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Ayahuasca and Serotonin Normalization
The UDV Study

A controlled study conducted with 2 groups, the first composed of ayahuasca drinkers from the União do Vegetal (UDV), and a second control group was undertaken in Manaus, Brazil. The study included physical and psychological evaluations in addition to analysis of biological specimens.

Blood platelets were collected from UDV members who had used ayahuasca for at least 10 years, and who had not consumed the drink for at least one week. Ayahuasca is rarely consumed more frequently than every other week by most practitioners.

Blood platelets were also collected from the control group. 5-HT uptake activity was measured in platelets by displacing [3 H] citalopram with unlabelled paroxetine. A statistically significant (p= 0.006) difference was found between the two groups; the tea drinkers had a higher density (Bmax) of 5-HT uptake sites when compared to the control group and literature values, with an overall increased regulation of about 25% (Callaway et al.1994).

Increased regulation of 5-HT uptake is significant because of its implications regarding contemporary medical theory of depressive disorders. Increased serotonergic activity is exactly what current medications attempt to provide for depressive conditions. Inasmuch as this neurological change appears to be precipitated by ayahuasca, further studies are urgently needed to determine minimal effective dosage, onset time, and post-treatment effectiveness.

Should it be found that ayahuasca produces a normalization of the 5-HT (serotonin) uptake, then an important new treatment for depression disorders may be on the horizon which offers lasting benefit from occasional medication with virtually no negative side effects. Full and lasting remission from severe chronic depression has been frequently noted empirically from treatment with Ayahuasca but has not been documented scientifically due to inadequate research.

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