The Novelty of Ayahuasca Scale and the prediction of intentions to use

Ayahuasca users expect its effects to differ from those of other hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin in several ways, including stronger positive connections to nature and other people, more dramatic or terrifying thoughts, greater variability of effects, and distinct physical reactions. Among 139 experienced users surveyed online, intentions to use ayahuasca again increased when they expected positive connections but decreased when they expected physical reactions. One version of a scale measuring the novelty of ayahuasca effects predicted a preference for ayahuasca over other hallucinogens, while another version did not, indicating a need for further research. Understanding these expectancies may help guide choices among hallucinogens for therapeutic use.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Objective Given the growing popularity of ayahuasca and other hallucinogens, we sought to identify related expectancies and their role in why people might use this psychoactive brew rather than classic hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin. Method Experienced users (N = 139) completed an online survey about their use of hallucinogens (including ayahuasca), how their ayahuasca experiences differed from those with other hallucinogens, as well as their intentions to use hallucinogens (including ayahuasca) in the future. Results Participants expected ayahuasca effects to differ meaningfully from the effects of other hallucinogens in multiple domains. Expected differences involved positive connections to nature (and other people), dramatic (or terrifying) thoughts, high variability of effects, and physical reactions. Intentions to use ayahuasca in the future increased as expectancies for positive connections increased, but decreased as physical reactions increased. One version of the full Novelty of Ayahuasca scale significantly covaried with the likelihood of using ayahuasca over other hallucinogens in the future, while another version did not. This result calls for further work examining how users perceive certain ayahuasca-induced effects. Conclusions These findings reveal that expectancies for ayahuasca differ from those for other hallucinogens, and impact an individual's willingness to try the substance again. Understanding these differences might help those who are interested in the therapeutic potential of hallucinogens decide among those available. Future studies might examine how these expectancies predict intentions to use ayahuasca (and other hallucinogens) longitudinally. Comparable approaches could also identify unique expectancies for other hallucinogens to see if those predict a preference for one over others.