Journal of Psychedelic Studies
March 29, 2019
Tom Wolff, Simon Ruffell, Nigel Netzband et al.
41 citations
In a study of nine foreign tourists at an ayahuasca retreat in Peru, the typical structure of spontaneously reported experiences included personal preparation, physical symptoms, visual phenomena, cognitive and emotional phenomena, reactions within the psychedelic world and ordinary reality, and appraisal of the process. Emotional reactions ranged from pleasant (psychotherapeutic target emotions and hedonistic emotions) to unpleasant. For most participants, the presence of psychotherapeutic target emotions seemed to involve unpleasant emotions in the same session, possibly as transitional emotional states. This suggests psychodynamic processes, such as activation of emotional conflicts, can occur spontaneously during ayahuasca intake in this setting. Some participants attributed symbolic meaning to visionary content, more likely among psychotherapeutically motivated clients. The setting and expectations about native wisdom may influence experiences and interpretations.
Pharmacological research
September 1, 2024
Giorgia Caspani, Simon G D Ruffell, WaiFung Tsang et al.
13 citations
Psychedelics show promise for treating psychiatric disorders, but current explanations focus mainly on their action at serotonin receptors in the brain. This review argues that the gut microbiota, via the gut-brain axis, may also play a role. Evidence suggests psychedelics can alter gut microbiota composition, and microbial metabolism might influence psychedelic effects. The authors call for incorporating microbiome hypotheses into future research, which could lead to personalized psychedelic therapies tailored to individual gut microbiota profiles.
February 21, 2023
Simon Ruffell, Nigel Netzband, WaiFung Tsang et al.
3 citations
preprint
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew from the Amazon Rainforest made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and a DMT-containing plant like Psychotria viridis, has seen a surge in global interest since 2000. This review covers its history, pharmacology, and phenomenological effects, as well as clinical applications. Tourists increasingly travel to the Amazon to consume it, and retreat centers offering plant medicine have become a thriving business. Anecdotal reports range from evangelical accounts to stories of physical and psychological harm. The brew shows promise as a psychedelic agent warranting more empirical research into its neurochemical mechanisms and therapeutic uses.
June 24, 2022
Simon Ruffell, Sam Gandy, WaiFung Tsang et al.
2 citations
preprint
Participation in an indigenous Amazonian ayahuasca retreat, with an average of 5.85 ceremonies attended, was associated with significant increases in nature relatedness and mindfulness, as well as improvements in depression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety. Changes in nature relatedness were negatively correlated with depression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety, and positively correlated with mindfulness. It remains unclear whether these changes resulted from the brew, the ceremony, or the retreat setting. The pilot study suggests a potential therapeutic role for such retreats as a multidimensional intervention, but further research is needed to identify mediators and assess long-term effects.
Drug Science Policy and Law
January 1, 2023
WaiFung Tsang, Simon Ruffell, Nigel Netzband et al.
Adults who attended ayahuasca retreats in Peru reported fewer symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity afterward, regardless of retreat length or number of ceremonies. In an exploratory pilot study, 49 adults completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale before and after retreats lasting 8 days to 4 weeks. Scores for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and total symptoms all dropped significantly. Only four participants had a prior ADHD diagnosis. The findings suggest ayahuasca may be associated with reductions in core ADHD features, but controlled trials are needed to confirm causality.