Long-term effects of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a 5-year qualitative follow-up



Título del documento: Long-term effects of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a 5-year qualitative follow-up
Revista: Archives of clinical psychiatry
Base de datos: PERIÓDICA
Número de sistema: 000419340
Autores: 1
1
1
1
Instituciones: 1Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo. Brasil
Año:
Periodo: Ene-Feb
Volumen: 45
Número: 1
Paginación: 22-24
País: Brasil
Idioma: Inglés
Tipo de documento: Artículo
Enfoque: Analítico, descriptivo
Resumen en inglés 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
Disciplinas: Medicina,
Química
Palabras clave: Psiquiatría,
Fitoquímica,
Farmacología,
Alucinógenos,
Drogas psicodélicas,
Depresión,
Ayahuasca
Keyword: Psychiatry,
Phytochemistry,
Pharmacology,
Hallucinogens,
Psychedelic drugs,
Depression,
Ayahuasca
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