Psychological Medicine
June 15, 2018
Fernanda Palhano-Fontes, Dayanna Barreto, Heloisa Onias et al.
827 citations
A single dose of ayahuasca reduced depression severity more than placebo in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Over seven days, depression scores on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale were significantly lower in the ayahuasca group at days 1 and 2, and even more so at day 7. Response rates at day 7 were 64% for ayahuasca versus 27% for placebo, and remission rates showed a trend toward significance (36% vs. 7%). Effect sizes grew from day 1 to day 7, indicating sustained improvement. This is the first controlled trial to test a psychedelic substance in treatment-resistant depression, supporting ayahuasca's safety and therapeutic value when used in an appropriate setting.
Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry
March 1, 2015
Flávia de Lima Osório, Rafael Faria Sanches, Ligia Ribeiro Horta de Macedo et al.
486 citations
A single dose of ayahuasca produces fast-acting reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms in people diagnosed with a depressive disorder.
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
December 11, 2015
Rafael Faria Sanches, Flávia de Lima Osório, Rafael G. Dos Santos et al.
468 citations
A single oral dose of ayahuasca, an Amazonian brew containing dimethyltryptamine and harmine, produced fast-acting and sustained reductions in depression severity among 17 patients with recurrent depression. Scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale decreased significantly from 80 minutes through 21 days after intake. Brain imaging showed increased blood flow in the left nucleus accumbens, right insula, and left subgenual area—regions involved in mood regulation. Vomiting occurred in 47% of participants, but no other adverse effects were reported. The authors suggest ayahuasca may have antidepressant properties but call for replication in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
Frontiers in Psychology
June 4, 2019
Raíssa Nóbrega de Almeida, Ana Cecília de Menezes Galvão, Flávia Santos Da Silva et al.
173 citations
A single dose of ayahuasca increased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in both healthy controls and patients with treatment-resistant depression 48 hours after ingestion, compared with placebo. Baseline BDNF levels did not predict major depression or clinical characteristics, but lower BDNF was linked to hypocortisolemia. Among patients, only those who received ayahuasca showed a negative correlation between BDNF levels and depressive symptoms at 48 hours. The findings suggest a potential link between ayahuasca's antidepressant effects and changes in BDNF, supporting further investigation into psychedelics for depression.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
July 10, 2020
Nicole Leite Galvão‐coelho, Ana Cecília de Menezes Galvão, Raíssa Nóbrega de Almeida et al.
124 citations
In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, people with treatment-resistant depression had higher baseline levels of C-reactive protein than healthy controls, and a negative correlation between C-reactive protein and cortisol was observed. Ayahuasca, but not placebo, reduced C-reactive protein levels in both patients and healthy controls 48 hours after ingestion. Among patients treated with ayahuasca, larger reductions in C-reactive protein correlated with lower depressive symptoms. No significant changes were found for interleukin 6 or brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and these biomarkers did not predict antidepressant response or remission. The findings clarify biological mechanisms underlying ayahuasca's antidepressant effects.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
May 8, 2018
Ana Cecília de Menezes Galvão, Raíssa Nóbrega de Almeida, Erick Allan Dos Santos Silva et al.
102 citations
In treatment-resistant depression, a single dose of ayahuasca normalizes the blunted awakening salivary cortisol response observed in patients, bringing it to levels similar to those in healthy controls. During the dosing session, both patients and healthy volunteers who received ayahuasca showed higher increases in salivary cortisol than those who received placebo. No significant changes in plasma cortisol were detected 48 hours after dosing. These findings suggest that ayahuasca modulates salivary cortisol, a hormone involved in depression's etiology, and support further investigation into its antidepressant potential.
Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry
November 21, 2018
Flávia S. Da Silva, Erick Allan Dos Santos Silva, Geovan Menezes de Sousa et al.
46 citations
In a juvenile marmoset model of depression, a single dose of ayahuasca reversed stress-induced hypocortisolemia within 24 hours, reduced stereotypic scratching in males, increased feeding in males, and restored body weight in both sexes, with behavioral effects lasting up to 14 days. Saline vehicle did not produce these effects. The findings suggest ayahuasca may have rapid and sustained antidepressant properties, supporting further research into psychedelics for early-onset depression.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
January 27, 2017
Fernanda Palhano-Fontes, Dayanna Barreto, Heloisa Onias et al.
22 citations
preprint
A single dose of ayahuasca produced significant antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression compared to placebo. Depression severity, measured by the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), was significantly lower in the ayahuasca group at one, two, and seven days after dosing. Effect sizes increased over time, reaching a Cohen's d of 1.49 at day seven. Response rates were significantly higher in the ayahuasca group at day seven (64% vs. 27%), and remission rates were marginally significant (36% vs. 7%). This controlled trial supports the safety and therapeutic value of ayahuasca in treating depression.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
January 31, 2018
Ana Cecília de Menezes Galvão, Raíssa Nóbrega de Almeida, Erick Allan Dos Santos Silva et al.
5 citations
preprint
In treatment-resistant depression, a single dose of ayahuasca normalizes the blunted awakening salivary cortisol response that is characteristic of the disorder. Patients with major depression showed hypocortisolemia and a diminished cortisol awakening response compared with healthy controls at baseline. During the dosing session, both patients and controls who ingested ayahuasca had a large increase in salivary cortisol relative to placebo groups. Forty-eight hours after ayahuasca, the awakening cortisol response in treated patients became similar to that of controls, an effect not seen with placebo. No changes in plasma cortisol occurred 48 hours after either ayahuasca or placebo. The modulation of salivary cortisol may contribute to ayahuasca's rapid antidepressant effects.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
January 25, 2018
Flávia Santos Da Silva, Erick Allan Dos Santos Silva, Geovan Menezes de Sousa et al.
4 citations
preprint
In a juvenile model of depression using common marmosets, a single dose of ayahuasca reversed depressive-like symptoms within 24 hours, including recovery of cortisol levels, reduced stereotypic scratching in males, increased feeding, and restored body weight in both sexes. The effects lasted 14 days. The study suggests ayahuasca produces faster and more durable antidepressant effects than the tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline, supporting its potential as a treatment for early-age depression.