Ayahuasca's therapeutic potential: What we know - and what not.
Lucas Oliveira Maia, Dimitri Daldegan-Bueno, Isabel Wießner, Draulio B Araujo, Luís Fernando Tófoli
European Neuropsychopharmacology 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.10.008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative review Cross-sectional Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Topics | Ayahuasca Serotonin |
| Keywords | Neurodegenerative diseases Psychiatric disorders Serious illness Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Psychoactive substances Psychological conditions Behavioral health Neuroscience brain chemistry Neurotransmitters |
| Citations | 46 |
| Key findings | Ayahuasca shows consistent therapeutic evidence for depression and substance use disorders, with emerging preliminary evidence for other psychiatric, neurological, and physical conditions. |
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of the psychedelic brew ayahuasca has been investigated in preclinical and clinical studies. Currently, the most consistent evidence refers to depression. However, various studies suggest that ayahuasca may comprise therapeutic benefits in other health conditions. This narrative review provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of ayahuasca's therapeutic effects in diverse clinical conditions in human (clinical, cross-sectional, observational, and qualitative) and preclinical (animal and in vitro) studies. In addition to summarizing and discussing the most commonly studied conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders (SUD), we also examine less frequently studied psychiatric, neurological, and physical conditions. Moreover, we discuss evidence from epidemiological studies on the impact of regular, long-term ayahuasca use on health and psychosocial outcomes. Overall, evidence for depression and SUD is more consistent, with numerous and diverse studies. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that other conditions equally relevant to public health might be promising targets for ayahuasca's therapeutic effects. This includes preliminary studies indicating potential for grief, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, and severe physical illnesses (e.g., cancer, chronic conditions). Moreover, preliminary evidence in long-term ayahuasca users does not suggest detrimental effects but possible benefits for individual and collective health. In light of the emerging evidence of psychedelic drugs as therapeutic agents, it is essential to further investigate in rigorous designs the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca in conditions other than depression.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ayahuasca, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 44
- Neurobiological research on N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and its potentiation by monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition: from ayahuasca to synthetic combinations of DMT and MAO inhibitors. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences September 10, 2024
- Safety and tolerability of inhaled N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (BMND01 candidate): A phase I clinical trial. European Neuropsychopharmacology March 1, 2024
- Epigenetic Echoes: Bridging Nature, Nurture, and Healing Across Generations. International Journal of Molecular Sciences March 27, 2025
- The Antidepressant Effects of Vaporized N,N-Dimethyltryptamine: An Open-Label Pilot Trial in Treatment-Resistant Depression. Psychedelic Medicine March 1, 2025
- ‘Mind-Revealing’ Psychedelic States: Psychological Processes in Subjective Experiences That Drive Positive Change Psychoactives September 27, 2024
and 39 more in the library
Cites 136
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- The salience network is responsible for switching between the default mode network and the central executive network: Replication from DCM Neuroimage May 24, 2014
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
- Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry March 1, 2015
- Antidepressant Effects of a Single Dose of Ayahuasca in Patients With Recurrent Depression Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology December 11, 2015
and 131 more in the library