Ayahuasca and cancer treatment

摘要: Objectives: Comprehensively review the evidence regarding use of ayahuasca, an Amerindian medicine traditionally used to treat many different illnesses and diseases, some types cancer. Methods: An in-depth literature was conducted using PubMed, books, institutional magazines, conferences online texts in nonprofessional sources biomedical knowledge about ayahuasca general with a specific focus its possible relations treatment Results: At least nine case reports prostate, brain, ovarian, uterine, stomach, breast, colon cancers were found. Several these considered improvements, one worse, rated as difficult evaluate. A theoretical model is presented which explains effects at cellular, molecular, psychosocial levels. Particular attention given ayahuasca’s pharmacological through activity N,N-dimethyltryptamine intracellular sigma-1 receptors. The other components such harmine, tetrahydroharmine, harmaline, are also considered. Conclusion: proposed model, based on molecular cellular biology known active available clinical reports, suggests that accounts may have consistent biological underpinnings. Further study antitumor important because cancer patients continue seek out this traditional medicine. Consequently, social anthropological observations brew, suggestions provided for further research into safety efficacy medicinal aid