Ayahuasca and the Mental Health Journey: Potential, Caution, and Deep Integration
- Keith Engel
- Jun 5
- 7 min read
This blog has been on my mind since a meaningful conversation with a close friend who shared the deeply personal contours of their mental health journey—the victories, the pain points, what helped, and what they’re still navigating. It was one of those moments that reminded me of the sacred complexity of healing: it’s never linear, never identical from one person to the next. Every individual’s path is shaped by unique experiences, personal histories, environments, and the conscious or unconscious choices they make along the way.
What surprised me most during our conversation was their mention of ayahuasca. I had encountered references to this plant-based medicine in professional literature and clinical research, but this was the first time I’d heard such a thoughtful, firsthand account from someone I knew. My friend didn’t describe it as a cure-all. Instead, they shared how it became a catalyst for grief work, emotional release, and deeper insight into themselves. That conversation stayed with me. It led me to explore not just the scientific literature, but also the cultural roots and ethical questions surrounding ayahuasca. I found myself thinking more deeply about how this type of experience intersects with the holistic approach we take at OSO Wellness.
Let me be absolutely clear: OSO Wellness does not offer or facilitate ayahuasca ceremonies or psychedelic-assisted treatment. However, we recognize that many people are exploring these paths independently, and we are here to support the preparation and integration process. We offer a safe, ethical, and supportive space to process experiences before and after psychedelic journeys—helping individuals anchor insights, explore emotional responses, and translate them into lasting transformation.
What Is Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew that has been used for centuries by Indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin as part of spiritual, religious, and healing ceremonies. It is made by combining two plants: the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of Psychotria viridis, which contains DMT—a powerful hallucinogenic compound. On its own, DMT is rapidly broken down in the body, but the MAOIs present in Banisteriopsis caapi allow the DMT to be orally active, creating a prolonged psychoactive experience.
According to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the resulting brew can induce intense visual, emotional, and introspective states. Many who engage in ayahuasca ceremonies report experiencing vivid visions, emotional purging, or a heightened sense of spiritual connection. While some describe the experience as awakening or life-changing, others find it disorienting or deeply challenging.
That’s why the setting, intention, and aftercare matter. Without the right container—be it cultural, spiritual, or therapeutic—what’s meant to heal can become destabilizing. The brew itself does not discriminate; it amplifies whatever needs to surface. This is why preparation and integration are essential parts of any responsible psychedelic exploration.
What the Research (and Real People) Are Saying
A Glimpse of Light for Depression
A growing body of research is exploring ayahuasca’s potential role in treating mental health conditions that have proven resistant to conventional therapies. One of the most cited studies, published in Psychological Medicine in 2015, found that even a single session of ayahuasca produced rapid and sustained improvements in people suffering from treatment-resistant depression (Palhano-Fontes et al., 2015). Participants reported decreased depressive symptoms that lasted up to 21 days—results that challenge the slow response timelines typically seen with antidepressant medications.
This line of research is still in its early stages, but it’s compelling. It invites us to reimagine what healing might look like when we broaden our clinical lens. While ayahuasca should never replace therapy or medical treatment, these findings suggest that—under the right conditions—it may play a complementary role in alleviating emotional suffering for some individuals.
Opening the Door to Trauma Healing
Trauma resides not just in memory, but in the body. Many people who have participated in ayahuasca ceremonies report accessing emotional material that has been long buried or suppressed. This often includes unresolved grief, childhood trauma, or painful relational patterns. Preliminary research has shown that ayahuasca may help individuals struggling with PTSD, addiction, or existential distress by allowing them to revisit and reprocess these experiences in a more integrated way (Labate & Cavnar, 2014; Thomas et al., 2013).
However, the experience can be intense. Emotional catharsis isn’t the same as emotional resolution, which is why integration is so important. In my clinical and supervision work, I’ve seen that the people who benefit most are those who combine these experiences with ongoing therapeutic support. It’s the integration that helps transform insight into actionable change.
Personal Stories Echo the Science
Over the years, I’ve heard powerful accounts—some from colleagues, some from clients—of how ayahuasca helped them make contact with forgotten parts of themselves. For some, it was the first time they could name their grief. For others, it unlocked compassion for parts of themselves they had long rejected. These experiences are never identical, but they often echo a core truth: when approached with care and clarity, plant medicine can serve as a mirror and a guide.
