A phenomenology of subjectively relevant experiences induced by ayahuasca in Upper Amazon vegetalismo tourism

Abstract

Aims This heuristic study reports observations on the phenomenology of ayahuasca experiences of nine foreign tourist participants of an ayahuasca retreat in Peru. Methods Narrative interviews, reflecting individual experiences after ayahuasca “night ceremony,” have been analyzed by qualitative content analysis using a data-driven strategy in order to extract themes and categories inherent in the interviews. Previously, a demographic questionnaire was given. The dose–response connection was uncontrolled, which is typical for this naturalistic setting. Results The typical structure of spontaneously reported experiences includes: personal preparation, physical symptoms, visual phenomena, cognitive and emotional phenomena, reactions of the individual within the psychedelic “world” as well as within ordinary reality, and appraisal to the process. Emotional reactions were subsumed under pleasant (psychotherapeutic “target emotions” and hedonistic emotions) and unpleasant emotions. For a majority, the presence of psychotherapeutic target emotions seemed to involve the presence of unpleasant emotions in the same session – possibly as transitional emotional states. Conclusions This suggests that psychodynamic processes, for example, possible activation of emotional conflicts – can take place spontaneously, during ayahuasca intake in this particular setting. Some participants attributed symbolic meaning to the visionary content, which was more likely to take place in psychotherapeutically motivated clients. The specific setting influence as well as corresponding expectations of the participants in native wisdom could have considerable influence on experiences and interpretations, such as communication with entities as well as receiving personal teachings.

Ceremonial Ayahuasca in Amazonian Retreats—Mental Health and Epigenetic Outcomes From a Six-Month Naturalistic Study

“…Although individual sessions may be beneficial, the effects resulting from individual psychedelic therapies are often difficult to predict. Qualitative studies suggest transformative experiences may occur spontaneously in individual ceremonies ( 20 ). Psychological “breakthroughs” are sometimes even described as independent of the dose and number of sessions ( 72 ).…”

“…The ayahuasca experience has been characterised by profound alterations to one's sense of self and reality, emotional and cognitive processing, and spatiotemporal orientation ( 17 ). Visual phenomena are also often reported, ranging from colourful geometric patterns to vivid dream-like experiences, alongside transient dissociation, enhanced introspection and initial anxiety followed by euthymia ( 9 , 15 , 18 – 20 ). Furthermore, ayahuasca's effects have been linked to transcendental and mystical experiences, such as being connected to spirit realms in traditional Amerindian perspectives, and divinity in religious contexts ( 21 ).…”

Modulatory effects of ayahuasca on personality structure in a traditional framework

“…Over the 12-day retreat, semi-structured interviews were conducted. These qualitative findings are presented in a separate publication (Wolff et al 2019).…”

Restructuring insight: An integrative review of insight in problem-solving, meditation, psychotherapy, delusions and psychedelics

“…Psychedelics often cause people to experience different visions (Cott & Rock, 2012;Wolff et al, 2019;Winkelman, 2017;Winkelman, 2018;Belser et al, 2017). Abstract visions of colors and geometric patterns are the most common, but sometimes (more common with dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and higher doses of psychedelics) visions of creatures, people or places are also reported (Wolff et al, 2019;Cott & Rock, 2012;Winkelman, 2017;Belser et al, 2017). Although there are similarities in the reported visions, the experiences can also have large individual differences and may be symbolic of personal history (Belser et al, 2017).…”

“…Such visions can occasionally accompany insights and in some cases insights are "given" by entities in the visions (Wolff et al, 2019): "And I started asking ayahuasca questions.…”