CAN AYAHUASCA CAUSE PSYCHOSIS?

Yes, though research indicates it is rare. A systematic review of human studies found that psychotic episodes associated with ayahuasca and DMT are uncommon, and most documented cases involved individuals who had a personal or family history of psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, or were using other substances concurrently. Some cases have been reported in individuals with no prior psychiatric history, but these are rarer still. In controlled or ritual settings with proper psychiatric screening beforehand, the incidence drops further. One estimate from a large Brazilian ayahuasca-using religious group calculated the risk of a psychotic episode at roughly 2 per 100,000 use sessions. However, isolated case reports describe enduring psychotic episodes requiring hospitalization, even in previously healthy individuals. Thorough psychiatric screening before participation significantly reduces this risk.