Examining Changes in Personality Following Shamanic Ceremonial Use of Ayahuasca

A longitudinal study of 256 participants at three ayahuasca healing centers in South and Central America found that ceremonial ayahuasca use was associated with a large reduction in Neuroticism, a key personality trait linked to emotional stability. This change was observed both in self-reports (effect size d = 1.00 from baseline to post-use, d = 0.85 at three-month follow-up) and in reports from informants (d = 0.62 at follow-up). The degree of personality change was moderated by participants' baseline personality, acute experiences during the ceremony, and purgative experiences. The findings suggest ayahuasca ceremonies may contribute to lasting personality change, particularly in reducing Neuroticism.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract The present study examines the association between the ceremonial use of ayahuasca – a decoction combining the Banistereopsis caapi vine and N,N Dimethyltryptamine-containing plants – and changes in personality traits as conceived by the Five-Factor model (FFM); as well as the degree to which demographic characteristics, baseline personality, and acute post-ayahuasca experiences affect personality change. Method: Participants recruited from three ayahuasca healing and spiritual centers in South and Central America (N=256) completed self-report measures of personality at three timepoints (Baseline, Post, 3-Month Follow-up). Informant-report measures of the FFM were also obtained (N=110). Results: Linear mixed models were used to examine changes in personality and the moderation of those changes by covariates. The most pronounced change was a reduction in Neuroticism d self-reportT1-T2 =1.00; d self-reportT1-T3 =.85; d informant-reportT1-T3 =.62), reflected in self- and informant-report data. Moderation of personality change by baseline personality, acute experiences, and purgative experiences was also observed.