Test trial suggests hallucinogenic concoction ayahuasca provides relief from depression

[Judi Lynn]

April 19, 2017 by Bob Yirka


(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers from several institutions in Spain and Brazil has conducted test trials of a South American concoction known as ayahuasca to learn more about its impact on people suffering from depression. In their paper uploaded to bioRxiv the team describes the trials they conducted and what they found.

Two years ago, the same team conducted some initial tests to find out if ayahuasca reduced symptoms of depression—they reported back then that the results were promising. Seeking to expand on their work, the researchers undertook another test trial, this time enlisting the assistance of 39 volunteers, 14 of whom actually consumed the concoction, while the other 15 were given a placebo.

Ayahuasca has been known in South America for centuries, it is a beverage made by brewing two types of vines, Psychotria viridis, which contains a hallucinogenic compound, and Banisteriopsis caapi, which prevents the mind-altering compound from being broken down before it has time to pass from the gut to the brain. The result is a brew that by all accounts tastes quite nasty, and in some cases causes people to vomit. But it also induces a mind-bending experience. Anecdotal evidence has also suggested that it can improve symptoms for people suffering from depression, which led to the first and now second trial.

Each of the volunteers suffered from chronic depression, and each was asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their mood the day before being given a single dose of ayahuasca (or an equally nasty-tasting concoction created as a placebo). On the day of dosing, each was given a small amount of ayahuasca or the placebo, and were kept in a safe room for four hours, which was how long it takes for the effects to subside. Each of the volunteers were then asked to again fill out the same questionnaire a day later, then two days later, and then a week after the trial.

Read more at: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-04-trial-hallucinogenic-concoction-ayahuasca-relief.html#jCp

Science:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/122851559

[Phoenix61]

1. I read a study where they tested psilocybin mushrooms

to treat depression which reported significant improvement up to 6 months after, which was the length of the study.