The prevalence of mental illnesses, especially depression, has skyrocketed in our country in recent years and has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and related lockdowns. We are battling a pandemic of mental illness, and we don’t have vaccines to fight it. There are no consistent cures or remedies for depression, but the next best thing is here, and that is psychedelics. One of the most under-researched psychedelics is Ayahuasca, a liquid made from plants native to Latin America that contains high levels of DMT, its powerful psychedelic ingredient. Ayahuasca, along with other psychedelics like psilocybin and ketamine, has shown significant potential in improving mental health outcomes in a number of studies.

Unfortunately, DMT and other psychedelic substances are currently labeled as Schedule I drugs by the United States government. As a result, psychedelics are criminalized and research in the country is lacking. A recent clinical trial done in the Netherlands has shown the miraculous effects that ayahuasca can have on clinically depressed patients. The study found that after 1 day, 90% of participants had lessened their depression. After 1 month and 1 year, remission rates were 68% and 71% respectively. In addition, decreases in anxiety and stress were shown up to a year after ayahuasca ingestion, as was increased mindfulness and quality of life.

Ayahuasca and its potential benefits need to be studied more and in order for this to happen the United States Congress needs to repeal or amend the Controlled Substances Act as soon as possible. Based on what has been shown in the Dutch trials, as well as in others from around the world, we urge members of Congress to take action and do what is right to help those struggling with mental health issues by legalizing ayahuasca for medicinal purposes and expediting psychedelic research.