Ayahuasca as Antidepressant? Psychedelics and Styles of Reasoning in Psychiatry

Conventional psychiatry often views psychedelic-induced altered states as pathological, a perspective that shapes scientific research on ayahuasca's potential to treat depression and anxiety. Analysis of academic literature on ayahuasca's psychological effects reveals that different experimental approaches are influenced to varying degrees by this pathological framing, yet findings still indicate some therapeutic utility of the ayahuasca-induced modified state of consciousness. The article suggests that psychiatry's dominant reasoning about psychedelic states should be reconsidered to better assess their clinical potential.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract There is a growing interest among scientists and the lay public alike in using the S outh A merican psychedelic brew, ayahuasca, to treat psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety. Such a practice is controversial due to a style of reasoning within conventional psychiatry that sees psychedelic‐induced modified states of consciousness as pathological. This article analyzes the academic literature on ayahuasca's psychological effects to determine how this style of reasoning is shaping formal scientific discourse on ayahuasca's therapeutic potential as a treatment for depression and anxiety. Findings from these publications suggest that different kinds of experiments are differentially affected by this style of reasoning but can nonetheless indicate some potential therapeutic utility of the ayahuasca‐induced modified state of consciousness. The article concludes by suggesting ways in which conventional psychiatry's dominant style of reasoning about psychedelic modified states of consciousness could be reconsidered.