A study by researchers from the Imperial College London, UKshows evidence that dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a substance present in ayahuasca tea, has positive effects in the treatment of depression.
Ayahuasca and other psychedelic drugs, such as hallucinogenic mushrooms, have been studied for their potential to treat psychiatric problems. The researchers believe that the compound present in the tea may be an option for patients who do not adapt or do not get results with traditional approaches against depression.
The British survey involved a group of 34 adults diagnosed with moderate or severe depression. Their degree of depression was measured at baseline and at the end of the study using the Montgomery & Asberg Depression Rating Scales (MADRS).
Half of the volunteers received a dose of DMT intravenously for ten minutes and the rest a placebo. DMT induced a 20- to 30-minute psychedelic experience on the same day. All participants went through a therapy session immediately afterwards to improve their understanding of the experience.
Recognizing difficulties and seeking expert help are the best ways to deal with times when stress is high.Getty Images
***photo-woman-cries-sitting-on-bedBut how do you know when to seek help? The quality of mental health is determined by how we deal with feelingsGetty Images
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***photo-elderly-laughsSudden mood swings: mood depends on different situations, however, if inconstancy is persistent it may be a signal from the body that something is not right and a change of habits may be necessaryGetty Images
***pic-brain-puzzleMemory lapses: if the person begins to notice that the memory is failing in everyday life with very simple things, it is likely that he is going through an episode of mental exhaustionGetty Images
***photo-women-want-to-eat-sweet-from-fridgeChange in appetite: in food, the person who eats much more than they should use food as an exhaust valve to relieve anxiety. Others lose their appetite completely.Getty Images
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***photo-woman-in-consultation-with-psychologistIn order to receive a diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment, it is very important to consult a psychiatrist or psychologist. As soon as you notice that you don’t feel as well as you used to, look for a professional to help you find the causes for your discomfort.Getty Images
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Two weeks later, people who had taken the single-dose DMT treatment had, on average, 7.4 points lower on the depression rating scale compared to the placebo group. Scientists considered this reduction significant.
At the end of three months, the average reduction on the MADRS scale was 15.4 points and six out of ten people who received DMT (60%) were diagnosed without depression.
“The results are exciting for the field of psychiatry. We now have the first evidence that DMT, combined with supportive therapy, can be effective for people suffering from depression,” says clinical psychiatrist David Erritzoe, lead author of the study.
Other studies need to be done to prove the benefits of ayahuasca in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses. It is also necessary to analyze possible side effects.
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