Therapeutic effect of an ayahuasca analogue in clinically depressed patients: a longitudinal observational study.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) January 24, 2022 Kim van Oorsouw, S. W. Toennes, J. G. Ramaekers 71 citations
In 20 clinically depressed patients, a single ayahuasca ceremony was followed by reduced depressive symptoms that persisted for up to one year. Average Beck's Depression Inventory scores dropped from 22.7 before the ceremony to 8.88 at one-year follow-up. Remission rates were 12 out of 20 after one day, 13 out of 19 after one month, and 12 out of 17 after one year. Three participants remained mildly depressed at one month and one year; two did not respond and stayed at moderate or severe levels. Improvements in depression and mental health correlated with the degree of ego dissolution experienced during the ceremony. Additional treatments or psychedelic use may have contributed to long-term gains. Ayahuasca shows therapeutic potential for clinical depression.