Ayahuasca for anxiety

Studies whose primary subject is both Ayahuasca and Anxiety, with an evidence synthesis read across the most-cited and most recent of them.

State of the evidence

Synthesized October 22, 2026

Synthesized from 25 studies in the library · AI-generated, grounded in the abstracts below

Found by searching the library for Ayahuasca, yage, hoasca, banisteriopsis, Anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, then ranked by relevance.

The evidence on ayahuasca for anxiety is promising but preliminary and inconsistent. Several uncontrolled and naturalistic studies report large reductions in anxiety symptoms, and a small pilot trial in cancer patients and one in social anxiety found improvements, but controlled comparisons are mixed: a placebo-controlled retreat study found anxiety dropped equally in both groups, and a double-blind study in long-term religious users found no change in state or trait anxiety. Sample sizes are small, most studies lack controls or blinding, and durability beyond a few weeks to months is uncertain.

Evidence by study

Direction is which way each study's own result points, not our rating of the study.

What the directions mean

Supports:: the study found the intervention worked, or its hypothesis held.
Opposes:: it found the opposite, no benefit or a harm.
No effect:: no significant difference either way.
Mixed:: effects in both directions within the same study.
Unclear:: the abstract does not report a direction.

Study	Design	Sample size	Direction	Finding
Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial 2018	RCT	29	Supports	A single ayahuasca dose produced significantly greater reductions in depression severity than placebo at all time points over seven days, with large between-group effect sizes.
Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report 2015	observational		Supports	Ayahuasca showed fast-acting anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in patients with a depressive disorder.
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 2016	systematic review		Supports	Reviewed trials suggest ayahuasca, psilocybin, and LSD may benefit anxiety and depression associated with life-threatening illness and treatment-resistant depression, but all studies had small samples and half were open-label.
Subjective effects and tolerability of the South American psychoactive beverage Ayahuasca in healthy volunteers 2001	single-blind crossover trial	6	Mixed	Ayahuasca produced dose-dependent psychological effects and was generally well tolerated, though one volunteer had an intensely dysphoric reaction.
Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential 2016	review		Supports	Argues that growing evidence suggests ayahuasca may be useful for anxiety and depression, with proposed mechanisms involving increased mindfulness, self-acceptance, and safe exposure to emotional events.
Effects of ayahuasca on psychometric measures of anxiety, panic-like and hopelessness in Santo Daime members 2007	double-blind placebo-controlled study		Mixed	Under acute ayahuasca effects, participants scored lower on panic and hopelessness scales, but state- and trait-anxiety were not modified.
Antidepressive and anxiolytic effects of ayahuasca: a systematic literature review of animal and human studies 2016	review		Supports	Concludes that ayahuasca and its alkaloids warrant further investigation as potential treatments for anxiety and depression with fewer adverse effects.
Ayahuasca’s ‘afterglow’: improved mindfulness and cognitive flexibility in ayahuasca drinkers 2020	observational		Supports	Ayahuasca enhanced mindfulness and altered cognitive flexibility in the afterglow period, suggested as possible mechanisms for its psychotherapeutic effects.
A placebo-controlled study of the effects of ayahuasca, set and setting on mental health of participants in ayahuasca group retreats 2021	naturalistic observational study	30	No effect	Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress reduced in both ayahuasca and placebo groups over time, independent of treatment, though ayahuasca increased implicit emotional empathy to negative stimuli.
Ayahuasca Improves Self-perception of Speech Performance in Subjects With Social Anxiety Disorder 2021	RCT	17	Supports	Ayahuasca significantly improved self-perception of speech performance compared with placebo, but other anxiety and emotion-recognition measures were not significantly modified.
Persisting Effects of Ayahuasca on Empathy, Creative Thinking, Decentering, Personality, and Well-Being 2021	naturalistic observational study	43	Supports	A single ayahuasca ceremony was associated with increased cognitive empathy, satisfaction with life, and decentering, and decreased neuroticism, lasting up to one week.
Effects of Naturalistic Psychedelic Use on Depression, Anxiety, and Well-Being: Associations With Patterns of Use, Reported Harms, and Transformative Mental States. 2022	cross-sectional survey	2510	Supports	Psychedelic use was associated with significant improvements in depressive and anxious symptoms and well-being, with a ceiling effect, though 13% reported at least one harm from use.
Ceremonial Ayahuasca in Amazonian Retreats—Mental Health and Epigenetic Outcomes From a Six-Month Naturalistic Study 2021	prospective naturalistic study	63	Supports	Ayahuasca ceremony participation was associated with significant and sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, and psychological distress, and increased self-compassion, maintained at six months.
