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Home/Research/Ayahuasca/Bipolar Disorder

Ayahuasca for Bipolar Disorder

5 papers and 0 clinical trials exploring ayahuasca as a treatment for bipolar disorder.

Compoundclassic psychedelic

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a botanical decoction combining DMT with MAO-inhibiting harmala alkaloids, producing intense psychedelic effects lasting 3-6 hours. Clinical trials show rapid, large antidepressant effects from a single dose, with a favourable safety profile in controlled settings.

Full Ayahuasca profile
Indication45 million worldwide

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, characterised by extreme fluctuations in mood, is a complex mental health condition that affects approximately 45 million people worldwide. Current research on psychedelics as a potential treatment is limited due to concerns about inducing manic episodes, but emerging evidence, particularly regarding ketamine, suggests promise for alleviating depressive symptoms associated with the disorder.

Full Bipolar Disorder profile

Academic Research

5 papers
Open Accessindividual

Ayahuasca in the treatment of bipolar disorder with psychotic features-A retrospective case study

This retrospective case study describes a woman with bipolar disorder and psychotic features whose suicidality, dissociation and social isolation markedly improved and were sustained after multiple ayahuasca ceremonies, with corroboration of childhood abuse and ongoing symptom reduction over several years. The report suggests potential therapeutic benefits of ayahuasca for severe traumatisation and bipolar symptoms and situates the case within a brief review of low‑dose ayahuasca and LSD treatment literature.

Published
March 10, 2023
Journal
Psyarxiv
Authors
Turkia, M.
Open Accessmeta

Ayahuasca dimethyltryptamine, and psychosis: a systematic review of human studies

This systematic review of case reports found that psychotic episodes following ayahuasca or DMT use are rare but have been documented in both ritual and recreational/non‑controlled settings. Most reported cases involved a personal or family history of psychosis, bipolar/manic disorders or concomitant substance use, supporting psychiatric screening before administration and avoidance of hallucinogens in those with such histories.

Published
February 23, 2017
Journal
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology
Authors
Dos Santos, R. G., Hallak, J. E., Bouso, J. C.
Open Accessindividual

Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression a SPECT study

This open-label study (n=17) found that a single dose of ayahuasca (100-200ml) had significant antidepressant effects up to 21 days later (MADRS-scale and others).

Published
February 1, 2016
Journal
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Authors
Sanches, R. F., Osório, F. L., Dos Santos, R. G., Macedo, L., Maia-de-Oliveira, J. P., Wichert-Ana, L., Araújo, D. B., Riba, J., Crippa, J. A., Hallak, J. E.
Open Accessindividual

Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report

This open-label study (n=6) found that a single dose of ayahuasca has fast-acting anxiolytic and antidepressant effects (up to 21 days later, MADRS) in patients with a current depressive episode.

Published
March 1, 2015
Journal
brazilian Journal of Psychiatry
Authors
Osório, F. L., Sanches, R. F., Macedo, L., Dos Santos, R. G., Maia-de-Oliveira, J. P., Wichert-Ana, L., de Araujo, D. B., Riba, J., Crippa, J. A., Hallak, J. E.
Open Accessindividual

Switch to mania after ayahuasca consumption in a man with bipolar disorder: a case report

This case report describes the clinical profile of a man from Argentina with a family history of bipolar disorder who participated in a four-day Ayahuasca ceremony that led to the eruption of a hypomanic episode two days after, consisting of mystical and paranoid delusional ideas, auditory hallucinations, racing thoughts, disorganized behavior, elevated energy, and manic euphoria. Given that the remission of psychotic symptoms was immediately followed by an onset of depressive symptoms, the authors theorize that antidepressant effects of harmine may have occasioned the manic shift of his bipolar disorder.

Published
February 24, 2015
Journal
International Journal of Bipolar Disorders
Authors
Szmulewicz, A. G., Valerio, M. P., Smith, J. M.

Clinical Trials

0 trials

No clinical trials have been tagged with both Ayahuasca and Bipolar Disorder yet.

Trials are continuously being added as new studies are registered.

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Search all Ayahuasca papers Search all Bipolar Disorder trials Full Ayahuasca profile Full Bipolar Disorder profile