Ayahuasca Users in Estonia: Ceremonial Practices, Subjective Long-Term Effects, Mental Health, and Quality of Life.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2020
Source: PubMed
Summary
Ayahuasca users in Estonia reported significant improvements in mental health and quality of life compared to nonusers. In a study involving 30 ayahuasca users and 30 matched nonusers, participants indicated lower levels of depression and anxiety. Most users cited spiritual development and self-knowledge as primary motivations for participating in neoshamanic ceremonies. While some experienced challenges, the overall outcomes were positive, with no signs of addiction or abuse. This suggests that ayahuasca may serve as a beneficial spiritual practice with favorable mental health effects.
Abstract
The study aims to describe ayahuasca users in Estonia and compare their mental health and quality of life to those of nonusers. Ceremonial practices, motivation for ayahuasca use, use-related experiences, and subjective consequences of use are described. We conducted a cross-sectional case-controlled study of thirty ayahuasca users and thirty nonusers matched by gender, age, and education. The participants completed questionnaires, standardized psychometric tests, and neuropsychiatric interviews. Ayahuasca use in Estonia occurred mainly in (neo)shamanic group ceremonies. The main motives for ayahuasca use were spiritual development, self-knowledge, and spiritual experiences. The users reported mostly positive subjective consequences of ayahuasca use for their health and life. However, some difficult experiences and adverse effects were reported. No abuse of ayahuasca or addiction to it was found. Screening test indicators of depression and anxiety were lower in the ayahuasca-using group. No deterioration of the mental health of ayahuasca users in comparison to nonusers was found. The participants perceive their use of ayahuasca as a spiritual practice with mostly favorable outcomes for their health and life. They also perceive ayahuasca use in Estonia as a reasonably safe and self-limiting form of spiritual practice.