Symptom Specificity of Ayahuasca's Effect on Depressive Symptoms

This study explores the symptom specificity of ayahuasca, as identifying specific symptom targets for its use could allow patients to make informed decisions about treatment choices. This component of ayahuasca has so far received little empirical attention.

To do this, the researchers compared self-reported pre & post changes for each symptom after ayahuasca use.

They found that ayahuasca had more of an impact on affective symptoms (ex. hopelessness and happiness) than on somatic and cognitive symptoms (ex. sleep or focus disturbances). This differs from standard serotonergic medication which "often do little for positive affect" (Nutt et al., 2007).

However, this still leaves a gap for a treatment that both enhances energy and positive affect. This gap might be bridged by medications that activate the norepinephrine and dopamine systems, such as MDMA or ketamine.

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ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Ayahuasca's effects on symptoms of depression have generated considerable optimism. Clients frequently report more concern about some symptoms than others, and available treatments alter symptoms differentially. Few studies address the symptom specificity of this psychoactive brew.

AIMS

We examined self-reported effects of ayahuasca on the individual symptoms of depression assessed by the 10-item short-form of Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression (CESD-10).

METHOD

We asked over 120 participants to complete a retrospective assessment of CESD-10 symptoms one month before and one month after using ayahuasca.

RESULTS

Participants indicated that ayahuasca had a larger influence on affective symptoms like hope, depressed mood, and happiness, than cognitive, interpersonal, and somatic symptoms like restless sleep, loneliness, and difficulty focusing.

CONCLUSION

Potential clients might appreciate identifying if different treatments provide more relief for some depressive symptoms than others. We examined retrospective reports of ayahuasca's potential for differential impact. Those eager to alter hope, happiness, and other affective symptoms will likely find ayahuasca more helpful than those who want an intervention for restless sleep, loneliness, or trouble focusing. This symptom specificity parallels the effects of serotonergic antidepressant medications, suggesting that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy using ayahuasca might have considerable appeal for those who seek comparable relief but would rather not use prescription serotonergic medications. Jumpstarting psychotherapy with the rapid onset of ayahuasca-induced relief also appears to have potential.