Human psychopharmacology
September 1, 2016
José Carlos Bouso, Eduardo José Pedrero-Pérez, Sam Gandy et al.
48 citations
Three widely used questionnaires for assessing the subjective effects of hallucinogens—the Hallucinogen Rating Scale (HRS), the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), and the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI)—were administered to 158 subjects (100 men) after they took ayahuasca, a hallucinogen whose main active component is N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses showed that the results only sparsely matched the theoretical proposals of the original authors, possibly because previous studies did not always use psychometric methods appropriate to the data. The authors consider these findings preliminary, pending larger samples to confirm or reject the proposed structures.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
María Gómez-sousa, Daniel F Jiménez-garrido, Genís Ona et al.
24 citations
Among 40 first-time ayahuasca ceremony participants, 7 reported intense challenging psychological effects. Four of those 7 had a pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis; one month after the ceremony, two no longer met diagnostic criteria and the other two showed considerably reduced symptoms, with effects persisting at six months. Poor setting and guidance contributed to some reactions. Six of the seven did not use ayahuasca again during the study. The findings suggest that acute negative psychological reactions during ayahuasca ceremonies can sometimes be followed by positive long-term effects, highlighting the need for prospective research on safety and contextual factors.
Drug and alcohol review
February 1, 2023
Borja J Rodríguez-cano, Maja Kohek, Genís Ona et al.
17 citations
Ibogaine, a psychoactive alkaloid from the Tabernanthe iboga plant traditionally used in Bwiti culture, has been used experimentally to treat substance use disorders (SUD) since 1962. Interviews with 13 people who self-treated their SUD with ibogaine revealed that the drug's therapeutic benefits arise not only from its pharmacology but also from the subjective experience it induces. Participants reported that ibogaine evoked interpersonal and transpersonal experiences, autobiographical memories, and personal insights. These effects, along with preparation, integration, and motivation for lifestyle change, appear to help individuals cope with their SUD, particularly given limited alternative treatment options.
Culture, medicine and psychiatry
June 1, 2023
José Carlos Bouso, Genís Ona, Maja Kohek et al.
8 citations
Hallucinations are not exclusively tied to psychopathology; they also occur in healthy individuals and, in certain contexts such as those induced by hallucinogenic drugs, can improve mental health. Historical, epidemiological, and scientific evidence suggests hallucinations are a common phenomenon that can be functional and beneficial. The authors argue that hallucinations can provide a privileged route to understanding the mind and the world, a shift that could impact drug policy, civil law, psychiatry, and reduce stigma around mental disorders.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
March 19, 2026
Pedro J Teixeira, Jorge Encantado, Helena D Amaro et al.
Portuguese adults who participate in ayahuasca ceremonies report good or very good health, with lower rates of chronic disease and obesity compared to the general population. They also report greater physical activity, lower alcohol consumption, and enhanced psychological well-being. Many attribute positive lifestyle changes, reduced substance use, and less reliance on prescription medication to their ayahuasca experiences. These findings align with prior research linking ayahuasca use to health and well-being, though causal pathways remain unclear.