Brazilian Scientists Sequence the DNA of Ayahuasca
The study, which brought together researchers from UFRJ and Unesp, observed two cellular organelles from Chacrona, a plant used to make the tea for spiritual and therapeutic purposes.
By Sechat editorial team with information from Estudantes Ninja
Researcher and PhD in bioinformatics specializing in genomics at UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), Francisco Prosdocimi, and PhD in biotechnology and researcher at Unesp (São Paulo State University), Alessandro Varani, sequenced the DNA of two cellular organelles (mitochondria and chloroplast) from Chacrona (Psychotria viridis) - one of the plants used in the preparation of Ayahuasca tea - commonly used in religious rituals.
The research, funded by FAPERJ (Foundation for Research Support of the State of RJ), involved collaboration with União do Vegetal (UDV), a spiritual group that sent samples for processing at the University of Arizona, an institution with extensive experience in plant genomes.
“I believe that knowledge and basic science are important to better clarify how the healing of ayahuasca occurs from a scientific perspective,” highlighted Prosdocimi.
The researcher also emphasizes that he hopes to find the proteins responsible for the biochemical pathways of producing Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) - the hallucinogen known as the “spirit molecule” - which, when mixed with the alkaloids of mariri (Banisteriopsis caapi), a type of vine, results in the ayahuasca tea used in religious rituals. It is believed that DMT, along with the alkaloids, is responsible for the psychoactive effect of the tea.
Professor Varani, in turn, intends to analyze the genomes of the mariri vine to elucidate the mysteries surrounding its variations, the morphotypes caupuri and tucunacá. The researcher believes they are different species.
As outlined in the Nagoya Protocol, Prosdocimi believes that the benefits of the research should be shared with indigenous peoples, but states that the sharing should be conducted through the State: “It seems to me that ayahuasca is a diffuse traditional knowledge that has emerged independently several times.”