A six-month prospective evaluation of personality traits, psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in ayahuasca-naïve subjects.
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.