Effects of ayahuasca on psychometric measures of anxiety, panic-like and hopelessness in Santo Daime members
Journal of Ethnopharmacology April 26, 2007 Rafael G. Dos Santos, J. Landeira-Fernández, Rick J. Strassman et al. 206 citations
Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew made from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, is increasingly used in urban centers, yet its emotional effects are not well understood. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in a Santo Daime church, long-term members who had ingested ayahuasca for at least 10 consecutive years completed questionnaires one hour after consumption. Under the acute effects, participants scored lower on measures of panic and hopelessness, while state- and trait-anxiety remained unchanged. The findings suggest ayahuasca may help alleviate hopelessness and panic-like symptoms.