The Therapeutic Benefits of Ayahuasca: What the Research Shows

Please note. This article summarizes published research for educational purposes only. Ayahuasca is not a medicine in the Western clinical sense, and nothing here is a promise of cure or a substitute for professional medical advice. Please read our health & safety guidelines before considering a retreat.

Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, has drawn growing attention for its potential to support mental well-being. Research such as the study by Uthaug et al. (2018) suggested that a single ceremony may improve self-reported well-being in healthy individuals, both shortly after and four weeks later. Here is an honest look at what one careful replication study found.

What the study looked at

The study involved 73 participants who attended ayahuasca ceremonies in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. They were assessed before the ceremony, the day after, and four weeks later. It replicated some earlier results — a reduction in self-reported stress and an increase in life satisfaction and awareness the day after — while not finding a reduction in depression. New findings included reduced anxiety and somatization, and increased “non-judging”, four weeks on. Effects did not differ between first-time and experienced participants.

How ayahuasca works

Ayahuasca combines the Psychotria viridis leaf, which contains DMT, with the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, whose MAO inhibitors allow the DMT to become active. The acute effects — perceptual, emotional, and cognitive — typically last four to six hours. While it can cause nausea and vomiting, it is generally considered non-addictive. You can read more about what ayahuasca is.

Why the experience itself seems to matter

Researchers measured outcomes with scales including the DASS-21, the Brief Symptom Inventory, a mindfulness questionnaire, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Notably, higher levels of “ego dissolution” and “oceanic boundlessness” were associated with lower post-ceremony depression ratings — while anxious ego dissolution was associated with higher anxiety afterward. In other words, the quality of the experience appears to shape its effects.

This is exactly why the ceremonial setting and the guidance of an experienced curandero matter so much. A supportive, well-prepared environment is not a nicety — it is central to a safe and meaningful experience, and to the integration that follows.

The honest limitations

The study had no control group and could be influenced by expectation. Future placebo-controlled trials are needed, especially in people with diagnosed conditions. The responsible conclusion is measured: the research is promising, the experience can be meaningful, and none of it replaces proper screening, preparation, and care — which is why every guest completes an intake with us first.