Episode Summary:

Dr. Dan discusses the efficacy of ayahuasca medicine based on what is known in the scientific literature 

Topics discussed are as follows:

1. Introduction to ayahuasca
2. Main ingredients and preparation of ayahuasca
3. Ayahuasca usage in traditional medicine
4. Hard science behind ayahuasca
5. Toxicity and mode of action of ayahuasca
6. Legal status of ayahuasca
7. Summary and future outlook

Episode References:

• General health study on ayahuasca: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30732540
• Ayahuasca and mental health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30105399
• Depression and ayahuasca: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26650973
• Ayahuasca and eating disorders: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30474794
• Ayahuasca and mindfulness: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28525587
• Creativity and ayahuasca: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23061318
• Ayahuasca and addiction recovery: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23627784
• Ayahuasca doesn’t appear to be toxic: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30582439
• Interaction of ayahuasca with the endocannabinoid system: https://journals.lww.com/psychopharmacology/Citation/2018/12000/Possible_Interactions_Between_5_HT2A_Receptors_and.22.aspx