The last decade of scientific research on brain activity has brought a number of amazing discoveries.

Actually, science has been studying Ayahuasca and its healing abilities not so long ago.

There are serious discussions on whether it has sense to use Ayahuasca for the treatment of such serious diseases as cancer, diabetes, depressive disorders, mental disorders, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Discussions about the use of ayahuasca for the treatment of serious diseases

The stumbling block in these disputes is usually the insufficient amount of materials obtained in the course of research. Officially authorized by state authorities, Ayahuasca research has been conducted so far only in a narrow circle of countries and scientific institutions.

At the moment there is no unambiguous and definitive answer for the question of how Ayahuasca treats and how she answers questions about life and the structure of the universe.

Official science and shamanic practices about the healing effect of Ayahuasca

Studies of Ayahuasca and its therapeutic effect by official science are conducted in parallel with the shamanic practices of the ancient culture of the Amazonian jungle tribes. The points of view of traditional science and shamans of the Amazon are converging from year to year. It’s time to ask the question: who “prompts” science discoveries in this area?

Despite everything, research continues, and many mysterious phenomena, previously considered a miracle, receive a completely scientific justification.

If you are not yet sure of the absence of harmful effects on the body from the use of Ayahuasca, and if you are interested in the mechanism of action of Ayahuasca, we can acquaint you with the latest scientific discoveries in this area.

Here are a few points where official science and shamanic practices come to a similar opinion on the issue of the therapeutic effect of Ayahuasca.

Nerve cell recovery and brain variability

Nerve cells are able to recover. The neurons of the brain do not die, as previously claimed by official science. Modern research data has confirmed that the human brain continues to form throughout a person’s life, starting from childhood. Today, this is a generally accepted point of view in neurology.

The brain is not subject to aging! He is able to constantly change, restore nerve cells, renew them (in the two most important areas) and even restore functions lost as a result of a nervous disease. The limits of his abilities in this point are not known yet.

More recently, science claimed that the main cause of brain aging is a violation of cell nutrition and the subsequent death of neurons. Today, research using advanced technologies makes it possible to assert that the number of healthy and functional brain neurons remains constant throughout the entire period of a person’s life! Their number does not change even in cases of diseases associated with memory loss, slowing reactions and other manifestations of aging of the body.

Brain resources and bilateralization. Mutual assistance of the right and left hemispheres

Where do the resources come from?

Scientists use the term “brain bilateralization”, which means mutual assistance of the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

Strengthening neural networks in other areas of the brain

That is, in case of a failure in one area of the neural network. Resources from other areas of the brain will be used to eliminate its consequences.

The most surprising thing is that scientists have recorded the boost of neural networks in other areas of the brain.

And this is evidence that the damaged area always has the second and even the third echelon of defense in reserve. From this it follows that people are potentially able to use the capabilities of their brain on a much larger scale.

Neuroplasticity and renewal of the nucleus basalis. Ayahuasca and neuroplasticity

Our brain has the ability to update the basal nucleus, which process initiates the process of neuroplasticity.

The term “neuroplasticity” means the ability to ensure the functioning of the brain and monitor its working condition.

We have already mentioned the ability of Ayahuasca to maintain neuroplasticity and stimulate the passive network of the brain. This ability of the liana was discovered during a study of the therapeutic effect of the liana on severe forms of depression for comparison with the effect of antidepressants used by modern traditional medicine.

Study of the healing effects of Ayahuasca on the brain

For those who continue to doubt Ayahuasca’s healing abilities, here are some of the results obtained from the study of Ayahuasca’s ability to repair neurons and create new neural connections in the brain.

Ayahuasca stimulates neuroplasticity.

“To this day, shamans, astrologers and healers use this liana for the treatment and improvement of the body. Our study for the first time provides evidence of the psychotherapeutic effect of Ayahuasca, produced by neuroplastic changes in the brain,” writes Danish medical scientist Paul-Oryan H. Kremers is an employee of the research center of Aarhus University. (The research data were published in the scientific journal Cell)

Ayahuasca promotes the restoration of neurons

According to a study published in 2013 in the journal Pharmacotherapy Research, the substances contained in the liana stimulate neurogenesis (reproduction of neurons) directly, and even in cases of taking large doses of the drink or in cases of taking a single dose.

Ayahuasca updates the neural network

“The plant is able to change synapses, and especially axons. These changes are partly a consequence of the aberrant production of the neurotransmitter* in the frontal cortex.” – researchers write.

Neurologists call the term neurotransmitters (neurotransmitters, intermediaries) biologically active chemicals whose function is to transmit an electrochemical pulse from neuron to neuron through the synaptic space between them, as well as, for example, between a neuron and a muscle or a neuron and a glandular cell.

Ayahuasca improves memory, cognitive abilities and the ability to self-control

Another medical institution recently published research data, which shows that the participants of the experiment who drank 3% of the micro dose of the drink (QW-1265; Erowid, Inc) improved memory, increased cognitive abilities and self-control over 4 months of treatment.

It can already be considered as proven fact, which is admitted by official world science, that there are techniques which stimulate the creation of new neural connections in the brain and improve the functioning of existing connections. Attention is drawn to the fact that such changes in the neural networks of the brain have a long-term impact on the health of the body as a whole.

Thus, it can be considered confirmed that Ayahuasca causes long-term positive changes in the nervous system.

Read also in our blog:

Ayahuasca Dissolves Ego – Scientific research

Ayahuasca: Science and Shamanism. Two different views

What is an ayahuasca retreat and what is the difference between ayahuasca retreat and ayahuasca ceremony?

References:

1. “Neue Nervenzellen wachsen im menschlichen Gehirn nach”, Heike Le Ker, 2007,https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/neuronen-nachschub-neue-nervenzellen-wachsen-im-menschlichen-gehirn-nach-a-466673.html
2. “Evidence for stroke-induced neurogenesis in the human brain”, Kunlin Jin, Xiaomei Wang, Lin Xie, Xiao Ou Mao, Wei Zhu, Yin Wang, Jianfeng Shen, Ying Mao, Surita Banwait, and David A. Greenberg, PNAS August 29, 2006 103 (35) 13198-13202;https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0603512103
3. “Human Hippocampal Neurogenesis Persists throughout Aging” Maura Boldrini 9, 10, Camille A. Fulmore, Alexandria N. Tartt, Andrew J. Dwork, René Hen, J. John Mann, 2018https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/fulltext/S1934-5909(18)30121-8
4. “The alkaloids of Banisteriopsis caapi, the plant source of the Amazonian hallucinogen Ayahuasca, stimulate adult neurogenesis in vitro”, Jose A. Morales-García, Mario de la Fuente Revenga, Sandra Alonso-Gil, María Isabel Rodríguez-Franco, Amanda Feilding, Ana Perez-Castillo & Jordi Riba, 2017https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-05407-9