How Amazonian Brew May Help Fight Cocaine's Brain Damage

Ayahuasca, a plant-based drink used in spiritual ceremonies, has two main active ingredients: DMT and harmine. DMT is a psychedelic compound, while harmine helps the body absorb DMT better. Recently, scientists wanted to see if these compounds could protect brain cells from the harmful effects of cocaine. In a lab, they tested these compounds on human brain cells. They exposed the cells to different amounts of DMT, harmine, and cocaine. They found that when they combined DMT and harmine with cocaine, the brain cells were less likely to die. This suggests that these compounds might help protect the brain from cocaine's toxic effects.The scientists also looked at how these compounds affected proteins related to cell death. They found that DMT and harmine reduced the activity of a protein called caspase-8, which is involved in cell death. This further supports the idea that these compounds might have protective effects. However, it's important to note that this study was done in a lab, not in humans. More research is needed to understand if these findings can be applied to real-life situations. Also, ayahuasca is a powerful substance with potential risks, so it should not be used without proper guidance and supervision.