Ayahuasca and Public Health III: Health Status of a Sample of Ayahuasca Ceremony Attenders in Portugal.
Pedro J. Teixeira, Jorge Encantado, Helena D Amaro, Diogo Veiga, Laura C. Carvalho, Miguel Ángel Alcázar‐córcoles, Jaime E. C. Hallak, Rafael Guimarães Dos Santos, José Carlos Bouso, Maja Kohek
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 19, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2631378 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 203 |
| Population | Portuguese adults who have participated in ayahuasca ceremonies |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Drug policy Health behaviors Public health |
| Key findings | Ayahuasca users in Portugal report better health indicators, including lower chronic disease and obesity rates, higher physical activity, and lower alcohol consumption, compared to national norms. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian psychoactive brew, has gained increasing attention for its potential health benefits; however, no previous research has investigated its use in Portugal. This study aims to evaluate the health status, lifestyle behaviors, and psychosocial well-being of Portuguese ayahuasca users, comparing their self-reported health indicators with population norms. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 203 Portuguese adults who have participated in ayahuasca ceremonies. Participants completed validated measures assessing general health status, mental health, coping strategies, and social support. Results were compared to national health survey data. Ayahuasca users perceive their health as good or very good, with lower rates of chronic disease and obesity compared to the general population. Participants also report greater physical activity levels, lower alcohol consumption, and enhanced psychological well-being. A substantial proportion of users attributed positive lifestyle changes, reductions in substance use, and lower reliance on prescription medication to their ayahuasca experiences. Results reinforce previous research linking ayahuasca use to health and well-being, showing that ceremony attenders in Portugal display a range of beneficial lifestyle behaviors and health indicators. Future research should employ longitudinal designs to better understand the causal pathways linking ayahuasca use to health outcomes and explore potential public health implications.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey of subjective "God encounter experiences": Comparisons among naturally occurring experiences and those occasioned by the classic psychedelics psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, or DMT Adults reporting a single most memorable God encounter experience, either nondrug or... | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 4,285 |
| Adverse effects of ayahuasca: Results from the Global Ayahuasca Survey. Ayahuasca users from more than 50 countries who completed an online survey | 2022 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 10,836 |
| Ayahuasca in adolescence: a preliminary psychiatric assessment. Adolescents from a Brazilian ayahuasca sect and matched controls | 2005 | Controlled cross-sectional study | n = 80 |
| Psychological and neuropsychological assessment of regular hoasca users. Regular hoasca users from a U.S. branch of União do Vegetal and matched non-user controls | 2016 | Cross-sectional study | n = 57 |
| Indoleamine Hallucinogens in Cluster Headache: Results of the Clusterbusters Medication Use Survey People with cluster headache | 2015 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 496 |
Citations in the library
Cites 29
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
- Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder JAMA Psychiatry August 24, 2022
- Set and setting, psychedelics and the placebo response: An extra-pharmacological perspective on psychopharmacology Journal of Psychopharmacology November 16, 2016
- Antidepressant Effects of a Single Dose of Ayahuasca in Patients With Recurrent Depression Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology December 11, 2015
- Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use Journal of Psychopharmacology May 14, 2019
and 24 more in the library