Subjective Effects of a Single Dose of Ayahuasca among College Students with Harmful Alcohol Use: Qualitative Analysis of Participant Accounts
Psychoactives – November 17, 2023
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise in reducing alcohol consumption among young adults, particularly those aged 18 to 24. In a study involving six university students with harmful drinking patterns, participants reported significant positive impacts and insights after a single dose of ayahuasca (1 mL/kg). Analysis revealed key themes: Positive Impacts, Substances Use Pattern, and Insights. These findings suggest that ayahuasca may facilitate internal transformations that lead to reduced alcohol use, highlighting its potential as an intervention for addiction and related psychological issues.
Abstract
Alcohol is the recreational drug most frequently consumed, and its high frequency of use can lead to worsening social, psychological, and domestic issues. The age group most susceptible to alcohol dependence is 18- to 24-year-old youths, demanding interventional tools to target early involvement risks. Ayahuasca seems to be a promising therapeutic tool since evidence suggests it presents potential for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, among other disorders. This study aimed to analyze subjective reports of university students with harmful alcohol use participating in a single-blind study evaluating the effects of one ayahuasca dose (1 mL/kg). Twenty-one days after ayahuasca administration, semi-structured interviews were conducted (n = 6) to identify peer psychological elements linked to its therapeutic potential. Subsequently, content analysis methodology was employed to define the main categories: Self-perception of experience, Positive Impacts (PI), Substances Use Pattern (SUP), Insights (I), Visual Effects, Transient Derealization, and Sleep Pattern. Among these, the most pertinent categories for this study were PI, SUP, and I, as, together, they suggest a potential link between insights and/or positive emotions and reduced alcohol consumption due to their internal transformation potential, which could be linked to a decrease in consumption.