That said, these stories are deeply personal and should not be generalized. Not everyone emerges feeling transformed. Some people find themselves emotionally unmoored or confused. That’s why the journey doesn’t end with the ceremony—it begins there. And that’s where we come in.
Finding Purpose in Recovery
In countries such as Brazil, Peru, and Canada, ayahuasca has been integrated into certain addiction recovery programs. These programs typically combine Indigenous ceremonial frameworks with Western therapeutic models to create a holistic healing environment. Participants often describe the experience as a spiritual reset—one that fosters renewed commitment to sobriety, community, and self-worth.
Importantly, these programs emphasize that the medicine is only one piece of the puzzle. The true work happens in the follow-up—in therapy, in group support, and in daily choices. This reflects our own philosophy at OSO Wellness: healing is a process, not a moment.
This Isn’t a Shortcut—It’s a Mirror
What makes ayahuasca so compelling is exactly what makes it so challenging: it reflects you back to yourself. This isn’t a passive experience. It’s a confrontation—with your grief, your joy, your memories, your fears. Some people experience that as liberating. Others experience it as overwhelming.
That’s why we emphasize integration. A profound experience is only as helpful as your ability to process and apply it. Without guidance, people may struggle to make meaning of what they’ve seen or felt. Therapy provides a space to revisit those moments, unpack their significance, and find a path forward.
Integration isn’t a one-time session—it’s a process. It might include journaling, spiritual practice, community support, or focused clinical work. The goal is to help individuals ground their experience and align their insights with sustainable growth. That’s where real healing begins.
Should You Try It?
Only you can answer that. But here are some important questions to consider before making that decision:
What are you hoping to heal or understand?
Have you explored other therapeutic options first?
Do you have emotional support in place before, during, and after the experience?
Are you aware of any physical or mental health conditions that could increase risk?
Are you taking medications that could interact dangerously with ayahuasca?
Are you working with someone who is trained, ethical, and trauma-informed?
These aren’t just checkboxes—they’re safeguards. Psychedelic experiences can be destabilizing without proper preparation and support. Having a trusted therapist, medical provider, or integration specialist is a critical piece of that puzzle.
We’re Not a Ceremony Space—But We Are a Safe Place
At OSO Wellness, we don’t offer plant medicine journeys. That’s not our role. But we do offer what many people need most—space to reflect, process, and move forward.
Whether you’re in the early stages of curiosity, actively preparing for a ceremony, or working to make sense of a recent experience, we’re here. Our focus is to help you translate insight into clarity, and clarity into growth.
Because healing doesn’t end with the ceremony. That’s where it begins.
Proceed With Caution: Key Risks
Mental Health History
People with a history of psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder may face increased risks. Psychedelics can exacerbate underlying symptoms or trigger destabilizing episodes.
Medication Interactions
Ayahuasca can dangerously interact with psychiatric medications, particularly SSRIs, MAOIs, and tricyclic antidepressants. These combinations can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.
Emotional Overwhelm
For some, the experience may trigger repressed memories or intense emotional flooding. Without support, this can lead to retraumatization or emotional disorientation.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
In the U.S., ayahuasca exists in a legal gray zone. Many ceremonies are unregulated, with no oversight to ensure facilitator qualifications or participant safety. Cultural appropriation and ethical misuse are also major concerns.
Integration: Where the Real Work Begins
Integration is the bridge between insight and action. It’s what allows individuals to carry the emotional, psychological, or spiritual messages of a psychedelic experience into their everyday lives. At OSO Wellness, we see integration not as an optional follow-up, but as a vital part of the healing journey.
Integration may include:
Unpacking symbolic imagery or strong emotional reactions
Identifying behavioral changes that align with new insight
Reconnecting with relationships or parts of the self that surfaced during the experience
Developing daily practices that support sustained growth
Our role is to hold space for this process—to help you sort what’s meaningful, soothe what’s raw, and build a foundation for what’s next.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re curious and want a balanced, thoughtful perspective, I highly recommend Dr. Mayim Bialik’s episode on The Bialik Breakdown, where she unpacks the scientific, personal, and cultural layers of ayahuasca:
Please note that this podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and do not replace individualized medical or mental health advice.
Final Thoughts
At OSO Wellness, we believe that mental health care should support the whole person—your biology, your story, your values, and your vision for the future. Whether you're curious about non-traditional healing paths or seeking support after a powerful experience, we're here to walk with you.
We don’t offer ayahuasca—but we do offer something just as important: space, safety, and support.
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