Ayahuasca for PTSD

4 papers and 1 clinical trial exploring ayahuasca as a treatment for ptsd.

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.

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Indication354 million people suffering from PTSD globally.

PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant mental health challenge affecting over 354 million individuals globally. Psychedelics, particularly MDMA and psilocybin, are emerging as promising therapeutic options, offering new avenues for treatment through innovative psychotherapeutic interventions.

Full PTSD profile

Academic Research

4 papers

Open Accessindividual

Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Psychedelics Administered to Military Veterans in Naturalistic Retreat Settings

Veterans attending naturalistic psilocybin or ayahuasca retreats showed significant improvements across eight mental‑health and reintegration measures, with the largest reductions in depression (PHQ‑9, 29.1%) and PTSD (PCL‑5, 26.1%). Psilocybin retreats produced greater gains on most outcomes while ayahuasca yielded slightly larger PTSD improvement; those with worse baseline symptoms benefited most, with some gender-specific differences.

Published: July 7, 2025
Journal: Brain and Behavior
Authors: Adams, M., Blest-Hopley, G., Busch, C., Calnan, M., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Kettner, H., Piper, T., Roseman, L., Ruffell, S. G. D.

Open Accessindividual

Ayahuasca in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Mixed-methods case series evaluation in military combat veterans

This mixed-methods case series study (n=8) investigated the impact of a 3-day ayahuasca intervention on military veterans with PTSD. Results indicate that 87.5% of participants demonstrated clinically significant improvements in PTSD symptoms post-treatment, with 70% maintaining these changes at a 3-month follow-up. Veterans also reported significant improvements in momentary PTSD symptoms and daily life affect, citing deep positive emotions, decentering/acceptance, and purpose in life as perceived benefits.

Published: December 1, 2024
Journal: Psychological Trauma
Authors: Beller, N., Campbell, W. K., Dinh-Williams, L., Raugh, I. M., Strauss, G. P., Weiss, B.

Open Accessindividual

Prevalence and therapeutic impact of adverse life event reexperiencing under ceremonial ayahuasca

Among 339 ayahuasca retreat participants, reexperiencing of adverse life events during ceremonies was common—particularly sexual assault among women, combat trauma among veterans and in those with lifetime PTSD—and was linked to cognitive reappraisal, psychological flexibility and acute discomfort. Those who reexperienced adverse events showed larger reductions in trait neuroticism at follow-up, suggesting such reexperiencing may contribute to the therapeutic effects of ceremonial ayahuasca.

Published: June 9, 2023
Journal: Scientific Reports
Authors: Campbell, W. K., Erritzoe, D., Weiss, B., Wingert, A.

Open Accessmeta

Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review

This systematic review shows that classical psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca) consistently cause acute disruption of resting-state connectivity within the Default Mode Network and increase cross-network functional connectivity, but it remains unclear how central DMN modulation is to their therapeutic effects. The article synthesises existing evidence and highlights gaps to guide future mechanistic research.

Published: October 22, 2022
Journal: International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
Authors: Castle, D., Downey, L., Galvão-Coelho, N. L., Gattuso, J. J., Hoyer, D., Jacobson, L. H., Lawrence, A. J., Nutt, D. J., Pagni, B. A., Perkins, D., Rossell, S. L., Ruffell, S. G. D., Sarris, J., Timmermann, C.

Clinical Trials

1 trial

Unknown statusPhase I

Open-Label Dose-Ranging Study of Oral SM-001 in Healthy Adults

Open-label, Phase I dose-ranging safety study (n=12) in healthy adults testing single oral doses of SM-001 (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mL/kg) to assess safety and plasma biomarkers.

Started: October 1, 2023
Type: interventional
Blinding: none
Randomized: No
Registry ID: NCT05894902

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Ayahuasca for PTSD

Ayahuasca

PTSD

Academic Research

Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Psychedelics Administered to Military Veterans in Naturalistic Retreat Settings

Ayahuasca in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Mixed-methods case series evaluation in military combat veterans

Prevalence and therapeutic impact of adverse life event reexperiencing under ceremonial ayahuasca

Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review

Clinical Trials

Open-Label Dose-Ranging Study of Oral SM-001 in Healthy Adults

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