Important new research project about ayahuasca in the USA
Bia Labate
Title: ‘Safety and neurochemical effects of ayahuasca in healthy adults: Phase I and II studies
Principle investigator: Leanna Standish, ND, PhD at Bastyr University in Seattle (see a text of her here).
Summary presented in an National Institue of Health (NIH) grant proposal
Background: Ayahuasca is an ancient Amazonian psychoactive botanical extract used as a tea for religious and medical purposes in S. America, N. America and Europe, with increasing use by the U.S. public. Little is understood about its potential dangers or its potential therapeutic activity in psychiatric and neurological disorders as a novel monoamine neuromodulatory botanical drug. Our goal is to evaluate the safety of this potential drug of abuse and potential therapeutic applications of ayahuasca by studying its physiological and psychological effects, as well as its peripheral and central neurochemical effects at dosages that are typical for the religious use of this substance.
Methods: 66 healthy adults who are naïve to ayahuasca in Phase I and naive to all hallucinogenic drugs in Phase II, will be screened, consented and enrolled. Phase I (n=30) is a single-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding, dose-escalation pharmacokinetic and safety study. Both psychological and physiological safety will be evaluated. Phase II (n=36) is a double-blind, placebo controlled randomized study that will use a dose determined in Phase I to measure the psychological effects, peripheral serotonergic effects and the central effects on gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), glutamate, N-acetyl aspartate and choline. We will 1) determine the minimally effective dose of ayahuasca and correlate with plasma levels of the known active constituents (dimethyltryptamine, harmine, harmaline, tetrahydroharmine), 2) describe quantitatively the dose-response pharmacokinetics of ayahuasca’s active constituents following oral administration, 3) quantitate monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B inhibition in plasma from human subjects and to describe the dose-response pharmacokinetics of MAO inhibitor activity following oral administration of ayahuasca, and 4) conduct a Phase II study of the neurochemical effects of repeated exposure to ayahuasca. We will measure 1) psychological changes using a battery of standardized psychological tests, 2) serotonergic changes in platelet 5-HT transporter binding using the 3H-citalopram binding assay, and 3) changes in brain N-acetyl aspartate, GABA, glutamate and choline levels using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging with spectral editing.
Significance: Ayahuasca is used by thousands of people throughout the U.S. yet its safety across doses has not been studied. The alkaloids contained in ayahuasca represent a novel potent long-acting serotonin agonist with potential in the treatment of drug and alcohol abuse, depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. Phase I and II studies are needed to develop a standardized and safe botanical drug that has applications highly relevant to NIH’s mission, especially the mission of NIDA to develop new and more effective therapies to treat drug dependency, NIAAA’s mission to treat alcoholism, the mission of NIMH to develop new therapies for mood disorders and the mission of NCCAM to evaluate promising ethnomedicines.
Bia Labate is Beatriz Caiuby Labate or Bia Labate was born in São Paulo in 1971. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in 1996. In 2000 she obtained a master’s degree in social anthropology from the same university, receiving the Prize for Best Master’s Thesis from the National Association for Graduate Studies in Social Science (ANPOCS). Her doctoral research in social anthropology at UNICAMP focuses on the internationalization of Peruvian ayahuasca “vegetalismo.” She is co-editor of the books O uso ritual da ayahuasca (Mercado de Letras 2002) and O uso ritual das plantas de poder (Mercado de Letras, 2005) and author of the book A reinvenção do uso da ayahuasca nos centros urbanos (Mercado de Letras, 2004). She is a researcher with the Nucleus for Interdisciplinary Studies of Psychoactives (NEIP). In February 2005 she founded Alto das Estrelas, a private institute which promotes political activism, anthropological research and public events, in addition to researching the cultivation and preparation of vegetal species.
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Hello –
Do you plan to study the effects of ayahuasca on women? If so, I would be interested in participating. I live in the Seattle area.
Thank you.
Nina
Hello Bia,
I was directed by a Peruvian acquaintance to research treatment of alcohol addiction by ayahausca in the Peruvian jungle. He has been in residential treatment twice for alcoholism, but he attempted to take his life on Friday of this week. I believe he is suffering from depression as well as alcohol addiction. He is 33 years old and the father of two boys, ten and three. He is also a member of a native American tribe. I am interested in learning more about this treatment for him and possibly being part of your study.
Dennis Sweeney
I would love to know if this study will be going forward at Bastyr? I am very interested in volunteering for this and have done a fair amount of personal research on the substance.
Thank you,
Josh
Hi,
I also live in Seattle, am familiar with Bastyr, and would like to participate in your study.
Thanks,
Maria
I am a clinical doctoral student at the Inst of Tranpersonal Psych. I have never used a psychodelic drug previously (though had limited experience with marijuana in collage 13+ years ago). I suffer from mild Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with related mild depression. I would be very interested in participating in your study.
Regards
Michael Taylor
Dear Dr. Standish,
I am available for screening.
Thank you.
Hello,
I came across this about ayahuasca in searching for information and have lloked for the latest.
Can you provide any updates regarding studies and have a great interest in this unique wonderful gift from god about this medicine.
Any information for study subjects and contact information on Leanna Standish would be greatly appreciated.
I would be interested in being a subject for participation when if the need presents itself.
Thank you
Keith Belluardo
Is this reseach project still viable? Is it in progress? I am retired and able to travel to and stay at the project site if selected. If not selected, are you aware of any similar reseach projects?Thanks. gary
my name is Shahana Fedele,
i’m currently enrolled in a master program in “biology nutrition”.
