Long-Term Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Associated with Naturalistic Ayahuasca Consumption.

Abstract

The durability of ayahuasca's effects on mental health and the influence of clinical diagnoses on therapeutic response is unclear. Adults with no prior exposure to ayahuasca (n = 66) participating in neo-shamanic ayahuasca ceremonies completed questionnaires at baseline, 7 days, and 1, 6, and 12 months. Mixed models were used to characterize temporal trajectories in mental health, alcohol and cannabis use, affect, personality, spirituality, and relationships and examine the longevity of effects in individuals with and without a depressive or anxiety disorder. After multiple comparison correction, ayahuasca use was associated with decreases in depression, anxiety, stress, negative affect, negative emotionality, acceptance of external influence, and self-alienation at all time points. Improvements in mental health, self-efficacy, and spirituality were observed up to 12 months post-ceremony. Individuals with depression and anxiety diagnoses maintained significant symptom reductions, whereas those without a diagnosis experienced short-term benefits. Decreases in alcohol and cannabis use were only observed at month 1. Naturalistic ayahuasca use was associated with persisting improvements in mental health and wellbeing, with the largest magnitude of symptom reduction observed in those diagnosed with a depressive or anxiety disorder. Differing trajectories of change were identified across psychological constructs, suggestive of both enhancement and attenuation of gains over time.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 2 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

• State of the evidence: Ayahuasca for addiction ↕Mixed

  Ayahuasca use was associated with persisting mental health improvements up to 12 months, but decreases in alcohol and cannabis use were observed only at month 1.

  Synthesized October 22, 2026

• State of the evidence: Ayahuasca for depression ↑Supports

  Ayahuasca use was associated with persisting improvements in mental health and wellbeing up to 12 months, with the largest symptom reductions in individuals diagnosed with depressive or anxiety disorders.

  Synthesized October 22, 2026

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.