Rankings / Mood, Anxiety & Stress
Ayahuasca / DMT
Mood, Anxiety & Stress · Classic psychedelic / 5-HT2A + MAOI combo
Tier C-
High-risk evidence profile
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.
Its high-risk evidence profile reflects a Safety score of 3.5/10; reported benefits and harms can differ by indication, dose, route, duration, and population.
Palhano-Fontes 2019 TRD RCT showed single dose ayahuasca beat placebo at 7 days.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: Ayahuasca: traditional decoction in ceremonial context; DMT: 15-40 mg vaporized, 0. — DMT Schedule I US; ayahuasca religious exemption (UDV, Santo Daime) in US; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
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
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
Ayahuasca: traditional decoction in ceremonial context; DMT: 15-40 mg vaporized, 0.2-0.4 mg/kg IV in research
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about Ayahuasca / DMT's effects?
- 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.
- What safety findings are reported for Ayahuasca / DMT?
- Ayahuasca / DMT has a med-high risk profile in the database. Med-High (MAOI-diet/drug interactions; GI purging; CV; psychiatric risk) Legal status: DMT Schedule I US; ayahuasca religious exemption (UDV, Santo Daime) in US.
- What does the low Safety score for Ayahuasca / DMT represent?
- The Safety score is 3.5/10. It records the substantial harms described for one or more use contexts; the Benefit score, indication, dose, route, duration, population, and legal status remain separate parts of the evidence profile.
- What doses or routes are reported for Ayahuasca / DMT?
- Ayahuasca: traditional decoction in ceremonial context; DMT: 15-40 mg vaporized, 0.2-0.4 mg/kg IV in research This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- 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.