Therapeutic potential of ayahuasca in grief: a prospective, observational study 2020	observational cohort	50	Supports	Ayahuasca ceremony participation was associated with large, sustained reductions in grief severity over 12 months, mediated by decreases in experiential avoidance and increases in decentering.
Ayahuasca use and reported effects on depression and anxiety symptoms: An international cross-sectional study of 11,912 consumers 2021	cross-sectional survey	2011	Supports	Seventy percent of participants with anxiety reported their symptoms were very much improved or completely resolved after ayahuasca, while 4.5% reported worsening.
Acute ayahuasca administration attenuates binge‐like eating and anxiety‐related behaviors in mice subjected to intermittent fasting 2026	preclinical animal study		Supports	A single ayahuasca dose reversed anxiety-like behavior and reduced binge-like eating in mice subjected to intermittent fasting.
Single ayahuasca administration mitigates long-term behavioral and neurochemical effects of early-life stress in rats. 2026	preclinical animal study		Supports	A single ayahuasca dose attenuated anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors and neurochemical changes in rats assessed 15 days later.
Single-Dose Ayahuasca for Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Associated With Cancer Diagnosis 2026	single-blind uncontrolled pilot study	6	Supports	A single ayahuasca dose produced significant reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms lasting up to three weeks, with no serious adverse effects, though the sample was small and uncontrolled.
Effects of an international ceremonial ayahuasca retreat on the diversity and community composition of the human gut microbiome: A preliminary observational single-arm pre-post study 2026	observational single-arm pre-post study	22	Supports	Participation in an ayahuasca retreat was associated with reduced PTSD symptoms and shifts in gut microbiome composition.
Single exposure to Ayahuasca reverses chronic stress effects on sociability, anxiety, cortisol, and BDNF in zebrafish 2026	experimental animal study		Supports	A single ayahuasca exposure restored chronic stress-induced impairments in sociability, anxiety-like behavior, cortisol, and BDNF in zebrafish.
Personality, not cognition, distinguishes chronic ayahuasca and cannabis users from non-users 2026	cross-sectional study	219	No effect	Chronic ayahuasca users showed no current psychopathological symptoms and no neuropsychological impairments, with personality traits best distinguishing users from non-users.
Preliminary effects of ayahuasca on mental and physical health: A systematic review of prospective studies 2026	systematic review	18	Mixed	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.
The therapeutic potential of ayahuasca in depression, generalized anxiety, and substance use disorders: modulation of the depressive burden in a longitudinal study. 2026	longitudinal observational study	280	Supports	Ayahuasca combined with psychotherapeutic support was associated with significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms sustained up to 180 days, though individual responses varied.
Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Psychedelics Administered to Military Veterans in Naturalistic Retreat Settings 2025	observational cohort	58	Supports	Psilocybin or ayahuasca retreats significantly improved veterans' mental health outcomes, with the greatest improvements in depression and PTSD.
Ayahuasca Pretreatment Prevents Sepsis-Induced Anxiety-Like Behavior, Neuroinflammation, and Oxidative Stress, and Increases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. 2025	animal study		Supports	Ayahuasca pretreatment prevented sepsis-induced anxiety-like behavior, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress, and increased BDNF in rats.

Points of agreement

Most naturalistic, observational, and open-label studies report reductions in anxiety symptoms after ayahuasca use.
Several reviews conclude ayahuasca shows promise for anxiety and depression but emphasize that evidence is preliminary.
Proposed mechanisms include increased mindfulness, decentering, self-acceptance, and reduced experiential avoidance.
Animal studies consistently show anxiolytic-like effects of ayahuasca.

Conflicts

A placebo-controlled retreat study found anxiety improved equally in ayahuasca and placebo groups, suggesting non-pharmacological factors.
A double-blind study in long-term Santo Daime members found no change in state or trait anxiety, only lower panic and hopelessness.
The social anxiety trial improved self-perceived speech performance but not other anxiety measures.
Some surveys and reviews report worsening or persisting psychiatric complications in a minority of users.

Gaps

Few placebo-controlled or double-blind trials specifically targeting anxiety.
Very small sample sizes in controlled trials (e.g., 6-30 participants).
Limited data on durability beyond six to twelve months.
Unstandardized doses and preparations across studies.
Little research in clinical anxiety disorder populations beyond social anxiety and cancer-related distress.
Selection bias in survey and naturalistic studies.

