Ayahuasca, Esketamine and Body Image Perception

This randomised, double-blind, parallel trial (n=20) will study the effects of a single dose of oral ayahuasca or oral esketamine on body image perception in healthy female volunteers aged 18–65, with the primary outcome assessed using the Body Shape Questionnaire over a 3-week period. The study purpose is basic science investigation of acute effects on body perception. Participants will be randomised to one of two arms—oral ayahuasca (experimental) or oral esketamine (active comparator)—in a double-blind design; enrolment is limited to healthy women without psychiatric or other medical comorbidities. Body Shape Questionnaire scores will be collected from enrolment to the end of treatment at 3 weeks. The trial is sponsored by the University of Sao Paulo and is scheduled to run from December 2025 to July 2026.