Ayahuasca and Public Health III: Health Status of a Sample of Ayahuasca Ceremony Attenders in Portugal.
Pedro J Teixeira, Jorge Encantado, Helena D Amaro, Diogo Veiga, Laura C Carvalho, Miguel Ángel Alcázar-córcoles, Jaime Hallak, Rafael Guimarães Dos Santos, Jose Carlos Bouso, Maja Kohek
Journal of psychoactive drugs March 19, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2631378 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPortuguese adults who participate in ayahuasca ceremonies report good or very good health, with lower rates of chronic disease and obesity compared to the general population. They also report greater physical activity, lower alcohol consumption, and enhanced psychological well-being. Many attribute positive lifestyle changes, reduced substance use, and less reliance on prescription medication to their ayahuasca experiences. These findings align with prior research linking ayahuasca use to health and well-being, though causal pathways remain unclear.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 203 |
| Population | Portuguese adults who have participated in ayahuasca ceremonies |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Drug policy Health behaviors Public health |
| Key finding | Ayahuasca users in Portugal report better health indicators, including lower chronic disease and obesity rates, higher physical activity, and lower alcohol consumption, compared to national norms. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian psychoactive brew, has gained increasing attention for its potential health benefits; however, no previous research has investigated its use in Portugal. This study aims to evaluate the health status, lifestyle behaviors, and psychosocial well-being of Portuguese ayahuasca users, comparing their self-reported health indicators with population norms. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 203 Portuguese adults who have participated in ayahuasca ceremonies. Participants completed validated measures assessing general health status, mental health, coping strategies, and social support. Results were compared to national health survey data. Ayahuasca users perceive their health as good or very good, with lower rates of chronic disease and obesity compared to the general population. Participants also report greater physical activity levels, lower alcohol consumption, and enhanced psychological well-being. A substantial proportion of users attributed positive lifestyle changes, reductions in substance use, and lower reliance on prescription medication to their ayahuasca experiences. Results reinforce previous research linking ayahuasca use to health and well-being, showing that ceremony attenders in Portugal display a range of beneficial lifestyle behaviors and health indicators. Future research should employ longitudinal designs to better understand the causal pathways linking ayahuasca use to health outcomes and explore potential public health implications.