Overview
Ayahuasca is used for suicide prevention, depression, severe and disabling grief lasting for at least 6 months (prolonged grief disorder, PGD), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using ayahuasca may also be unsafe.
How does it work ?
Uses & Effectiveness ?
Insufficient Evidence for
- Depression. Early research shows that taking ayahuasca once might improve depression symptoms within 80 minutes of treatment. The effect might last for up to 3 weeks.
- Severe and disabling grief lasting for at least 6 months (prolonged grief disorder, PGD). Early research shows that attending a retreat involving multiple uses of ceremonial ayahuasca might help to reduce grief in people with this condition. But it isn't clear if this is due to ayahuasca or to other parts of the retreat.
- Drug and alcohol addiction.
- Suicide prevention.
- Anxiety, panic, and trauma symptoms.
- Impulse control.
- Sleep problems.
- Stress.
- Pain.
- Cancer.
- Other conditions.
Side Effects
Special Precautions and Warnings
Bipolar disorder: Ayahuasca might increase the risk of having a manic episode in people with bipolar disorder. Do not use ayahuasca if you have bipolar disorder.
Interactions ?
We currently have no information for AYAHUASCA overview.
Dosing
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Riba J, Rodríguez-Fornells A, Urbano G, et al. Subjective effects and tolerability of the South American psychoactive beverage Ayahuasca in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001 Feb;154(1):85-95. View abstract.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.
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