Ayahuasca's antidepressant effects covary with behavioral activation as well as mindfulness
January 1, 2019 Maha Mian
Ayahuasca, a plant-based hallucinogen used as a spiritual medicine in South America, has shown antidepressant effects in at least one placebo-controlled trial. A survey of 152 individuals found that mindfulness was strongly linked to reduced depression severity, while behavioral activation was moderately linked. Changes in depressive symptoms, measured by the CES-D-10, were associated with mindfulness facets, confirming prior findings. Additionally, a modified behavioral activation scale accounted for unique variance in depression improvements, suggesting behavioral activation is an important mechanism underlying ayahuasca's antidepressant effects. Future clinical trials could benefit from tracking and increasing valued, positive activities.