Health status of ayahuasca users.
Paulo César Ribeiro Barbosa, Suely Mizumoto, Michael P. Bogenschutz, Rick J. Strassman
Drug Testing and Analysis 2012 DOI: 10.1002/dta.1383 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Literature review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Regular ayahuasca users |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Traditional brew Psychedelic Plant medicine Health benefits Well-being Therapeutic effects Positive outcomes Emotional health Cognitive health Physical health Safety Harmlessness Risk assessment Non-toxic Scientific study Literature review Data analysis |
| Citations | 112 |
| Key findings | Ayahuasca use appears safe and possibly beneficial, but methodological bias in existing studies prevents definitive conclusions. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic brew originally used for magico-religious purposes by Amerindian populations of the western Amazon Basin. Throughout the last four decades, the use of ayahuasca spread towards major cities in all regions of Brazil and abroad. This trend has raised concerns that regular use of this N,N-dimethyltryptamine- and harmala-alkaloid-containing tea may lead to mental and physical health problems associated typically with drug abuse. To further elucidate the mental and physical health of ayahuasca users, we conducted a literature search in the international medical PubMed database. Inclusion criteria were evaluation of any related effect of ayahuasca use that occurred after the resolution of acute effects of the brew. Fifteen publications were related to emotional, cognitive, and physical health of ayahuasca users. The accumulated data suggest that ayahuasca use is safe and may even be, under certain conditions, beneficial. However, methodological bias of the reviewed studies might have contributed to the preponderance of beneficial effects and to the few adverse effects reported. The data up to now do not appear to allow for definitive conclusions to be drawn on the effects of ayahuasca use on mental and physical health, but some studies point in the direction of beneficial effects. Additional studies are suggested to provide further clarification.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ayahuasca, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 92
- Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry March 1, 2015
- Ayahuasca-Assisted Therapy for Addiction: Results from a Preliminary Observational Study in Canada Current Drug Abuse Reviews June 1, 2013
- 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 Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology March 18, 2016
- Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use Journal of Psychopharmacology May 14, 2019
- Classical psychedelics for the treatment of depression and anxiety: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders November 1, 2019
and 87 more in the library
Cites 35
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- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
- Dose-Response Study of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in Humans Archives of General Psychiatry February 1, 1994
and 30 more in the library