O uso de ayahuasca para transtornos mentais: uma revisão integrativa da literatura

Mental disorders are an important public health challenge, and ayahuasca has been investigated for possible associations with mental health and well-being outcomes. This study aimed to synthesize primary research published between 2022 and 2026 on mental health outcomes associated with ayahuasca and its safety in humans. An integrative review was conducted using a PICo research question and searches described for PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and Scopus. Literature reviews and exclusively preclinical studies were excluded from the results synthesis and used, when relevant, only to contextualize the introduction. Table 1 includes 22 primary studies: 15 providing direct evidence on the ayahuasca beverage and 7 providing indirect evidence on an ayahuasca analogue or related compounds. Observational studies identified associations between ayahuasca use and changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms, stress, and well-being; however, uncontrolled designs do not establish causality. Safety surveys documented acute physical effects, particularly nausea and vomiting, and adverse psychological experiences in some participants. Heterogeneity in samples, settings, and instruments limits comparisons and conclusions about clinical efficacy. In conclusion, available findings suggest associations between ayahuasca use and some mental health outcomes, but the evidence does not establish ayahuasca as a standard treatment, and findings should be interpreted cautiously.