Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew from Amazonia, may support mental health and boost mindfulness, but the psychological mechanisms behind its therapeutic effects are unclear. Comparing 81 ayahuasca users with 41 non-users, users scored higher on Decentering and Positive self, but not on Valued living, Life fulfillment, or measures of self in social or close relations. More experienced users (over 15 sessions) showed higher Decentering scores than less experienced ones. These findings suggest that psychological processes like Decentering could help explain ayahuasca's benefits in psychotherapy, warranting their inclusion in future studies.
The purity of iboga products sold online and by treatment providers is highly variable. Analysis of 16 samples—including root bark, total alkaloids, purified total alkaloids, and ibogaine hydrochloride—found ibogaine content ranging from 0.6% to 11.2% in root bark, 8.2% to 32.9% in total alkaloid products, 73.7% in one purified sample, and 61.5% to 73.4% in ibogaine hydrochloride samples. One sample contained no iboga alkaloids. Almost all samples also contained other alkaloids and unknown substances. The variability poses risks for correct dosing and potential adverse reactions or interactions.