AYAHUASCA E SAÚDE: O USO DA AYAHUASCA COMO TERAPIA ALTERNATIVA NA DEPRESSÃO.

Depression affects about 350 million people worldwide, with Brazil having the second highest rate in the Americas at 5.8% of the population. Antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are the standard treatment, but many patients are turning to unconventional options like Ayahuasca tea. Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew made from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves, induces altered consciousness for up to 10 hours. This literature review examines Ayahuasca's therapeutic potential, pharmacological action, history, adverse effects, and contraindications, emphasizing that its use requires caution.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Depression is a common disorder around the world, according to the WHO (World Health Organization) about 350 million people worldwide suffer from the disease, a number that is growing every day. Brazil is the second country in the Americas with the highest number of depressive people, where about 5.8% of the population has been diagnosed with the pathology. Depression is a chronic and recurrent psychiatric illness, a complex problem whose main characteristics are lack of motivation, difficulty in performing common daily tasks, sadness, and pessimism. It is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors. When diagnosed, it is treated with antidepressant drugs, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are considered the first choice. Currently, many patients are seeking an unconventional treatment, such as the use of Ayahuasca tea. Ayahuasca is a tea with hallucinogenic potential capable of causing changes in consciousness for a period of up to 10 hours, prepared from the decoction of Banisteriopsis caapi vine with Psychotria viridis leaves. The present study aims, through a brief literature review, to better understand the therapeutic use of Ayahuasca, its pharmacological action, the history of tea, adverse effects and contraindications. It should be noted that the use of Ayahuasca needs to be done with caution.