Ayahuasca is a South American traditional herbal preparation typically produced by decoction of a mixture of Banisteriopsis caapi stem and Psychotria viridis leaf. Among others, it contains as marker compounds the psychedelic 5-HT2A and sigma-1 agonist N,Ndimethyltryptamine (DMT) from P. viridis plus β-carboline alkaloids with monoamine-oxidase (MAO)-inhibiting properties like harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine from Banisteriopsis caapi. These marker compounds, when administered to humans, produce transitory modifications in emotion, thought content, perception and somatic sensations, while the capacity of the individual to interact with its surroundings is significantly preserved. Studies of medium- and longterm ayahuasca’s use suggest that brain alterations manifested as increased spiritual tendencies, can be produced. Ayahuasca therapeutic potential of “decentering” is considered important in clinical psychology and psychiatry. It can produce psychological changes in patients like selftranscendence, personal development, the search for psychological wellbeing, better environment adaptation and treatment for some neuropsychiatric disorders, as some research is supporting. Ayahuasca is used as antidepressant, in the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence, in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Parkinson Disease, Alzheimer and antisocial behavior. This traditional herbal preparation has been object of a wide series of scientific studies, and the results have been proven on its therapeutic potential. However, the variability inherent to the use of biological material from different sources together with different dosages and forms of preparation means that in most cases it is not possible to compare the results obtained by different teams. In this context there is still a way to go, to allow the profit of the integral therapeutic potential of this herbal medicine. Key-words: Ayahusca, ethnopharmacology, therapeutic potential, herbal medicine, mind enhancer, psychiatric disorders