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.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
-
Ayahuasca was well tolerated but symptom reductions were limited to a few weeks, although most patients rated the experience among the most important of their lives 4 to 7 years later.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on ayahuasca for depression, most cited first.