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Cited by 74Psychedelics and Drug StudiesReligion, Spirituality, and PsychologyTreatment of Major Depression

Therapeutic effect of an ayahuasca analogue in clinically depressed patients: a longitudinal observational study

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van Oorsouw, Kim, Toennes, S. W., Ramaekers, J. G.·2022·Psychopharmacology
DOI 10.1007/s00213-021-06046-9PMC PMC8785027
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Abstract

RATIONALE: Studies have suggested mental health improvements following the use of the psychotropic plant concoction ayahuasca in non-clinical and clinical samples. OBJECTIVES: The present observational study assessed depressive symptomatology in 20 clinically depressed patients (symptom score > 13 on the Beck's Depression Inventory) before attendance of an ayahuasca ceremony and 1 month and 1 year after. Secondary measures included ratings of altered states of consciousness and ego dissolution during the ayahuasca ceremony as well as global measures of mindfulness, satisfaction with life, depression, anxiety, and stress. RESULTS: Twenty participants completed baseline and 1-day follow-up, 19 completed measures at 1-month follow-up, and 17 completed measures at 1-year follow-up. BDI scores reduced from baseline (M = 22.7) to all post-ceremony measures (Ms 11.45, 12.89, and 8.88, for 1-day, 1-month, and 1-year follow-up, respectively). After 1 day, 12/20 participants were in remission (BDI < 13). Remission rates after 1 month and 1 year were 13/19 and 12/17, respectively. Three participants remained mildly depressed (BDI 14-19) at the 1-month and 1-year follow-up. Two participants did not respond and remained at a moderate/severe level of depression at 1-year follow-up. Reductions on the secondary mental health measures and increases in mindfulness and satisfaction with life were found up to 1 year post-ceremony. Improvements in clinical depression and mental health correlated with levels of experienced ego dissolution and oceanic boundlessness during the ceremony up to 1 month after the ceremony. Engagement in additional mental health treatments or use of another psychedelic during study participation may have contributed to improved mental health ratings at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Ayahuasca produces long-term mental health improvements in clinically depressed patients, which highlights its therapeutic potential.

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  • Converging evidence from preclinical and human studies suggests oral formulations of DMT such as ayahuasca show potential in reducing anxiety, depressive symptoms, addictive behaviors, and posttraumatic distress.

    “Indeed, converging evidence from preclinical and human studies suggest that oral formulations of DMT such as ayahuasca show potential in reducing anxiety, depressive symptoms, addictive behaviors, and posttraumatic distress (1–3, 30–35).”

    From Potential therapeutic effects of an ayahuasca-inspired N,N-DMT and harmine formulation: a controlled trial in healthy subjects (2024) · cites this paper as [34]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) reports reduced anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder after ayahuasca intake, and the Discussion says this study suggests potential relief of depression and anxiety. Our copy does not report reduced posttraumatic distress, so it does not support that part of the attributed claim. It cites a review of animal and human studies, but does not itself describe converging preclinical findings across all four outcomes. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Beck AT Steer RA Brown GK Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition (BDI-II) 1996 San Antonio Psychological Corporation
  2. Derogatis LR (2001) Brief symptoms inventory 18: administration, scoring, and procedures manual. In Derogatis, L. R. (2017). Symptom checklist-90-revised, brief symptom inventory, and BSI-18. In M. E. Maruish (Ed.), Handbook of psychological assessment in primary care settings (pp. 599–629). Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. Minneapolis, MN: NCS Pearson
  3. McKenna DJ Grob CJC CS, The scientific investigation of ayahuasca: a review of past and current research Heffter Rev Psychedel Res 1998 1 65 77

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Authors
van Oorsouw, K., Toennes, S. W., & Ramaekers, J. G.
Affiliations
  • Goethe University Frankfurt (DE)
  • Maastricht University (NL)
ORCID
Venue
Psychopharmacology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2022-01-24
Volume
239
Issue
6
Pages
1839-1852
ISSN
  • 0033-3158 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-2072
DOI
10.1007/s00213-021-06046-9
PMC
PMC8785027
OpenAlex
W4207069915
Cited by
74
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 9
FWCI
15.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Publication Server of Goethe University Frankfurt am Main (Goethe University Frankfurt) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
ayahuasca, major depressive disorder, depression remission, psychedelic therapy, altered states of consciousness, ego dissolution, mindfulness, life satisfaction, anxiety, stress, long-term mental health outcomes
MeSH terms
Anxiety, Hallucinogens, Humans, Psychotropic Drugs, Banisteriopsis, Mindfulness

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