Evaluation of the Pharmacological Potential of Ayahuasca Tea in the Management of Anxiety and Depression

Abstract

Introduction: The vicissitudes of modern life, social, economic and behavioral instabilities have caused the consumption of teas, medicines, drugs and alcohol to increase as an alternative to escape from dayto-day problems. In recent years, some studies have shown the anxiolytic and antidepressant potential of Ayahuasca tea, based on reports by adherents of religious sects who seek a meaning for life or answers to their personal problems.

Objective: The present study aims to analyze, in the light of a scientific context, the pharmacological potential of plants (Ayahuasca tea) in the treatment of depression, anxiety and panic syndrome.

Material and methods: A bibliographic review was carried out in the electronic databases LILACS, SciELO, BDENF and CAPES between 1990 and 2019.

Results: The analysis of the results shows that tea has anxiolytic and antidepressant potential due to the presence of tricyclic and beta-carbonyl compounds whose standardization in pharmaceutical forms may present alternatives for the management of anxiety and depression.

Conclusions: Despite the anxiolytic and antidepressant potential, its use in the form of crude infusion is discouraged due to the lack of dose standardization, its hallucinogenic and toxicological potential.