Rankings / Mood, Anxiety & Stress
Ayahuasca / DMT
Mood, Anxiety & Stress · Classic psychedelic / 5-HT2A + MAOI combo
Tier C-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Ayahuasca / DMT as C- (4.4/10) based on weak-moderate evidence, med-high benefit magnitude, and a med-high-risk safety profile.
Palhano-Fontes 2019 TRD RCT showed single dose ayahuasca beat placebo at 7 days.
Typical use: Ayahuasca: traditional decoction in ceremonial context; DMT: 15-40 mg vaporized, 0. — DMT Schedule I US; ayahuasca religious exemption (UDV, Santo Daime) in US.
What this is
Palhano-Fontes 2019 TRD RCT showed single dose ayahuasca beat placebo at 7 days. DMT injection trials (Small Pharma/Cybin) for depression ongoing. MAOI component creates tyramine/serotonin-syndrome risk with many foods/drugs. 'Extended-state DMT' IV infusion protocol is a research frontier.
Mechanism
DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is 5-HT2A agonist; orally inactive without MAOI; ayahuasca pairs DMT-containing Psychotria with harmala MAOI-containing Banisteriopsis; short-acting when vaporized/injected
Dose & route
Ayahuasca: traditional decoction in ceremonial context; DMT: 15-40 mg vaporized, 0.2-0.4 mg/kg IV in research
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30847002/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35581920/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7819525/
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Common questions
- Does Ayahuasca / DMT work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Ayahuasca / DMT as Weak-Moderate and the benefit magnitude as med-high, producing an overall grade of C- (4.4/10). Palhano-Fontes 2019 TRD RCT showed single dose ayahuasca beat placebo at 7 days.
- Is Ayahuasca / DMT safe?
- Ayahuasca / DMT has a med-high risk profile in published human data. Legal status: DMT Schedule I US; ayahuasca religious exemption (UDV, Santo Daime) in US. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Ayahuasca / DMT?
- Ayahuasca: traditional decoction in ceremonial context; DMT: 15-40 mg vaporized, 0.2-0.4 mg/kg IV in research
- How does Ayahuasca / DMT work?
- DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is 5-HT2A agonist; orally inactive without MAOI; ayahuasca pairs DMT-containing Psychotria with harmala MAOI-containing Banisteriopsis; short-acting when vaporized/injected
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.