Ayahuasca use and improvements in suicidal behavior: An exploratory qualitative study
Nádia Valéria Moreira Santos, Cristiane Ferreira Silveira, Camila Gutieres Dos Santos Soares Costa, Helena Palavro Basso, Paulo César Ribeiro Barbosa, Paulo Rogério Morais
Psychedelics May 16, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.psyche.2026.100023 via OpenAlex
Summary
The ceremonial use of ayahuasca in neoshamanic contexts appears to positively influence suicidality, as suggested by in-depth qualitative interviews with nine participants from Brazil. Key themes identified include motivations for seeking ayahuasca, strategies for enhancing psychological well-being after ceremonies, and the health benefits associated with the psychedelic experience. These findings indicate that ayahuasca may serve as a promising model for psychedelic-assisted care, especially in communities with limited access to advanced medical treatment.
Study at a glance
| Design | qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 9 |
| Population | participants from North and Southeast regions of Brazil who experienced ayahuasca ceremonies |
| Key finding | The ceremonial use of ayahuasca can have positive effects on suicidality. |
Abstract
Aim This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceived effects of ayahuasca ceremonies on suicidality. Method We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with nine participants from the North and Southeast regions of Brazil. These participants were part of a larger cohort and were selected to explore their perspectives on how ceremonial experiences with ayahuasca in neoshamanic contexts influenced the reduction of suicidal ideation and behavior. Results The interviews yielded three main thematic categories related to the therapeutic process of ceremonial ayahuasca use on suicidality: (1) motivations for seeking ayahuasca; (2) post-ayahuasca strategies for strengthening psychological well-being; and (3) the psychedelic experience and its perceived health benefits. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the ceremonial use of ayahuasca within neoshamanic traditions can have positive effects on suicidality. Furthermore, these practices may represent emerging and promising psychedelic-assisted care models that may be particularly valuable for communities lacking access to advanced medical treatment.