in addition use functional imaging for assessing
the neural correlates of the acute ayahuasca experience, in relation to
subjective outcomes including ratings of substance intensity, well-being, and
cognitive alterations. To study the facilitating effect of the ceremonial
setting on subjective experiences, we will make use of a ritualistic music
paradigm during the imaging. Furthermore, as it is likely that acute functional
and behavioral changes induced by ayahuasca are accompanied by changes in
neurochemistry, neurometabolite concentrations will be assessed.
Study objective
The current study will assess the neurocognitive effects of ayahuasca on brain
activity and neurometabolite concentration, and how these effects correlate
with various measures assessing subjective state and cognitive flexibility.
Study design
Observational study
Study burden and risks
Participants will visit the lab twice. Both testing days will include
completion of questionnaires and cognitive tasks, as well as 1 hour in the MRI
scanner. However, the second testing day will be performed after their regular
church meeting, while individuals are under the influence of ayahuasca. On the
second testing day a single small blood sample will be taken to measure drug
concentrations. Throughout the whole procedure a Santo Daime facilitator will
be present to ascertain the participant*s well-being.
Universiteitssingel 40
Maastricht 6229ER
NL
Universiteitssingel 40
Maastricht 6229ER
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
* Must be a member of the Santo Daime church, who volunteers to participate in
the research project.
* Must be older than 18 years of age.
Exclusion criteria
* Medical devices and implants containing metal (e.g. pacemakers, copper birth
control spirals, permanent jewelry, aneurysm clips, hearing aids)
* Permanent make-up and other large tattoos
* Pregnancy or lactation.
* Use of (medicinal) substances in the past 24 hours which can interact with
MAO inhibitors, including further MAO inhibitors (tranylcypromine, Parnate,
Nardil, Aurorix, etc), all sympathomimetics (including amphetamine, cocaine,
methylphenidate, ephedrine, metaraminol, certain asthma agents), certain
medicines for cough, cold, hay fever, and allergies that are available without
a prescription, such as Otrivin and dextromethorphan-containing agents (Dampo,
VapoTab *Vicks*, Darolan and others) and antihistamines, diet medication (such
as Ponderal), all antidepressants including SSRIs (citalopram, sertraline, etc)
and trycyclic antidepresssents (clomipramine, etc), certain anti-asthma
medications such as Berotec, Bricanyl, Ventolin, Salbutamol, Terbutaline,
Pulmadil, or Serevent, blood pressure medication (beta blockers, methyldopa,
thiazide diuretics, calcium antagonists, and ace inhibitors), antimicrobials or
antibiotics, narcotic analgesices (including pethidine), or other substances
like St. John*s wort, lithium, alprazolam, buspirone, L-tryptophan, L-DOPA,
disulfiram, hydralazine (such as Apresoline), and carbamazepine (such as
Tegretol).
* Use of Prozac in the past 2 weeks.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL70901.068.19 |