Amazonian Ayahuasca and Mental Health Outcomes
June 17, 2024 D Ruffell, Simon G
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew from the Amazon made from Banisteriopsis caapi and a DMT-containing plant, has seen a surge in global interest, with tourists traveling to the Amazon for retreats and the brew now present on every continent. Anecdotal reports range from evangelical accounts to stories of harm. This thesis includes a systematic review suggesting complex synergistic mechanisms in the brew's pharmacology, though more research is needed, and five observational studies on Shipibo-style ayahuasca retreats in Peru. The research documents effects on personality, mental health, epigenetics, and nature relatedness, along with a phenomenological analysis of the experience, and discusses ethical issues and potential medicalization.