Ceremonial Ayahuasca in Amazonian Retreats—Mental Health and Epigenetic Outcomes From a Six-Month Naturalistic Study
Simon Ruffell, Nige Netzband, WaiFung Tsang, Merlin Davies, Antonio Inserra, Matthew Butler, James Rucker, Luís Fernando Tófoli, Emma Louise Dempster, Allan H. Young, Celia J. A. Morgan
Frontiers in Psychiatry June 9, 2021 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.687615 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective naturalistic study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 63 |
| Population | Self-selected participants in ayahuasca ceremonies at a retreat centre in the Peruvian Amazon |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Duration | Pre- and post-retreat and at 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Mental health Beck depression inventory Clinical psychology Context archaeology Ecology |
| Citations | 74 |
| Key points | Participation in ayahuasca ceremonies was associated with statistically significant and sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, and psychological distress, and increased self-compassion. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a natural psychoactive brew, used in traditional ceremonies in the Amazon basin. Recent research has indicated that ayahuasca is pharmacologically safe and its use may be positively associated with improvements in psychiatric symptoms. The mechanistic effects of ayahuasca are yet to be fully established. In this prospective naturalistic study, 63 self-selected participants took part in ayahuasca ceremonies at a retreat centre in the Peruvian Amazon. Participants undertook the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Self-compassion Scale (SCS), Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), as well as secondary measures, pre- and post-retreat and at 6-months. Participants also provided saliva samples for pre/post epigenetic analysis. Overall, a statistically significant decrease in BDI-II (13.9 vs. 6.1, p < 0.001), STAI (44.4 vs. 34.3 p < 0.001) scores, and CORE-OM scores were observed (37.3 vs. 22.3 p < 0.001) at post-retreat, as well as a concurrent increase in SCS (3.1 vs. 3.6, p < 0.001). Psychometric improvements were sustained, and on some measures values further decreased at 6-month follow-up, suggesting a potential for lasting therapeutic effects. Changes in memory valence were linked to the observed psychometric improvements. Epigenetic findings were equivocal, but indicated that further research in candidate genes, such as sigma non-opioid intracellular receptor 1 (SIGMAR1), is warranted. This data adds to the literature supporting ayahuasca's possible positive impact on mental health when conducted in a ceremonial context. Further investigation into clinical samples, as well as greater analyses into the mechanistic action of ayahuasca is advised.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Ayahuasca ceremony participation was associated with significant and sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, and psychological distress, and increased self-compassion, maintained at six months.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on ayahuasca for anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 65
- Therapeutic effect of an ayahuasca analogue in clinically depressed patients: a longitudinal observational study. Psychopharmacology January 24, 2022
- Psychedelic Therapy's Transdiagnostic Effects: A Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Perspective Frontiers in Psychiatry December 17, 2021
- Changes in mental health, wellbeing and personality following ayahuasca consumption: Results of a naturalistic longitudinal study. Frontiers in Pharmacology 2022
- Ayahuasca's therapeutic potential: What we know - and what not. European Neuropsychopharmacology 2023
- Modulation of DNA methylation and protein expression in the prefrontal cortex by repeated administration of D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): Impact on neurotropic, neurotrophic, and neuroplasticity signaling Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry June 28, 2022
and 60 more in the library
Cites 50
- 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
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
- The Hallucinogen N,N -Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Is an Endogenous Sigma-1 Receptor Regulator Science February 13, 2009
- Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry March 1, 2015
and 45 more in the library