Preliminary effects of ayahuasca on mental and physical health: A systematic review of prospective studies
Michael J. Haupt, Savannah Pointe, Kevin F. Boehnke, Jacob S. Aday
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry February 8, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2026.111634 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 18 |
| Population | Unselected volunteers attending ayahuasca retreat centers |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Topics | Anxiety Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Mental health Depression economics Population Prospective cohort study Hallucinogen Public health Clinical psychology Psychopathology Psycinfo Medline |
| Key findings | Long-term changes were noted in wellbeing, depression, psychiatric symptoms, substance misuse, cognitive flexibility, personality, and prosocial behavior, but some participants experienced persisting psychiatric complications. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic plant brew that has been used in Central and South America for centuries. Recently, there has been an increase in "drug tourism" to places where ayahuasca is legally available as well as increased scientific interest in its potential mental and physical health benefits. Despite a growing body of research over the last decade, no studies to date have systematically synthesized the long-term health effects of ayahuasca. Thus, we conducted a systematic review of prospective ayahuasca studies that reported long-term health outcomes. A total of 18 studies were included in the review, with the majority including unselected volunteers attending ayahuasca retreat centers as participants. Across studies, long-term changes were noted in wellbeing/quality of life, depression and other psychiatric symptoms, substance misuse, cognitive flexibility, personality, and prosocial behavior. Although mental health improvements were noted at the population level, studies also reported subsets of participants with persisting psychiatric complications linked to their ayahuasca use. No prospective studies in our search looked at physical health conditions specifically, although one study found a decrease in physical pain symptoms and another lasting neurometabolic changes in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Many of the studies were limited by small sample sizes, unstandardized dosages, no control groups, and nonrandomized study designs that limit interpretability of ayahuasca's potential therapeutic efficacy. Although preliminary research on the health effects of ayahuasca has been promising, future research addressing these limitations is needed to refine our understanding.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
-
Prospective studies showed long-term improvements in wellbeing, depression, and psychiatric symptoms, but some participants experienced persisting psychiatric complications; most studies were small, uncontrolled, and nonrandomized.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ayahuasca for anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 46
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
and 41 more in the library