Ayahuasca and the traveller: A scoping review of risks and possible benefits
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease November 1, 2021 Sherilyn K. D. Houle, Derek Evans, Caitlin Carter et al. 19 citations
A review of 39 studies on recreational ayahuasca use found mixed evidence of benefits and clear risks. Ayahuasca, a drink containing DMT and beta-carbolines, is linked to psychiatric events like hallucinations, agitation, and aggression, as well as physical harms including vomiting, seizures, and rhabdomyolysis. Five fatalities have been reported. Open-label studies showed favorable effects on depression lasting up to 21 days, and some improvements in mindfulness, self-acceptance, and wellbeing. However, impacts on cognitive function and creativity were mixed and generally short-lived. The evidence for benefits in depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders remains mixed, with multiple case reports indicating potential for harm and drug interactions.