Browse these studies in the library

Common questions

What does the research agree on about ayahuasca for anxiety?

Most naturalistic, observational, and open-label studies report reductions in anxiety symptoms after ayahuasca use.
Several reviews conclude ayahuasca shows promise for anxiety and depression but emphasize that evidence is preliminary.
Proposed mechanisms include increased mindfulness, decentering, self-acceptance, and reduced experiential avoidance.
Animal studies consistently show anxiolytic-like effects of ayahuasca.

Where do studies on ayahuasca for anxiety conflict?

A placebo-controlled retreat study found anxiety improved equally in ayahuasca and placebo groups, suggesting non-pharmacological factors.
A double-blind study in long-term Santo Daime members found no change in state or trait anxiety, only lower panic and hopelessness.
The social anxiety trial improved self-perceived speech performance but not other anxiety measures.
Some surveys and reviews report worsening or persisting psychiatric complications in a minority of users.

What is still unknown about ayahuasca for anxiety?

Few placebo-controlled or double-blind trials specifically targeting anxiety.
Very small sample sizes in controlled trials (e.g., 6-30 participants).
Limited data on durability beyond six to twelve months.
Unstandardized doses and preparations across studies.
Little research in clinical anxiety disorder populations beyond social anxiety and cancer-related distress.
Selection bias in survey and naturalistic studies.

How we analyze this

This synthesis reads the 15 most-cited and 10 most recent studies whose primary subject is Ayahuasca for anxiety, up to 25 in all. The most-cited set anchors the established evidence, and the recent set surfaces work that is too new to have gathered citations yet.

A study qualifies only when Ayahuasca for anxiety or a known alias appears in its title or keywords, so broad reviews that mention it only in passing are left out. Each study is read from its abstract, strongest evidence first, and the summary reports the direction of the results along with any conflicts and gaps.

The full method, including what a person does and does not review, is on the methods page.

Ask your own question in the Research Synthesis Tool

73 articles · 13 from the last two years · 8,626 participants across 40 studies reporting sample size

Common study designs

review 11 systematic review 5 observational cohort 5 cross-sectional survey 4 randomized controlled trial 5

Research volume by year

Compare topics →

72 studies whose primary subject is ayahuasca for anxiety since 2007

2026 is partial

Show the numbers

Studies about ayahuasca for anxiety per year, 2007 to 2026, peaking at 11 in 2021
Year	Studies
2007	1
2008	0
2009	0
2010	0
2011	0
2012	1
2013	0
2014	0
2015	2
2016	3
2017	6
2018	4
2019	4
2020	6
2021	11
2022	10
2023	5
2024	8
2025	3
2026	8

Research

Synthesize the evidence →

Acute ayahuasca administration attenuates binge‐like eating and anxiety‐related behaviors in mice subjected to intermittent fasting

Journal of Neuroendocrinology October 1, 2026 Cristian Ferreira Corona, Felipe Alves Alencar Lima, Jessica Sabrina Canedo da Silva Sumensse et al.

Abstract Human binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption accompanied by loss of control and is strongly associated with alterations in reward processing and emotional regulation. Ayahuasca, a psychoactive botanical preparation traditionally used in Amazonian medicine, has been shown to modulate serotonergic signaling and reward‐related behaviors...

DOI: 10.1111/jne.70290

Single ayahuasca administration mitigates long-term behavioral and neurochemical effects of early-life stress in rats.

Journal of Neural Transmission September 19, 2026 Guilherme Lodetti, Henrique Redivo, Amanda Gomes Teixeira et al.

Pharmacotherapy for depression is commonly prescribed, yet fewer than half of patients achieve remission with a single treatment. Many also experience intolerable side effects, highlighting the need for new treatment approaches. Classic psychedelics interact with the serotonin (5-HT) receptor class and are therefore strongly involved in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses such as depression,...

DOI: 10.1007/s00702-026-03287-w Full text Anxiety Depression Serotonin Bdnf +2

Single-Dose Ayahuasca for Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Associated With Cancer Diagnosis

Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology September 18, 2026 Renan Massanobu Maekawa, Lorena T. L. Guerra, Bianca Villanova et al.

Background: Depressive and anxiety symptoms are highly prevalent among patients with cancer and are associated with substantial reductions in quality of life. However, effective therapeutic options remain limited. Ayahuasca, a serotonergic psychedelic traditionally used in Amazonian ritual contexts, has shown rapid antidepressant and anxiolytic effects following a single administration in...

DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000002264

Effects of an international ceremonial ayahuasca retreat on the diversity and community composition of the human gut microbiome: A preliminary observational single-arm pre-post study

Brain Behavior and Immunity Integrative July 1, 2026 Lyanna R. Kessler, Lamya'a Dawud, John D. Sterrett et al.

ABSTRACT Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop following exposure to a traumatic event, often with persistent anxiety and depressive symptoms. Recent research suggests the microbiome-gut-brain axis may play an important role in the etiology and pathophysiology of PTSD. At the same time, retreats incorporating psychedelic-assisted therapies have...

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbii.2026.100182 Anxiety Ayahuasca Microbiome Observational study +12

Single exposure to Ayahuasca reverses chronic stress effects on sociability, anxiety, cortisol, and BDNF in zebrafish

Psychopharmacology April 14, 2026 Guilherme Lodetti, Antonio Inserra, Henrique Redivo et al.

BACKGROUND: Chronic stress is a risk factor for the development of anxiety, depression, and comorbid systemic conditions. Ayahuasca (AYA) has been used for hundreds of years and it elicits antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. However, it remains unknown whether AYA elicits a behavioral and biochemical protective effect in chronic stress. AIM OF THE STUDY: Therefore, we evaluated the...

DOI: 10.1007/s00213-026-07058-z Full text Chronic stress Zebrafish Antidepressant Neurotrophic factors +11

Personality, not cognition, distinguishes chronic ayahuasca and cannabis users from non-users

European Neuropsychopharmacology February 12, 2026 José Carlos Bouso, Óscar Andión, Sabela Fondevila Estévez et al.

The increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and cannabis underscores the need to understand their long-term neuropsychological and personality effects. This cross-sectional study compared regular users of ayahuasca (n = 69), cannabis (n = 56), and non-substance users (n = 94) on a battery of neuropsychological tasks and psychological questionnaires. Participants were...

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2026.112782 Cannabis Ayahuasca Anxiety Clinical psychology +11

Preliminary effects of ayahuasca on mental and physical health: A systematic review of prospective studies

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry February 8, 2026 Michael J. Haupt, Savannah Pointe, Kevin F. Boehnke et al.

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...

DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2026.111634 Ayahuasca Anxiety Mental health Depression economics +8

The therapeutic potential of ayahuasca in depression, generalized anxiety, and substance use disorders: modulation of the depressive burden in a longitudinal study.

Frontiers in Psychiatry 2026 Gláucio Silva Camargos, Geraldo Magela De Faria Júnior, Marcelo Lourenço et al.

This longitudinal observational study evaluated changes in depressive symptoms associated with ritualistic ayahuasca use in patients diagnosed with depressive disorders, as well as depressive burden in individuals with anxiety and substance use disorders. The research was conducted with 280 adults treated at clinics in the northwestern region of the state of São Paulo, under the jurisdiction of...

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1726909 Full text Ayahuasca Mental disorders Psychedelics Psychotherapy +1

Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Psychedelics Administered to Military Veterans in Naturalistic Retreat Settings

Brain and Behavior July 1, 2025 Megan Calnan, Grace Blest‐hopley, Chris Busch et al. 4 citations

Abstract Background : Military veterans are at risk of various mental health conditions, with profound implications for post‐deployment quality of life. Current treatment options encounter high dropout rates and non‐responsiveness, and overlook the importance of community building in veterans’ holistic recovery. Preliminary research suggests psychedelics offer therapeutic benefits for...

DOI: 10.1002/brb3.70660 Ayahuasca Psilocybin Anxiety Mental health +6

Ayahuasca Pretreatment Prevents Sepsis-Induced Anxiety-Like Behavior, Neuroinflammation, and Oxidative Stress, and Increases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor.

Molecular Neurobiology May 1, 2025 Rick Wilhiam de Camargo, Larissa Joaquim, Richard Simon Machado et al. 13 citations

The psychoactive decoction Ayahuasca (AYA) used for therapeutic and religious purposes by indigenous groups and peoples from Amazonian regions produces anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Thus, it may be useful to attenuate the neuroinflammation and related anxiety- and depressive-like symptoms elicited by inflammatory insults such as sepsis. Rats were pretreated for 3 days with...

DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04597-4 Full text Anxiety Antioxidant Clp Ayahuasca-medicine +3