Psychological variables implied in the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca: A contextual approach
Alba Franquesa, Alberto Sainz-Cort, Sam Gandy, Joaquim Soler, Miguel Ángel Alcázar‐córcoles, José Carlos Bouso
Psychiatry Research April 4, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.04.012 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAyahuasca, a psychedelic brew from Amazonia, may support mental health and boost mindfulness, but the psychological mechanisms behind its therapeutic effects are unclear. Comparing 81 ayahuasca users with 41 non-users, users scored higher on Decentering and Positive self, but not on Valued living, Life fulfillment, or measures of self in social or close relations. More experienced users (over 15 sessions) showed higher Decentering scores than less experienced ones. These findings suggest that psychological processes like Decentering could help explain ayahuasca's benefits in psychotherapy, warranting their inclusion in future studies.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 122 |
| Population | Subjects with and without ayahuasca experience |
| Topics | Ayahuasca Meditation |
| Keywords | Context archaeology Psychotherapist Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 58 |
| Key finding | Ayahuasca users scored higher than non-users in Decentering and Positive self, but not in other psychological variables like Valued living or Life fulfillment. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic decoction originating from Amazonia. The ayahuasca-induced introspective experience has been shown to have potential benefits in the treatment of several pathologies, to protect mental health and to improve neuropsychological functions and creativity, and boost mindfulness. The underlying psychological processes related to the use of ayahuasca in a psychotherapeutic context are not yet well described in the scientific literature, but there is some evidence to suggest that psychological variables described in psychotherapies could be useful in explaining the therapeutic effects of the brew. In this study we explore the link between ayahuasca use and Decentering, Values and Self, comparing subjects without experience of ayahuasca (n = 41) with subjects with experience (n = 81). Results confirm that ayahuasca users scored higher than non-users in Decentering and Positive self, but not in Valued living, Life fulfillment, Self in social relations, Self in close relations and General self. Scores in Decentering were higher in the more experienced subjects (more than 15 occasions) than in those with less experience (less than 15 occasions). Our results show that psychological process variables may explain the outcomes in ayahuasca psychotherapy. The introduction of these variables is warranted in future ayahuasca therapeutic studies.