TLDR: Biomedical scientists from Spain recently found that DMT (plant-derived drug in Ayahuasca) can massively improve memory and learning, through the birth of new neurons (i.e. neurogenesis).<p>From this research, it was wonderful to discover:<p>-Neurogenesis is an effective treatment for clinical depression<p>-Diseases like Alzheimer's and Dementia kill neurogenesis<p>Could DMT become like a coffee of the future?
One of the strangest, open questions about ayahuasca, is how indigenous people in the Amazon managed to figure out the formulation needed to orally activate the DMT with MAOI, given the ~50,000 or more species of plants in that region.
...in mice. Mouse brain architecture is still quite different from ours. Although it's an enormously useful animal to study for basic neuroscience principles, the specific neuroscience results don't replicate cleanly in primates.<p>I would wait until replication in primates (human or non-human) before drinking ayahuasca to grow brain cells.
>> Then behavioral analysis was performed as previously described during 10 days, and finally, animals were “sacrificed” on day 31.<p>Is “sacrificing” a common practice after test is finished? I’m probably not supposed to be bothered by this, but still kinda feels sad. On the other hand the discovery is fascinating. I guess it’s all part of the deal.
We know that psilocybin alleviates depression by reducing inflammation in the brain, but how?<p>My pet theory is that given the antiviral properties of fungii, psilocybin cubensis kills off undiscovered viruses in the brain stem, allowing inflammation to recede.<p>(Psilocybin also triggers neurogenesis.)
I guess this could be a good treatment for people who have severe symptoms. Or maybe they can find a way to prevent the hallucinations or create a similar drug without those effects. Otherwise, it seems like the person would be injected every other day and lose most of that day to side effects.
I remember reading somewhere that if you’re willing to put up with feeling like you’re on the edge to falling into hell for a few days, you can remedy yourself out of depression. I wonder if this puts some weight behind that assumption people have been talking about.
I always see these hallucinogenic articles and think wow why is everyone advertising for hallucinogenic usage. I don't drink, not a single drug besides caffeine and never smoked but there is an appeal to use hallucinogenic for health reasons is crazy to me.<p>I am too square I guess.