Scientific reports
November 10, 2023
Lucas Cruz, Bheatrix Bienemann, Fernanda Palhano-Fontes et al.
3 citations
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew used as an entheogen for centuries, is being investigated as a treatment for clinical disorders. This study analyzed open-ended descriptions from nine people with treatment-resistant depression and twenty healthy controls after their first ayahuasca experience. Using quantitative textual analysis, five clusters emerged: altered consciousness, cognitive changes, somatic alterations, auditory experiences, and visual content. People with depression reported more aversive bodily reactions. The findings align with known psychedelic experience patterns and may guide therapeutic use of ayahuasca.
Journal of Clinical Psychology
June 15, 2026
Lucas Cruz, Fernando R. Beserra, Julia M.k. Freind et al.
Music is frequently used in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, but there is no standardized protocol for selecting or implementing it. A systematic review of 36 articles found that 25 mentioned music, mostly in studies of psilocybin and MDMA for depressive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Procedures varied widely across studies, partly because different disorders and substances were investigated, and partly because no uniform guidelines exist. Identifying which features of music are prioritized may help guide future clinical practice and research.
Clinical Therapeutics
June 1, 2026
Anna Luiza Guimarães, Fernando R. Beserra, Lucas Cruz et al.
Interviews with 26 stakeholders in Brazil—including Indigenous leaders, clinicians, activists, and policymakers—revealed four barriers (accessibility, regulation, limited knowledge, and risks), three facilitators (need for innovation, scientific advancements, and legal loopholes), and four perspectives (integration of ancestral knowledge, idealization/mysticism/scientific rigor, user autonomy, and tangible social benefits) for psychedelic research and regulation. Themes were shared across groups but varied in emphasis, highlighting cultural, political, scientific, and clinical considerations for a region with a rich history of traditional psychedelic use.