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Ayahuasca and Fibromyalgia: Promising Mechanisms, Missing Evidence: A Mini-review

Jozélio Freire de Carvalho

Journal for Transdisciplinary Approach in Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2026 DOI: 10.4103/jtacam.jtacam_30_25 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Systematic review Qualitative Case report Peer reviewed
Topics Ayahuasca
Key findings No clinical trials, case series, or observational studies directly assessing ayahuasca in fibromyalgia were identified, so no clinical evidence supports ayahuasca as a treatment for the condition. The authors argue that preclinical analgesic and anti-inflammatory findings and anecdotal reports justify scientific interest but that clinical translation should proceed cautiously through ethically designed early-phase trials with rigorous safety monitoring and culturally sensitive frameworks.

Abstract

Abstract Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms. Despite current therapeutic strategies, many patients continue to experience the poor outcomes. Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew containing N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and β-carboline alkaloids, has shown antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties in preclinical research, raising interest in its potential for FM. To systematically assess the available evidence on ayahuasca in FM and identify the existing research gaps. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS, CNKI, Russian databases, and gray literature sources (Oasisbr, Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations [BDTD], and institutional repositories). Search terms combined “fibromyalgia” with “ayahuasca,” “DMT,” and “β-carboline.” No language or year restrictions was applied. The final search was conducted on October 2025. No clinical trials, case series, or observational studies directly assessing ayahuasca in FM were identified. Available data are limited to preclinical studies showing analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as anecdotal and qualitative reports of reduced pain and improved coping in the ritual contexts. There is currently no clinical evidence supporting ayahuasca as a treatment for FM. While mechanistic and preclinical findings justify scientific interest, any clinical translation should proceed cautiously through ethically designed early-phase trials with rigorous safety monitoring and culturally sensitive frameworks.

Comparable studies

Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ayahuasca, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive effects of ayahuasca, psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): a systematic review of clinical trials published in the last 25 years Patients from included clinical trials 2016 Systematic review
Risk assessment of ritual use of oral dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmala alkaloids Humans (ritual ayahuasca use) 2006 Systematic review
Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review Participants from included studies 2022 Systematic review
Ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine, and psychosis: a systematic review of human studies 2017 Systematic review
Psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Participants in studies of psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms (Major... 2023 Systematic review with meta-analysis n = 14

Citations in the library

Cites 5

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