Long-term effects of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a 5-year qualitative follow-up
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000149Palavras-chave:
Hallucinogens, psychedelics, ayahuasca, depression, safetyResumo
Background Ayahuasca is a botanical hallucinogenic preparation traditionally used by indigenous populations of Northwestern Amazonian countries for ritual and therapeutic purposes. It is rich in β-carboline alkaloids and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Preclinical, observational, and experimental studies suggest that ayahuasca and its alkaloids have anxiolytic and antidepressive effects. We recently reported in an open-label trial that ayahuasca administration was associated with significant decreases in depression symptoms for 2-3 weeks after the experimental session in 17 patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Objectives To investigate if the experiment had any long-lasting effects on patients Methods Eight patients were interviewed 4 to 7 years after ayahuasca intake. Results Our results suggest that ayahuasca was well tolerated and that symptom reductions were limited to a few weeks. Importantly, most patients believed that the experience was among the most important of their lives, even 4-7 years later. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first long-term follow-up of a clinical sample that participated in an ayahuasca trial. Further studies with different and repeated dosing should be designed to further explore the antidepressive and anxiolytic effects of ayahuasca.Downloads
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2018-02-01
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Comunicação Breve
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Long-term effects of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a 5-year qualitative follow-up. (2018). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 45(1), 22-24. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000149