Ayahuasca and Antidepressants – Is it Safe?

Seeking relief from depression by going to an ayahuasca retreat is a common goal. Yet many of us navigating depression have been prescribed antidepressants. However, it is not considered safe to mix ayahuasca and antidepressants.

In this article, we will unpack different ayahuasca contraindications with SSRIs and MAOIs and how long after being on antidepressants to take ayahuasca.

Can You Take Ayahuasca While on Antidepressants?

Drinking ayahuasca while on antidepressants can theoretically create serious medical complications. There are also reports suggesting that certain antidepressants can cause a lessening of psychedelic effects.  

There are no confirmed fatalities from people taking ayahuasca while on antidepressants. But the safest approach is discontinuing the medication.

That being said, stopping antidepressant medication is a decision to take seriously. Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping antidepressants. 

For some conditions, stopping medication can be dangerous and proper support is needed. However, many people have taken ayahuasca safely after stopping their antidepressants.

Can I Take Ayahuasca With SSRI?

The ayahuasca and SSRI interaction is a concern. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or “SSRIs” and ayahuasca both affect the serotonin system in our bodies. 

SSRIs work by changing how our brains use serotonin. They do not create serotonin, and depression is not caused by low serotonin. SSRIs block serotonin from being absorbed into the body and becoming unavailable.

With more serotonin available, some people see improvements in depression, anxiety, and other conditions. The danger is having too much serotonin in one’s system.

When mixed with SSRI, a compound in Ayahuasca called monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOI, could create a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome.

Serotonin Syndrome and Ayahuasca

Serotonin syndrome is too much serotonin activity in the brain. Side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, changes in body temperature, cardiac arrhythmia, and in extreme cases, kidney failure, coma and death.

While the concern is widespread, there are no confirmed cases of serotonin syndrome and ayahuasca. There are some reports of communities in Brazil that have given ayahuasca to people on antidepressants. This occurred in carefully controlled conditions, specifically around the dose of ayahuasca taken.

Can I Take Ayahuasca With MAOI?

MAOIs are prescribed for the treatment of depression. They have been around for some time, and the risks of mixing SSRIs and MAOIs are well-established.

MAOIs work by inhibiting the breakdown of serotonin and dopamine in the body. This is thought to improve depression. Taking too many MAOI can be dangerous, and combining MAOI medication with the MAOI in ayahuasca is also a concern. 

MAOI also interacts with a compound called tyramine found in some foods. Interestingly, traditional ayahuasca diets prescribed by shamans exclude tyramine-rich foods, which could cause spikes in blood pressure.

How Long to Be Off Antidepressants Before Ayahuasca

The paper by James Calloway, which brought up the potential for adverse reactions of SSRIs causing serotonin syndrome, suggested that the antidepressants could have lasting effects for five weeks.

There are many factors to consider before stopping the medication and taking ayahuasca. The amount of time will depend on your medication and a healthcare practitioner. For people who are severely depressed, tapering off antidepressants can be dangerous and should be thoroughly considered. 

Stopping antidepressants can cause side effects or withdrawal. Usually, use is discontinued slowly to lessen side effects. Most drugs will leave people’s systems after a few days. However, the withdrawal symptoms of coming off antidepressants can last for many weeks. 

During a period when antidepressants are being discontinued, the best coping mechanisms, healthy habits like a good diet, exercise, and practices like mindfulness are helpful. These are also great ways to start preparing for an ayahuasca experience.

How Long After Ayahuasca Can I Take Antidepressants?

Ayahuasca does not stay in your system for very long. Within 24 hours, it is no longer detectable in urine. How long to wait before taking antidepressants again will depend on each individual, what their experience was like, what kind of support they have, and their medical practitioner’s approach.

There is no official recommendation of how long to wait before continuing antidepressant treatment after ayahuasca. However, what is studied with psychedelics is the “window of opportunity” after an experience. One of the possible ways that psychedelics help depression is through increased neuroplasticity. 

Neuroplasticity means the brain is building new connections, which may contribute to how people create changes in their lives after psychedelics. This has been connected to the treatment of depression. 

Ayahuasca and Antidepressants – Final Thoughts

Ayahuasca has helped many people with depression. It is not a magic bullet, but it holds a lot of possibilities. 

However, drug interactions can be dangerous. Careful planning with your medical provider and collaboration with a reputable retreat center is necessary for a safe experience. 

Antidepressants should be tapered off slowly with adequate support. Depending on your medication, this could take many weeks.

Share Frshminds Content With Your Network