Rumination, a repetitive negative thinking pattern, is a risk factor for depression, anxiety, and other disorders, yet it is often resistant to conventional treatments. A mini-review of six studies found a significant association between psychedelic use and lower levels of rumination, suggesting that reducing rumination via changes in the default mode network may be a key cognitive factor in psychedelic therapy. The review recommends exploring whether identifying ruminative tendencies before a psychedelic session improves adherence to "letting go" during dosing, and notes that booster sessions may help sustain therapeutic effects, though financial costs are high. Understanding rumination's role could inform postdosing integration strategies like rumination-focused cognitive behavior therapy or mindfulness.
Rumination is a risk factor for depression and anxiety, and psychedelic research suggests ayahuasca may reduce it. In a North American ayahuasca church, 30 participants completed daily surveys before and after a ceremony. Multi-level models showed large, significant reductions in rumination, depression, anxiety, and stress immediately after the ceremony, with effects maintained over the following week. Path models did not support rumination as a mediator of the link between ego-dissolution and reduced distress when bootstrapping was used, though mediation was found without it. The findings contribute to evidence that ceremonial ayahuasca use may reduce psychological distress.