Neuropsychological effect on long-term Ayahuasca use
Counseling And Psychological Services Dissertations (Georgia State University) – June 02, 2022
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Long-term use of Ayahuasca appears to have minimal lasting effects on neuropsychological functioning. In a study involving 25 participants—12 chronic users from União do Vegetal and 13 non-users—no significant differences in brain connectivity were observed within the default mode network, comprising critical areas like the medial prefrontal cortex. Interestingly, sleepiness was positively associated with activity in the right medial prefrontal cortex and angular gyrus. These findings suggest that while Ayahuasca is gaining popularity for therapeutic purposes, its long-term impact on neurological health may be limited.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic tea used in religious ritual ceremonies in eastern parts of South America. Ayahuasca is becoming more popular in western countries for therapeutic use for depression, drug addiction, and emotional distress (Domínguez-Clavé et al., 2016). Previous research has explored the effects ayahuasca may have on cognition, neurological functioning, and psychopathology. Although several studies have been done on cognition and psychopathology, few studies have examined the long-term use of neurological functioning. This study focused on neuropsychological effects chronic recurrent religious users of Ayahuasca may develop, using an existing data set. This study analyzed the default mode network (DMN) comprised of the posterior cingulate cortex, angular gyrus, and the medial prefrontal cortex. To assess the DMN functional magnetic resonance images (fMRI) scans were collected. This study included 12 Ayahuasca users from the U.S. branch of União do Vegetal (UDV) and 13 non-Ayahuasca-using controls from Albuquerque Protestant and Catholic churches. No differences were found between groups on connectivity in any region of interest nor in relation to mood assessments. However, the right medial prefrontal cortex and the angular gyrus revealed a positive associated with sleepiness. Possible effects can be assessed on default mode network (DMN) connectivity using a larger sample size. These findings display evidence that long-term use of Ayahuasca does not have essential lasting neuropsychological effects.