Risk assessment of ayahuasca use in a religious context: self-reported risk factors and adverse effects
Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry – October 30, 2020
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Approximately 10% of participants experienced significant adverse effects from ayahuasca rituals, highlighting the need for caution. Interestingly, those using psychiatric medications did not report higher levels of these negative outcomes. Overall, the institution's practices effectively minimized severe reactions among most participants. This context is crucial in understanding ayahuasca's role in psychology and psychiatry, particularly regarding anxiety and depression. Future investigations could delve deeper into the experiences of those who reported persistent adverse effects, contributing to the broader field of psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
A minority of participants reported being very negatively affected by persistent adverse effects. Psychiatric medication use while participating in ayahuasca rituals was not associated with increased adverse effects. For the most part, the institution's practices seem sufficient to prevent exacerbated reactions. Future studies may focus on negatively affected users.