Two decades of ayahuasca research: What have we learned – Jordi Riba (suomenkielinen tekstitys)

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A talk by Dr Jordi Riba, head of the Human Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group at the Sant Pau Institute of Biomedical Research, Barcelona, at the Psykedeelinäkymiä 2017 symposium, organized by the Finnish Association for Psychedelic Research on September 20, 2017, in Helsinki, Finland.

In this talk, Dr Jorbi Riba reflects on what he's learned about ayahuasca and himself over 20 years spent studying the psychedelic brew. Riba explores the pharmacology of ayahuasca, as well as its physiological and subjective effects, and presents findings on its effects on the brain as seen by brain imaging techniques and results from preliminary clinical work and observational studies.

Research with healthy subjects suggests increases in mindfulness-related capacities after a single ayahuasca dose. Such increases are related to changes in functional connectivity revealed by brain imaging. Future studies comparing mindfulness meditation training with and without ayahuasca sessions are planned.

Recent results show neurogenerative effects of harmala alkaloids present in ayahuasca on hippocampal neural stem cells in vitro. These findings suggest that the harmala alkaloids play a role in the brew's effects beyond making DMT orally active. Hypothetically, the promotion of neurogenesis may account for some of ayahuasca's possible therapeutic effects.

Finally, the results of two small pilot clinical studies point to rapid antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca among those with recurrent depression. An as yet unpublished larger, controlled study found similar results in the short term. Observational studies also suggest potential in addiction rehabilitation.

A brief Q&A session follows.