Science begins to seriously study the alkaloids of yagé. Among them, harmine shows promising effects in the lab: apoptosis, tumor suppression, epigenetic regulation.
In a time when the pharmaceutical industry and spiritual imaginaries compete to offer miracle solutions, the word “cure” must be used with extreme caution—especially when talking about cancer. In this context, harmine—one of the alkaloids found in Banisteriopsis caapi, the main component of the traditional Amazonian brew—has drawn the attention of modern biomedical research.
But what does science actually say? Is there any basis for considering harmine as an antitumor agent? Or is it just another promise inflated by psychedelic enthusiasm? This article seeks to respond based on evidence, not on hope.
What is harmine?
Harmine is a β-carboline alkaloid with the ability to inhibit enzymes like monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), which partly explains its role as a reversible inhibitor in the context of DMT ingestion. However, its pharmacological profile is broader.
Recent studies have revealed that harmine can interfere with key cellular processes such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and DNA repair. In oncological terms, this makes it an interesting molecule, though still far from being considered therapeutic.
Preclinical evidence: what do the studies show?
A notable study from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil, evaluated harmine’s effects on breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) and in animal models. The results were significant: a 31% reduction in tumor growth, increased survival of treated animals, and a 42% reduction in angiogenesis. The dose used was 20 mg/kg/day administered intraperitoneally.
Another study published in Pharmacognosy Magazine demonstrated that harmine induces apoptosis in melanoma (B16F-10) and hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells, associated with oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest (PMID: 26834491).
Its mechanism of action appears to involve inhibition of DYRK1A kinase—involved in cell proliferation—and a reduction in PARP1, an enzyme essential for DNA repair. Additionally, studies in human leukemia cell lines (HL60) confirm harmine’s ability to reduce cell viability via mitochondrial pathways.
Miracle plant or pharmacological tool?
This is where caution is essential. All the studies mentioned were conducted in vitro or in animal models. There are no clinical trials in humans supporting harmine’s use as a cancer treatment. Furthermore, some studies warn of its genotoxic potential at certain doses, posing serious risks if its use is extrapolated without control.
Like any bioactive compound, harmine is neither inherently “good” nor “bad”—its usefulness depends on the context, dose, administration route, interaction with other compounds, and especially, the type of cancer in question. Any claim that “ayahuasca cures cancer” is not only irresponsible, but dangerous.
Could it play an adjunctive role?
Possibly. Research is moving toward developing synthetic β-carboline derivatives with more selective properties and lower toxicity. Some experimental groups are evaluating harmine as a chemo-sensitizer, potentially helping tumor cells respond better to conventional treatment.
There’s also discussion around its effects on the PI3K/Akt pathway, a key player in drug resistance, and its potential as an epigenetic modulator. However, all of this remains experimental.
The risk of spiritual appropriation
Many “neo-shamanic” and self-help narratives circulating on social media suggest that because harmine is part of “ancestral medicine,” it has innate wisdom to cure cancer. These types of claims, beyond being pseudoscientific, are ethically questionable.
At Casa Hoaska, we position ourselves within a critical spirituality, where sacred experience should never replace the rigor of medical science. We support processes of deep transformation, but we never promise cures, nor do we replace conventional medical treatment.
Conclusion: what we know and what we don’t
Harmine presents an interesting pharmacological profile, with multiple mechanisms of action that could be useful in oncology. However, based on current evidence, it cannot be considered a cure or even an alternative treatment. It can, however, inspire further research and the development of new therapies based on natural compounds.
Ultimately, what’s at stake is not only the life of those battling cancer, but also the credibility of those who work with sacred plants. And that credibility can only be maintained by speaking the truth, even when it’s inconvenient.
Originally published by Gustavo Bergoglio at Iguazu Ayahuasca.
Key References:
- Souza, E.M. et al. (2023). Antitumor evaluation of harmine in murine breast cancer models. UFSC, Brazil. UFSC Repository
- Chao et al. (2015). “Harmina induces apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway in human hepatoma cells.” Pharmacognosy Magazine. PMID: 26834491
Arnaiz et al. (2022). “Beta-carbolines in cancer research: from ethnobotany to experimental therapeutics.” Frontiers in Pharmacology