Predicting and exploring ayahuasca effects: Perception, mind-wandering, and EEG oscillations
Journal of Psychopharmacology – December 04, 2025
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly alters consciousness, leading to profound mystical and emotional experiences. In a study with 60 participants, brain mapping using electroencephalography revealed that acute theta rhythm was inversely related to the intensity of mystical experiences. Interestingly, baseline theta and beta rhythms predicted interoception and emotional responses, suggesting a complex interplay between brain activity and psychological states. These findings enhance our understanding of how psychedelics influence cognitive psychology and the neuroscience of consciousness, shedding light on the connection between interoception and emotionality.
Abstract
Ayahuasca induced consciousness alterations, visual, bodily, emotional, and mystical experiences, chaotic and meaningful mind-wandering, and decreased especially alpha. While acute theta seems inversely related to mystical experiences, baseline theta and beta seem to inversely predict interoception and emotionality.