Psychological and neuropsychological assessment of regular hoasca users.
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.