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Ayahuasca psychedelic tested for depression

Nature (2015)Cite this article

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Pilot study with shamanic brew hints at therapeutic potential.

A psychedelic drink used for centuries in healing ceremonies is now attracting the attention of biomedical scientists as a possible treatment for depression. Researchers from Brazil last month published results from the first clinical test of a potential therapeutic benefit for ayahuasca, a South American plant-based brew1. Although the study included just six volunteers and no placebo group, the scientists say that the drink began to reduce depression in patients within hours, and the effect was still present after three weeks. They are now conducting larger studies that they hope will shore up their findings.

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References

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  1. Arran Frood
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Frood, A. Ayahuasca psychedelic tested for depression. Nature (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature.2015.17252

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