Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
August 4, 2020
Cecile Giovannetti, Sara García Arce, Brian Rush et al.
55 citations
Integrating ayahuasca and traditional Amazonian medicine with psychotherapy in an inpatient addiction treatment program for men significantly reduced anxiety and depression. Patients' Beck Anxiety Inventory scores dropped from 20.8 to 11.6, and Beck Depression Inventory scores fell from 30.9 to 13.7. Improvements in quality of life, spirituality, and treatment satisfaction correlated with these reductions. The results support the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca and Amazonian medicine in mental health treatments.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
January 1, 2023
Anja Loizaga-Velder, Cecile Giovannetti, Ricardo Campoy Gomez et al.
9 citations
An outpatient therapeutic program run by Yaqui health professionals and traditional healers for Yaqui tribe members in Sonora, Mexico, combines traditional Indigenous healing practices—including sweatlodge (temazcal), medicinal plants, and ritual use of naturally derived psychedelics such as ayahuasca, peyote, and Incilius alvarius secretions—with culturally adapted group and individual psychotherapy, sports, meals, construction work, and cultural activities. Three case studies from an ongoing observational study show therapeutic progress and improved psychometric outcomes, suggesting this intercultural approach holds promise for addressing substance use disorders and mental health issues in Indigenous communities.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
January 24, 2025
Cecile Giovannetti, Anja Loizaga-Velder, Ricardo Campoy Gomez et al.
5 citations
An outpatient clinic serving a Yaqui Indigenous community in Mexico integrated ayahuasca ceremonies with psychotherapeutic support to treat substance use and mental health disorders. In 37 patients with depression, anxiety, complicated grief, or substance use disorder, symptom scores dropped substantially after two ceremonies: depression scores fell from 15.7 to 5.1, anxiety from 16.6 to 6.3, and complicated grief from 39.6 to 10.7. Among eight patients with suicide risk, seven no longer showed risk after one ceremony. The ceremonies were well-tolerated. The findings suggest that culturally-attuned, community-based ayahuasca-assisted therapy may rapidly reduce mental health symptoms and warrants further study.
The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse
November 2, 2023
Fernando Mendive, Cecile Giovannetti, Sara García Arce
4 citations
A treatment program at the Takiwasi Center in the Peruvian Amazon combines traditional Amazonian medicine with modern psychotherapy to help people with substance use disorders. Since 1992, over a thousand patients from diverse backgrounds have participated in residential treatment. The program uses Amazonian healing techniques alongside psychological approaches in a therapeutic community. Quantitative outcomes show significant improvements in mental health indicators during treatment. The approach may offer insights for broader understanding and care of substance use disorders.