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Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report

Flávia de Lima Osório, Rafael Faria Sanches, Ligia Ribeiro Horta de Macedo, Rafael G. Dos Santos, João Paulo Maia‐de‐oliveira, Lauro Wichert‐ana, Dráulio Barros de Araújo, Jordi Riba, José Alexandre S. Crippa, Jaime E. C. Hallak

Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry March 1, 2015 DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2014-1496 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Population Patients with a depressive disorder
Intervention Ayahuasca
Topics Anxiety Ayahuasca Depression
Keywords Hypomania Antidepressant Mood Depression economics Rating scale Bipolar disorder Clinical psychology Psychosis
Citations 486
Key findings Ayahuasca has fast-acting anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in patients with a depressive disorder.

Abstract

These results suggest that AYA has fast-acting anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in patients with a depressive disorder.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 3 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on ayahuasca for depression, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Changes in mental health, wellbeing and personality following ayahuasca consumption: Results of a naturalistic longitudinal study. Ayahuasca-naive individuals attending facilitated ayahuasca ceremonies 2022 Longitudinal observational study n = 53
Long-Term Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Associated with Naturalistic Ayahuasca Consumption. Adults with no prior exposure to ayahuasca participating in neo-shamanic ayahuasca... 2025 Prospective cohort study n = 66
The therapeutic potential of ayahuasca in depression, generalized anxiety, and substance use disorders: modulation of the depressive burden in a longitudinal study. Adults with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, or substance use disorders treated... 2026 Longitudinal observational study n = 280
"Vine of the Soul": The Potential of Ayahuasca for Reducing Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Ceremony Participants and the Role of Rumination Participants in a North American ayahuasca ceremony 2024 Observational cohort n = 30

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