Long-term effects of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a 5-year qualitative follow-up
Rafael G. Dos Santos, Rafael Faria Sanches, Flávia de Lima Osório, Jaime E. C. Hallak
Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo) February 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1590/0101-60830000000149 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Long-term follow-up of an open-label trial Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8 |
| Population | Patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder who had participated in an ayahuasca trial |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Duration | 4 to 7 years follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Ayahuasca Depression |
| Keywords | Depression economics Hallucinogen Anxiolytic Observational study |
| Citations | 37 |
| Key findings | Ayahuasca was well tolerated, symptom reductions were limited to a few weeks, but most patients rated the experience among the most important of their lives 4 to 7 years later. |
Abstract
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.