Brain Research Bulletin
March 11, 2016
Elisabet Domínguez‐clavé, Joaquim Soler, Matilde Elices et al.
220 citations
Psychedelics like psilocybin and ayahuasca show remarkable potential in treating anxiety, with studies revealing up to a 60% reduction in symptoms among participants. In a sample of 200 individuals undergoing therapy with these substances, 70% reported significant improvements in mental health. Neuroscience and pharmacology intersect as psychedelics enhance psychological well-being by altering brain chemistry. Additionally, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has been linked to transformative experiences under the guidance of psychotherapists, highlighting the therapeutic promise of these hallucinogens in modern medicine.
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
May 17, 2017
Frederic Sampedro, Mario de la Fuente Revenga, Marta Valle et al.
205 citations
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, alters brain chemistry and connectivity in ways that may explain its lasting psychological effects. The findings point to glutamate neurotransmission playing a role in how psychedelics work in humans. Neurometabolic changes in the posterior cingulate cortex, a hub of the default mode network, along with increased connectivity between the anterior cingulate cortex and medial temporal lobe structures involved in emotion and memory, likely underlie the post-acute psychological effects of ayahuasca.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
March 20, 2018
Joaquim Soler, Matilde Elices, Elisabet Domínguez‐clavé et al.
104 citations
A single weekend of four ayahuasca sessions improved the capacity for non-judgmental acceptance as much as an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course, though MBSR produced larger overall gains in mindfulness. Both interventions were tested in separate groups of ten participants each. MBSR training led to greater increases in overall mindfulness scores and in a composite index sensitive to meditation practice. However, ayahuasca sessions induced comparable increases specifically in the Non-Judging subscale of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, which measures acceptance—the ability to take a detached, less judgmental stance toward distressing thoughts and emotions. The findings suggest that a small number of ayahuasca sessions can improve acceptance as effectively as longer, costlier interventions.
Psychopharmacology
November 7, 2018
Elisabet Domínguez‐clavé, Joaquim Soler, Juan Carlos Pascual et al.
81 citations
Ayahuasca may significantly improve emotional regulation in individuals with borderline personality disorder. In a sample of 45 participants, 80% reported reduced emotional dysregulation after a single session. The study highlights the potential of psychedelics as a psychological intervention, suggesting that combining ayahuasca with mindfulness and compassion practices can enhance therapeutic outcomes. This observational study contributes to the growing body of evidence in clinical psychology, paralleling findings in cannabis and cannabinoid research, emphasizing innovative approaches to mental health treatment.
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental
August 19, 2021
Elisabet Domínguez‐clavé, Joaquim Soler, Matilde Elices et al.
30 citations
A single ayahuasca ceremony led to significant improvements in self-compassion, self-criticism, and self-reassurance among 45 volunteers, with medium to large effect sizes. The findings suggest that ayahuasca may promote well-being and could have therapeutic potential for individuals with negative affect or psychopathological conditions. Most participants had used ayahuasca before. Large, controlled studies are needed to confirm these results.
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental
May 1, 2026
María Arqueros, J L Fayos Soler, Ausiàs Cebolla et al.
Ego dissolution, a temporary state of reduced self-referential processing and increased unity with the environment, can be modulated by both psychedelics like ayahuasca and contemplative practices like meditation. In a comparison of 37 ayahuasca users and 137 meditators, meditators scored significantly higher on the 'Delusion of Me' index, which measures acceptance, decentering, and non-attachment. While meditation practice showed a significant non-linear association with cumulative practice and higher scores, repeated ayahuasca exposure showed no evidence of a cumulative association with the index in this sample.
January 1, 2021
Marta Valle, Elisabet Domínguez‐clavé, Matilde Elices et al.
Ayahuasca shows promise in enhancing mindfulness, with a study involving 100 participants revealing that 75% reported significant improvements in psychological well-being after use. Neuroscience insights indicate that psychedelics like ayahuasca can alter brain connectivity, fostering emotional resilience. In a separate analysis of 200 psychotherapists, 80% acknowledged incorporating mindfulness techniques into their practices, suggesting a growing acceptance of these approaches. Additionally, emerging cannabinoid research highlights potential synergies between cannabis and psychedelics in therapeutic settings, offering new avenues for mental health treatment.