A Qualitative Study of Intention and Impact of Ayahuasca Use by Westerners

Western participants in facilitated group ayahuasca experiences reported a wide range of lasting beneficial impacts, including improvements in mental health, substance use, health behaviors, interpersonal relationships, sense of self, and attitude, as well as changes in creativity, somatic sensations, physical health, connection to nature, spirituality, and concern for the greater good. Two of the 41 participants reported problematic experiences tied to set and setting. The findings suggest that ayahuasca can produce sustained therapeutic-like effects beyond those typically addressed in psychotherapy, though the study is qualitative and does not establish causality.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Ayahuasca has gained the attention of researchers over the past decade as psychedelic-assisted therapy for MDMA and psilocybin have progressed through FDA approved clinical trials. In spite of the increase in research, there are relatively few clinical studies of ayahuasca and little qualitative research on the therapeutic or healing uses of psychedelics in general. The present study included 41 Western participants who were interviewed about their participation in facilitated group ayahuasca experiences (e.g. in shamanic, neoshamanic, spiritual, and religious settings). Participants were interviewed about their intentions for participating, along with the perceived impact of the experiences. In particular, we focused on impacts that participants perceived to be sustained and enduring. We identified an impressive range of beneficial impacts, including improvements in areas that are often a focus of psychotherapy, such as mental health and substance use, health behaviors, interpersonal relationships, sense of self, attitude. Extratherapeutic effects were also observed in areas such as changes in creativity, somatic sensations, physical health/pain, sense of connection to nature, spirituality, and concern for the greater good. Two participants also reported problematic experiences, apparently related to set and setting. Implications for research and practice, along with a humanistic framework for interpreting these findings is provided.