Ayahuasca in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Mixed-methods case series evaluation in military combat veterans.
Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy December 1, 2024 Brandon Weiss, Lê-Anh L Dinh-Williams, Nick Beller et al. 16 citations
A mixed-methods case series of eight military veterans with moderate posttraumatic stress symptoms who participated in a three-day ayahuasca intervention in Central America found that most participants showed reliable or clinically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms after treatment, and most of those improvements were maintained at a three-month follow-up. Veterans also reported improvements in momentary PTSD symptoms and daily negative and positive affect. Perceived benefits included deep positive emotions, acceptance, and a sense of purpose, though adverse acute experiences were also reported. The study provides preliminary support for lasting benefits of a brief ayahuasca intervention on PTSD and mood symptoms in veterans.