Long-term ayahuasca use is associated with preserved global cognitive function and improved memory: a cross-sectional study with ritual users.
Arilton Martins Fonseca, Rafael Guimarães Dos Santos, Lívia Soman de Medeiros, Thiago André Moura Veiga, Fernando Cassas, Carla Poleselli Bruniera, Giordano Novak Rossi, José Carlos Bouso, Jaime E Cecílio Hallak, Fabiana Pereira Santos, Beatriz Aparecida Passos Bismara Paranhos, Mauricio Yonamine, Eliana Rodrigues
European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience March 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-024-01817-9 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLong-term ritualistic ayahuasca use, spanning over 20 years, does not impair cognition and may be linked to better working memory compared to short-term use. In a study of 48 participants from a Santo Daime church in Brazil, experienced users (over 20 years) scored higher on tests of verbal and visuospatial working memory than beginners (under 3 years). No evidence of cognitive decline was found among ayahuasca users. The control group, matched by sex, age, and education, showed similar cognitive performance. The brew's botanical identities and alkaloid content were confirmed.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 48 |
| Population | Experienced and beginner ayahuasca users from the Centro Luz Divina, a Santo Daime church in Brazil, and a matched control group |
| Intervention | ayahuasca |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Banisteriopsis caapi Psychotria viridis Cognition Santo daime Ayahuasca yage |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key finding | Long-term ayahuasca use was associated with higher scores on working memory tasks compared to short-term use, with no evidence of cognitive decline. |
Abstract
Although several studies have been conducted to elucidate the relationship between psychedelic consumption and cognition, few have focused on understanding the long-term use influence of these substances on these variables, especially in ritualistic contexts. To verify the influence of ritualistic ayahuasca consumption on the cognition of experienced ayahuasca religious users (> 20 years) and beginners (< 3 years), which participated in rituals of the Centro Luz Divina (CLD), a Santo Daime church in Brazil. Observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was carried out in which 48 people participated divided into three groups: (a) experienced ayahuasca users (n = 16), (b) beginner ayahuasca users (n = 16) and (c) control group (n = 16). All groups were matched by sex, age, and education and contained 8 women and 8 men. Cognition was assessed with the WASI (intelligence quotient), Digit Span (verbal working memory), Corsi Block-Tapping Task (visuospatial-related and working memory), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test (visual perception, immediate memory), and Wisconsin Card Sorting and Five Digit Test (executive functions). Groups were homogenous in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, with participants presenting average intellectual performance. There was no evidence of cognitive decline amongst ayahuasca users. The experienced group showed higher scores compared to the less experienced group in the Digit Span and Corsi Block-Tapping tasks, which assess working verbal and visuospatial memories respectively. We confirmed the botanical identities of Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi and the presence of the alkaloids both in the plants and in the brew. Short and long-term ayahuasca consumption does not seem to alter human cognition, while long-term use seems to be associated with improvements in aspects of working memory when compared with short-term use.