Antidepressant Effects of Ayahuasca: a Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial in Treatment Resistant Depression

This randomized, parallel-group trial evaluated the antidepressant effects of a single oral dose of ayahuasca compared with a passive placebo in patients with treatment-resistant major depression (n=35), with acute and longer-term follow-up.

Outcomes included depressive symptom scales (HAM-D, MADRS), psychiatric and neuropsychological assessments, MRI (structural and functional), polysomnography, and serum biomarkers (BDNF, TNF-α, cortisol, IL-6, IL-10).