Study finds evidence the shamanic brew, known as ayahuasca, can improve depression symptoms in just a few hours

Apr 7, 2015 07:18 GMT  ·  By

A team of researchers in Brazil have reasons to believe that a South-American shamanic brew that's been used in religious rituals for centuries could address depression symptoms just as effectively - if not more effectively - than whatever drugs are now prescribed to treat this condition. 

In a recent report, the scientists, led by University of São Paulo specialist Jaime Hallak, detail the outcome of a series of experiments during which they administered a mild dose of the shamanic brew in question, dubbed ayahuasca, to a total of six depression patients.

The scientists say that the study subjects all experienced an improvement in their depression symptoms in just a few hours after having been introduced to the psychedelic shamanic brew. They further detail that this improvement was still noticeable three weeks following the experiments.

This study counts as proof of concept

Researcher Jaime Hallak and colleagues explain that the six volunteers who were offered a mild dose of ayahuasca as part of this research project were all suffering from mild to severe depression and had failed to respond to at least one of the drugs commonly used to treat this condition.

Having ingested the shamanic brew, the volunteers were seated in a quiet room in almost complete darkness. Using standard questionnaires, the specialists assessed their depression symptoms and documented a significant improvement in their condition, Nature informs.

As mentioned, this improvement was still obvious three weeks following the study participants' contact with the shamanic brew. This is all the more impressive seeing how, by comparison, most depression drugs take weeks to have a noticeable effect, says Jaime Hallak.

Since this investigation carried out by the University of São Paulo scientist and his team involved just six volunteers, its outcome cannot be considered bulletproof evidence that ayahuasca can treat depression. Still, there are many who say that the study counts as proof of concept.

“It is a proof of concept of what so many ritual ayahuasca users already know: ayahuasca can help one feel extra well, not just during the experience, but for up to days or weeks after,” explains psychiatrist Brian Anderson at the University of California, San Francisco in the US.

Ayahuasca users see the world differently

Back in August 2012, a study published in the science journal PLOS ONE revealed that ayahuasca influences both cognitive functions and behavioral patterns, and makes people see the world differently.

“Clinical studies have shown that ayahuasca induces a modified state of awareness that includes dream-like imagery with eyes closed, increased insight and intense emotions,” reads the 2012 study.

Thus, this other investigation found that people who consume this shamanic brew tend to perform better in neuropsychological tests, be more spiritual and show better psychosocial adaptation.

Ayahuasca, considered a sacramental drink in South America, is made by brewing together bark taken from a jungle vine dubbed Banisteriopsis caapi and leaves from a shrub known as Psychotria viridis.

Once consumed, the brew induces powerful hallucinations. It's important to note that, unlike ecstasy, cocaine and the like, ayahuasca is not a recreational drug. On the contrary, it's only used in religious rituals.

How ayahuasca is made
How ayahuasca is made

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Shamanic brew could treat depression
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