Long-term effects of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a 5-year qualitative follow-up

Abstract

Background: Ayahuasca is a botanical hallucinogenic preparation traditionally used by indigenous populations of Northwestern Amazonian countries for ritual and therapeutic purposes. It is rich in β-carboline alkaloids and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Preclinical, observational, and experimental studies suggest that ayahuasca and its alkaloids have anxiolytic and antidepressive effects. We recently reported in an open-label trial that ayahuasca administration was associated with significant decreases in depression symptoms for 2-3 weeks after the experimental session in 17 patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Objectives: To investigate if the experiment had any long-lasting effects on patients Methods: Eight patients were interviewed 4 to 7 years after ayahuasca intake. Results: Our results suggest that ayahuasca was well tolerated and that symptom reductions were limited to a few weeks. Importantly, most patients believed that the experience was among the most important of their lives, even 4-7 years later. Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first long-term follow-up of a clinical sample that participated in an ayahuasca trial. Further studies with different and repeated dosing should be designed to further explore the antidepressive and anxiolytic effects of ayahuasca.

Psychedelic Treatments for Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Patient Experiences in Qualitative Studies

“…The recent resurgence of clinical interest in the use of psychedelics for the treatment of mental disorders is evidenced by a sharp increase in studies and publications. After a decadeslong research hiatus, psychedelics have been investigated as potentially effective treatments for several mental disorders, including substance use disorders (SUDs) [1][2][3][4]; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [5][6][7][8][9][10]; anxiety, and depression secondary to a life-threatening illness [11][12][13][14]; social anxiety in autistic adults [15]; obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) [16]; depression [17][18][19][20][21][22]; and suicidal ideation [23]. Psychedelic drugs include a range of…”

Symptom specificity of ayahuasca's effect on depressive symptoms

“…Ayahuasca includes sources of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and natural MAOI inhibitors. Empirical work confirms that even one administration alleviates relevant symptoms at rates comparable to standard treatments, often with a very rapid onset, few side effects, and no withdrawal (dos Santos et al, 2018;Osorio, et al, 2015;Palhano-Fontes et al, 2019a, 2019b. But the specificity of its impact on individual symptoms is understudied.…”

“…Ayahuasca, a psychoactive plant brew traditionally consumed by native communities in the Amazon Basin (Spruce & Wallace, 1908), is a combination of the plants Psychotria viridis, a source of the psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), with Banisteriopsis caapi, which contains reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Carbonaro et al, 2015;McKenna, Towers, & Abbott, 1984;Riba, 2003). Laboratory administrations improve depressive symptoms at rates comparable to standard treatments, and with rapid onset of relief (e.g., dos Santos, Sanches, Os orio, & Hallak, 2018;Osorio, 2015;Palhano-Fontes et al, 2019a, 2019bPalhano-Fontes et al, 2018). A single dose can create clinically meaningful improvements within 24 hours (Palhano-Fontes et al, 2019a, 2019b.…”

A Systematic Literature Review of the Potential Therapeutic Effects of Ayahuasca Tea Prepared From the Use of Banisteriopsis Caapi and Psychotria Viridis

“…In the study by Santos et al (2018) with 17 patients with a history of depression and resistance to conventional treatment, antidepressant effects were evidenced in the use of ayahuasca, in which the symptoms decreased for about 2 to 3 weeks. Osório et al (2015) also showed an anti-depressant effect of the Ayahuasca decoction in clinical studies on six volunteers who had mild symptoms of depression, and observed that after the use of the decoction the depressive symptoms diminished in the first 24 hours and the effect continued for 21 days.…”