A six-month prospective evaluation of personality traits, psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in ayahuasca-naïve subjects.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – September 01, 2009
Source: PubMed
Summary
People new to ayahuasca often experience significant improvements in mental well-being. Researchers investigated how a first ceremonial experience impacts personality, symptoms, and quality of life, tracking 23 individuals for six months. Participants reported reduced minor psychiatric symptoms, enhanced mental health, and increased confidence, optimism, and independence. Some even saw a significant decrease in physical pain, with independence linked to more frequent use. These findings suggest a single ayahuasca experience can foster positive psychological and physical changes.
Abstract
The authors assessed 23 subjects immediately before and six months (27.5 weeks) after their first ayahuasca experience in an urban Brazilian religious setting, either Santo Daime (N = 15) or União do Vegetal (N = 8). Measures included scores on instruments assessing psychiatric symptoms, personality variables and quality of life. Independent variables were the frequency of ayahuasca use throughout the period and the length of ayahuasca wash-out after six months. Santo Daime subjects had a significant reduction of minor psychiatric symptoms, improvement of mental health, and a change in attitude towards more confidence and optimism. The União do Vegetal group had a significant decrease in physical pain, and attitude change towards more independence. Independence was positively correlated with the frequency of ayahuasca use and negatively correlated with the wash-out period. We discuss possible mechanisms by which these changes may occur and suggest areas for future research.