The Effects of Ayahuasca on Psychological Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review.
Reena Sheth, Esha Parikh, Kunmilayo Olayeye, Kylie Pfeifer, Deepesh Khanna
Cureus March 1, 2024 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55574 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Topics | Ayahuasca Mystical experience PTSD |
| Keywords | Plant medicine Childhood trauma Depression prevention Eating disorders Mood and anxiety Personality changes substance abuse Counseling Treatment Psychedelic medicine ayahuasca Entheogens Ritual ceremonies Shamanic practices |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Ayahuasca proves to be a worthwhile therapeutic tool for multiple mental health disorders, but most evidence comes from self-report surveys and no clear standard for testing efficacy has been achieved. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca is an original Amazonian brew made from the vines and leaves of Psychotroa viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi. Both P. viridis and B. caapi give this brew its unique psychedelic properties which have been revered over centuries. In recent years, ayahuasca has gained attention as a potential therapeutic tool for mental health disorders, including substance abuse and depression. The uniqueness of ayahuasca's therapeutic potential is that it is an amalgamation of its biochemical makeup and the ritual guided by a shaman, along with the interpretation of the participant of their experience. The boom of "ayahuasca tourism" has brought forth testimonies of feeling "cured" of depression, and substance abuse and an improvement in overall well-being. This systematic literature review focuses on summarizing the recently available research on the effectiveness of ayahuasca as a treatment for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also focuses on understanding the effects it has on personality traits that play a significant role in the manifestation of the above-listed mental health conditions effects. Additionally, the review investigates the importance and role the ritual itself plays, often described as the "mystical experience". This systematic literature review aims to explore the current state of knowledge regarding the use of ayahuasca for numerous mental health conditions by analyzing medical research papers published no earlier than September 2017 to no later than May 2023 from Google Scholar and PubMed. A total of 43 articles met the criteria and were used for detailed analysis. This review will synthesize the findings of the studies, examining the potential therapeutic effects of ayahuasca on multiple mental health disorders, the significance of the "mystical experience," and the mechanisms of action underlying its effects. Through the review, ayahuasca proves to be a worthwhile therapeutic tool that if used in the right setting influences mind, body, and spirit. It is important to note that most studies used in this article relied on surveys and self-reporting proving to be a limitation as no clear standard has been achieved to test the efficacy of ayahuasca. The respect for the culture and origin needs to be retained as Western medicine dwells deeper into ayahuasca's benefits.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ayahuasca, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive effects of ayahuasca, psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): a systematic review of clinical trials published in the last 25 years Patients from included clinical trials | 2016 | Systematic review | |
| Risk assessment of ritual use of oral dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmala alkaloids Humans (ritual ayahuasca use) | 2006 | Systematic review | |
| Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review Participants from included studies | 2022 | Systematic review | |
| Ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine, and psychosis: a systematic review of human studies | 2017 | Systematic review | |
| Psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Participants in studies of psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms (Major... | 2023 | Systematic review with meta-analysis | n = 14 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Intercultural pathways to indigenous mental health: the integration of ayahuasca in community care in the Yaqui intercultural medicine clinic in Sonora, Mexico Frontiers in Public Health October 9, 2026
- Enchanted consciousness revisited – Ayahuasca visualizations and Sartre's ideas on hallucination Journal of Psychedelic Studies March 9, 2026
- The therapeutic potential of ayahuasca in depression, generalized anxiety, and substance use disorders: modulation of the depressive burden in a longitudinal study. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2026
- Ayahuasca Retreats: The Role of Awe and Mystical Experiences in Well-Being. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs April 16, 2025
Cites 42
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
- Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG. Scientific Reports November 19, 2019
- Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on affect and cognitive thinking style and their association with ego dissolution Psychopharmacology August 13, 2018
- Modulation of Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor by a Single Dose of Ayahuasca: Observation From a Randomized Controlled Trial Frontiers in Psychology June 4, 2019
- Ayahuasca’s ‘afterglow’: improved mindfulness and cognitive flexibility in ayahuasca drinkers Psychopharmacology January 11, 2020
and 37 more in the library