I’m looking forward to research on the properties of amazon plants and how the interact with the human body.
Could you suggest me research insititutes or programs that I could join?
I attended the panel discussion on this subject at Bastyr University in 2010 and would like to volunteer for this project. I hold a masters degree from Naropa University, and have a keen interest in the outcome of this study. Any available information you may have regarding the best resources for a continued study would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Hi Bia, I am looking to connect with you about a Spirit Plants Conference in Vancouver, BC, Canada and could not open the link to your email. My email is: Ashley@ConsciousLivingRadio.Org
Could we connect? Thank you, Ashley
with the rise in the awareness of plant medicine in particular ayahuaska, we urge the consumption of it only in a safe environment with trained shamans. should interest for ceremonies be present contact us for reliable sources. http://www.traditionalplantmedicine.com we lead serious ceremonies
Hello –
I live in the Albany/NYC area and am very interested in volunteering for this project.
Thank you!
I am a 42 yr old woman who has struggled with tussionex abuse for the past two years. I am very interested in volunteering for this project. My time and availability are pretty flexible. Please email me back for more contact information. Thank you!
Hello Bia,
I and we of the new Working Group on Psychoactive Plants are very interested in accompanying this project and if possible, p[articipating in it.
grde bjo, de seu amgo
robin
Are you currently recruiting for this study? I would be extremely interested.
Are you still recruiting? I would like to participate
I am a 29 year old male and Seattle resident, and have done extensive research on ayahuasca and would be honored to take part in a study that would extend our insight into this magnificent plant combination.
Greetings,
I am a 23 year old female residing on the west coast and am interested in participating in an Ayahuasca study.
It would be of profound benefit for all participants to keep detailed journals tracking their dietary consumption (diet is a foundational medicine in itself), as well as physical/emotional consciousness from day to day.
Warmly,
Jae
hello,
I have tried Ayahuasca 5 times in Brazil. I do not know if you would consider that being naive(re: ayahuasca) but I would be interested in the study. I also suffer from anxiety, ptsd.(which is the reason I tried it in the first place). I do consider myself healthy but wanted to mention that in case that is not something that you would want in your study. thank you.
If you are still recruiting for this study I would be interested in participating. I live in the Midwest so would need to know exactly what is entailed but would be willing to travel.
I ahve sufferde from depression anxiety and OCd most of my life. I would be interested in the study..
Can you please tell me where such a study exist. also what are the qualifying factors.
I have been marajuana and alcohol dependent for 35 years and would like to participate in a study using ayahuasca if possible. I have suffered from depression and anxiety for twenty some years and believe that ayahuasca may provide the spiritual experience to aid me in these areas. Thank you.
I am a 55 year old women. I have depression from losing my only child, my son, who was 20 years old. I would be interested in see if Ayahuasca would have an impact on my depression and any insight any kind of afterlife type of experience. I have read many descriptions of experiences and have been interested in traveling to brazil to have the experience. this would be ideal. I am available anytime and willing to travel anywhere.
I would like more info please. Are you still looking for participants?
if you still looking for more participants let me know .I am interested on ayahuasca study.
Thanks !
I am interested in participating in the ayahuasca study. I would also like more information please.
Thank you!
Hello. I am also interested in partcipating in this study, if you are still looking for volunteers. Please send more information. Thanks very much!
Hello. I am familiar with Bastyr, and am also interested in partcipating in this study, if you are still looking for volunteers. Please send information, if you are looking for people. Thanks very much!
<i am interested in participating in the study.
thanks
Dear Dr. Standish, I am excited by reports that I have about you. I offer my participation in the project as a volunteer. Drugs and alcohol have never misused. I have no experience with hallucinogens. I am 49 years old. You are great.
Peter
I am very interested in participating in this study! I have struggled with opiate pain killer addiction for approximately 5 years since I was prescribed these same drugs. This is causing me extreme depression, and, although, I am spiritual I am having a difficult time progressing on my spiritual path due to the addiction and subsequent depression.
I am 50 yo female, otherwise healthy.
Thank you!
Please consider me Naive but I am spiritually prepared for this journey
I would like very much to participate in such a study!
I would be very intrested in doing the study as I am already seeking to try this as an alternative therapy.
I would like to participate in this study.
Good Day,
My name is Justin Moore and I am very interested in being included in any trials to be executed concerning the medicinal use of ayahuasca. I have Crohn’s Disease as well as associated ankolysing spondolitis which has really taken a toll on my life to say the least. Quite frankly, I have been suffering from severe back pain since I can remember (maybe since late teens to early twenties). Long story short, after watching a movie concerning DMT in early medical trials (the show was available through Netfix and I believe it was called DMT: the spirit molecule). Ever since watching the show, I cannot, without great effort on my part, get the idea of its possible medicinal use concerning myself out of my head. Being an educated person (in the Western sense of the word), I was and still remain by necessity sceptical. For me, as I thought it was with all scientist, I remain skeptical to the useage of the drug (for lack of a better word) DMT. However, I will be completely honest and say that the idea of using it as a means to better cope with life in general simply won’t go away. To say the least, I am at this point desperate for an answer to my health issues that will allow me to be a better father, friend and person in general. I thank you for your time and hope to find answers.
Needless to say, my interest in finding a means to determine the efficacy of the (at the very least) somewhat beneficial properties of the molecule of interest (and I am assuming its derivatives) is a very personal one that simple will not cease.