Effects of ayahuasca on brain activity

Sponsors: Brazilian federal agences (CNPq, CAPES; FINEP; The Sao Paulo State financial agency (FAPESP). Investigators: Draulio de Araujo, Jose Alexandre Crippa, Jaime Hallak and Sidarta Ribeiro Summary: These projects examined the effects of ayahuasca on visual perception and imagery using functional magnetic resonance imaging. The first publication reports that the researchers found that ayahuasca strongly increased activity several occipital, temporal, and frontal areas. There are plans to publish more research findings.

Various study links pertaining to the topic:

  • Seeing with the eyes shut: neural basis of enhanced imagery following ayahuasca ingestion
  • The psychedelic state induced by ayahuasca modulates the activity and connectivity of the default mode network
  • Long-term use of psychedelic drugs is associated with differences in brain structure and personality in humans
  • Shannon entropy of brain functional complex networks under the influence of the psychedelic Ayahuasca
  • Assessing the psychedelic “after-glow” in ayahuasca users: post-acute neurometabolic and functional connectivity changes are associated with enhanced mindfulness capacities
  • Characterizing complex networks using entropy-degree diagrams: unveiling changes in functional brain connectivity induced by Ayahuasca
  • Subacute effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca on the salience and default mode networks