Long-term effects of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a 5-year qualitative follow-up
Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo) – February 01, 2018
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional hallucinogenic brew, shows promise in treating depression. In an open-label trial with 17 patients suffering from treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, significant symptom reductions were noted for 2-3 weeks post-treatment. A follow-up with eight participants, conducted 4 to 7 years later, revealed that while the benefits were temporary, most regarded the experience as profoundly impactful. This long-term perspective highlights ayahuasca's potential role in mental health treatment and underscores the need for further exploration of its effects on depression and anxiety.
Abstract
Abstract Background Ayahuasca is a botanical hallucinogenic preparation traditionally used by indigenous populations of Northwestern Amazonian countries for ritual and therapeutic purposes. It is rich in β-carboline alkaloids and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Preclinical, observational, and experimental studies suggest that ayahuasca and its alkaloids have anxiolytic and antidepressive effects. We recently reported in an open-label trial that ayahuasca administration was associated with significant decreases in depression symptoms for 2-3 weeks after the experimental session in 17 patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Objectives To investigate if the experiment had any long-lasting effects on patients Methods Eight patients were interviewed 4 to 7 years after ayahuasca intake. Results Our results suggest that ayahuasca was well tolerated and that symptom reductions were limited to a few weeks. Importantly, most patients believed that the experience was among the most important of their lives, even 4-7 years later. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first long-term follow-up of a clinical sample that participated in an ayahuasca trial. Further studies with different and repeated dosing should be designed to further explore the antidepressive and anxiolytic effects of ayahuasca.