Effects of ayahuasca on gratitude and relationships with nature: An open-label, naturalistic study

People who attended an ayahuasca retreat showed increased gratitude, nature relatedness, and nature appreciation one week and one month afterward, compared with before the retreat. Mystical-type experiences and feelings of awe during the retreat were weakly to moderately linked to these increases, while ego dissolution was not. The findings suggest that the mystical and awe-inducing aspects of ayahuasca may lead to personality changes that benefit mental health and prosocial attitudes, though more research is needed to confirm the results.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Ayahuasca is a psychedelic brew that has been the focus of an increasing number of investigations for its potential therapeutic effects. In addition to psychiatric improvements, qualitative studies and anecdotal reports suggest that ayahuasca use may influence gratitude and relationships with nature. Yet, to date, these specific changes have been understudied. Here, participants (N = 54) completed surveys one-week before, one-week after, and one-month after attending an ayahuasca retreat center. There was a significant increase in gratitude, nature relatedness, and nature appreciation at the one-week and one-month follow-ups compared to baseline. Ratings of mystical-type experiences and awe, but not ego dissolution, were weakly-to-moderately correlated with increases in gratitude, nature relatedness, and nature appreciation. Although further research is needed to address study limitations, our results support that mystical-type experiences and awe occasioned by ayahuasca can be followed by changes in personality that are beneficial to mental health as well as prosocial.