Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo
2 papers in the library · 954 citations · publishing 2015
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.