Journal of psychoactive drugs
September 1, 2009
Paulo Cesar Ribeiro Barbosa, Irene Maurício Cazorla, Joel Sales Giglio et al.
113 citations
Twenty-three people were assessed just before and six months after their first ayahuasca experience in two Brazilian religious groups. In the Santo Daime group, minor psychiatric symptoms decreased, mental health improved, and attitudes shifted toward greater confidence and optimism. In the União do Vegetal group, physical pain decreased and attitudes shifted toward greater independence. More frequent ayahuasca use was linked to more independence, while a longer period without ayahuasca was linked to less independence. The authors discuss possible mechanisms behind these changes and suggest areas for future research.
Drug testing and analysis
January 1, 2012
Paulo Cesar Ribeiro Barbosa, Suely Mizumoto, Michael P Bogenschutz et al.
112 citations
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew traditionally used by Amazonian peoples, has spread to urban areas worldwide, raising concerns about potential health risks. A review of 15 studies from the PubMed database examined the emotional, cognitive, and physical health effects of ayahuasca use after acute effects subsided. The accumulated data suggest that ayahuasca use is safe and may even be beneficial under certain conditions. However, methodological bias in the reviewed studies may have contributed to the preponderance of beneficial effects and the few adverse effects reported. The data do not yet allow definitive conclusions about ayahuasca's effects on mental and physical health, but some studies point toward beneficial outcomes.
Comprehensive psychiatry
November 1, 2016
Paulo Cesar Ribeiro Barbosa, Rick J Strassman, Dartiu Xavier Da Silveira et al.
104 citations
Regular ritual use of hoasca (ayahuasca) within a Brazilian religious group in the United States is associated with lower depression and confusion, higher agreeableness and openness, better memory performance, and less recent alcohol use compared to matched controls. The study of 30 members of the União do Vegetal and 27 non-user controls found no adverse effects on neuropsychological function. Lifetime hoasca use correlated with fewer physical health role limitations and less heavy alcohol use, suggesting the religious use of this psychedelic brew may have positive effects on mood and substance use.
April 8, 2016
Beatriz Caiuby Labate, Rafael Guimaraes Dos Santos, Brian Anderson et al.
2 citations
Ayahuasca, used ritually in South American religions such as Santo Daime and União do Vegetal and in Amazonian rehabilitation centers, shows therapeutic potential for treating substance dependence. Anthropological and psychiatric data indicate that ritual ayahuasca use can aid healing from addiction. The chapter reviews evidence from these settings and discusses methodological, ethical, and political considerations for future research. It places current studies in the context of psychedelic and psycholytic therapies developed between the 1950s and 1970s, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches to understand ayahuasca's role in dependence treatment.