Ayahuasca-induced psychosis: A case report.
Harvey Ricardo Cerón Tapia, Mayra Alejandra González Guzmán, Sergio Andrés Córdoba Ortiz
Revista Colombiana de psiquiatria 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcpeng.2022.08.008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | 26-year-old man who consumed ayahuasca |
| Intervention | Antipsychotic treatment |
| Duration | Seven months |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Haloperidol Intoxicación Intoxication Psychosis psicosis Acute psychosis Psychotic disorder Ayahuasca yagé Daime Hallucinogen- |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key findings | A first-time ayahuasca user developed an acute psychotic episode that required hospitalization and responded to antipsychotic treatment. |
Abstract
Psychosis induced by ayahuasca is a rare occurrence. However, due to an increase in the access and distribution of this substance, it is necessary to highlight the cases in which it occurs. We describe the case of a 26-year-old man who was admitted to the psychiatric service after seven months of changes in behaviour, delusions and the subsequent exacerbation of symptoms, after participating in a ritual ceremony during which he consumed an ayahuasca concoction for the first time. Initially, he required hospital treatment to control the acute psychotic episode, but after tolerating and responding well to the antipsychotic treatment, he was discharged with an outpatient follow-up.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on ayahuasca, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A fatal intoxication following the ingestion of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in an ayahuasca preparation. 25-year-old white male | 2005 | Case study | n = 1 |
| The Diaspora of Brazilian Religions | 2013 | Ethnographic case studies | |
| EEG Gamma Coherence and Other Correlates of Subjective Reports During Ayahuasca Experiences Experienced ayahuasca users | 2005 | Exploratory case series | n = 2 |
| Reply to “Ayahuasca turned on my mind’s eye”: A case of acquired versus congenital aphantasia, as evidenced with DMT use? Individual with apparent congenital aphantasia | 2018 | Case study | n = 1 |
| “Ayahuasca turned on my mind’s eye”: Enhanced visual imagery after ayahuasca intake in a man with “blind imagination” (aphantasia) A man self-diagnosed with long-lasting aphantasia | 2018 | Case study | n = 1 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Adverse effects of ayahuasca: Results from the Global Ayahuasca Survey. PLOS global public health 2022
- A Comprehensive Review of the Current Status of the Cellular Neurobiology of Psychedelics Biology October 28, 2023
- Predictors Of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder Symptoms, Delusional Ideation And Magical Thinking Following Naturalistic Psychedelic Use November 15, 2022
- Treatment approaches and efficacy in psychedelic-induced psychosis: A systematic review. Asian Journal of Psychiatry June 26, 2025
- Evaluating the value and risks of psychedelics for psychiatric medicine: a clinical perspective. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics February 1, 2025
and 5 more in the library
Cites 7
- Hallucinogens and dissociative agents naturally growing in the United States. Pharmacology & Therapeutics May 1, 2004
- Ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine, and psychosis: a systematic review of human studies Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology February 23, 2017
- The current state of research on ayahuasca: A systematic review of human studies assessing psychiatric symptoms, neuropsychological functioning, and neuroimaging Journal of Psychopharmacology June 11, 2016
- Identification of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and β‐carbolines in psychotropic ayahuasca beverage Biomedical Chromatography May 27, 2008
- Acute Intoxication following Dimethyltryptamine Ingestion Case Reports in Emergency Medicine 2018
and 2 more in the library