Ayahuasca: What It Is, Benefits, & Side Effects

What Is Ayahuasca?

Ayahuasca translates to “vine of the soul” or “vine of the dead.” The brew consists of two plants: the bark of the Banisteriopsis cappi vine and the leaves of the Psychotria viridis bush.² The bush contains the hallucinogen colloquially known as DMT. Ayahuasca has been used for centuries by indigenous shamans for various healing, mystical, and religious purposes.  It is also used in Brazilian churches to cultivate spiritual connection.

Ayahuasca has become increasingly more mainstream in Europe and North America, with people engaging in ayahuasca tourism to the Amazon. It is also now used beyond spiritual purposes, with people seeking it for mental health in the form of psychedelic therapy and recreational benefits. People use ayahuasca intending to improve their emotional well-being, expand their self-awareness, and increase creativity.²

Ayahuasca Vs. Other Psychedelics

Ayahuasca is a psychedelic like LSD and psilocybin. However, ayahuasca contains its own unique chemical makeup that consists of different plant substances mixed together into a brew. Psilocybin, for instance, only comes from one source, and LSD comes from a fungus that contains rye. While each drug has similar psychedelic properties, users may note the effects feel different.

How Does Ayahuasca Work?

DMT is the primary psychoactive ingredient in ayahuasca. Ayahuasca is boiled into a liquid tea, and drinking this brew will alter one’s senses. People typically experience distortions in reality, and they will experience changes in their thoughts, emotions, and moods. Some people report having profound epiphanies about themselves. These effects can last 4-6 hours.

How Is Ayahuasca Used?

Ayahuasca dates back to ancient times when Amazonian aboriginal inhabitants used it to induce magical experiences, healing rituals, and communication with spirits. It has since been used for numerous types of healing and religious experiences. Ceremonies tend to be small and private, consisting of just the shaman and individual and maybe one or two other people.²

Ayahuasca spread to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru during the past several hundred years, and it has been integrated into folk medicine. Ayahuasca tourism refers to nonindigenous travelers taking all-inclusive trips to the Amazon to participate in shaman-led ayahuasca ceremonies. Tourists generally take these trips seeking personal growth, spiritual experiences, or a sense of transformation.³

Potential Benefits Of Ayahuasca

Although ayahuasca has been used indigenously for centuries, researchers are still examining its potential benefits. It’s important to note that it’s challenging to accurately detect its health benefits—this is because both the brews and plant ingredients vary in their psychoactive intensity. However, some overarching benefits include decreased anxiety, improved self-esteem, and trauma resolution.

May Strengthen Brain Health

Mouse models demonstrate that ayahuasca stimulates novel brain cell growth. Ayahuasca may cause changes in the brain associated with memories, emotions, and consciousness. This effect might magnify introspection and support greater problem-solving.⁴ This flexible, fluid response may be what contributes to people feeling more creative when under the influence of ayahuasca.

May Increase Psychological Well-Being

Ayahuasca is often associated with ego dissolution, which refers to the loss of subjective self-identity. Some studies show that there is a relationship between using ayahuasca and feeling increasingly more mindful and accepting of current life circumstances. People who have taken ayahuasca sometimes indicate immediate reductions in stress and depression, and research shows these effects can enhance overall well-being even four weeks later.⁵

May Help Treat Mental Health Issues

Ayahuasca may be beneficial for people experiencing mental health conditions, including addiction, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. One study examining depressed patients found that ayahuasca induced clinically significant antidepressant effects compared with placebo.⁶ In addition, limited qualitative research shows that ayahuasca-assisted therapy may be beneficial for people recovering from substance use disorders.⁷

How Does Ayahuasca Affect You?

Ayahuasca primarily impacts people by altering their moods and perceptions. The specific effects vary based on someone’s current mood and their external environment. Common reactions include hallucinations, enhanced introspection, feelings of connectivity, mild euphoria, and intensified emotions. However, it’s also possible to have a bad trip on psychedelics, which may consist of paranoia, anxiety, and frightening hallucinations.

Can You Use Ayahuasca Safely?

There are limited studies examining the safety of ayahuasca. However, research shows that, while people do tend to experience both physical and psychological effects from ayahuasca, the symptoms are typically not severe. Some clinical studies testing different dosages and administrations also demonstrate ayahuasca’s safety. However, these studies are small and among generally healthy, selectively chosen participants.⁸

Ayahuasca Affects Everyone Differently

Each person reacts to psychedelics differently. Someone’s mood (also referred to as the ‘set’) and their external environment (known as the ‘setting’) can impact how ayahuasca affects them. For instance, if someone feels overly anxious before taking ayahuasca, they may continue to feel that anxiety when under the influence. If they’re in a negative or unsafe environment, this negativity may also persist.

The effect of ayahuasca will also depend on numerous variables, including someone’s body weight, history of drug use, general health, and mental health. If they use other drugs, ayahuasca may exacerbate or reduce the effect of those drugs. With that, it’s important to note that it is also challenging to predict the exact strength of ayahuasca.

Some factors to consider when taking ayahuasca include:

• How much you consume
• Whether you have taken ayahuasca in the past
• History of psychedelic use
• The strength of the specific brew
• Where you are taking it
• If you have other drugs in your body
• Your physical health
• Your current emotional state
• Who you are with
• Your intentions for using ayahuasca

Is Ayahuasca Legal?

Ayahuasca is federally illegal, as DMT is a Schedule I substance in the United States. Most state laws also prohibit the use of DMT, although it is decriminalized in parts of California, Michigan, and Washington. However, the court has permitted certain religious groups, including the União do Vegetal (UDV) church and Santo Daime churches, the ability to use ayahuasca for religious purposes.⁹

Can You Overdose On Ayahuasca?

It remains unclear whether it is possible to overdose on ayahuasca. However, there have been some select cases of ayahuasca tourists dying on ayahuasca retreats. The exact causes of these deaths are complex, and it’s important to consider dosing, medical health, and potential interactions with other medications. Ayahuasca is typically well-tolerated, but users should always be aware of potential risks.

When to Seek Professional Help

Ayahuasca is generally not considered addictive, but any problematic drug use may indicate the presence of a substance use disorder. In addition, hallucinogenic drugs like LSD, DMT, and psilocybin, can be habit-forming, especially if they are used in conjunction with other drugs or if they are chronically used to self-medicate other mental health symptoms. If you are struggling with substance use, it may be beneficial to seek professional support. A therapist can help you understand your cravings, triggers, and patterns of use. They will work with you to develop a comprehensive recovery plan. You can get started using an online therapist directory or online therapy platform to find a provider specializing in addiction treatment.