Assessment of the Psychotherapeutic Effects of Ritual Ayahuasca Use on Drug Dependency: A Pilot Study

Fernández, Xavier; Santos, Rafael G. dos; Cutchet, Marta; Fondevila, Sabela; González, Débora; Alcázar, Miguel Ángel; Riba, Jordi; Bouso, José Carlos; Fábregas, Josep María

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-40426-9_11

Cited by 29 publications

(33 citation statements)

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“…The ayahuasca-induced introspective experience has been shown to have potential benefits for the improvement of several pathologies such as addiction (Nunes et al, 2016;Thomas et al, 2013;Fernández et al, 2014), treatmentresistant depression (Osório et al, 2015;Sanches et al, 2016) and suicidal and aggressive behavior (Frecska, 2008;Grob et al, 1996). Ayahuasca also displays potential mental health protection (Bouso et al, 2012;Grob et al, 1996;Halpern et al, 2008), improved neuropsychological functions (Bouso et al, 2012Bouso et al, 2013) and improved creativity (Frecska et al, 2012;Kuypers et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The underlying psychological processes related to the use of ayahuasca are not well described yet in the scientific literature, but there is some evidence suggesting that variables such as Decentering, Values and those related to the Self could be useful to explain the therapeutic effects of the decoction (Fernández et al, 2014;Soler et al, 2016;Thomas et al, 2013). Stories about subjective perception of ayahuasca benefits usually include references to "ego dissolution", "higher consciousness of important things", "contact with oneself", "improved ability to understand others", "greater acceptance of oneself and life events", "capacity of self-observation", and other similar processes related to personal growth (Bresnick and Levin, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychological variables implied in the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca: A contextual approach

Franquesa

Sainz-Cort²,

Gandy

et al. 2018

Psychiatry Research

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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.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological variables implied in the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca: A contextual approach

Franquesa

Sainz-Cort²,

Gandy

et al. 2018

Psychiatry Research

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“…These results are in agreement with recent studies showing anxiolytic and antidepressive effects of serotonergic hallucinogens such as psilocybin and LSD 36,[44][45][46][47] . Regarding antiaddictive effects in humans, although there are no controlled trials, non-controlled studies in therapeutic and ritual settings suggest that ayahuasca use may have antiaddictive effects 48,49 . Moreover, studies with psilocybin and LSD also suggest that hallucinogenic compounds that act as 5-HT 2A agonists have antiaddictive effects 36,50,51 .…”

Section: Therapeutic Potentialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evidence from uncontrolled studies 42,48,49 Anxiolytic Antidepressive Antiaddictive Evidence from controlled studies 41,43 Anxiolytic Antidepressive…”

Section: Table 3 Main Therapeutic Potentials Of Ayahuascamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, recent studies with LSD and psilocybin for depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer reported promising results, and ayahuasca could also be evaluated in this clinical population 44,46,47 . Regarding drug dependence, although there is evidence from animal studies and from anecdotal reports and uncontrolled studies suggesting that ayahuasca has antiaddictive properties 21,38,40,48,49,54,57 , no controlled trials were ever performed and they are urgent needed.…”

Section: Suggestions For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ayahuasca: what mental health professionals need to know

Santos

Bouso²,

Hallak

2017

Arch. Clin. Psychiatry (São Paulo)

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Background: Ayahuasca is a psychoactive ethnobotanical concoction that has been used for decades by indigenous groups of the Northwestern Amazon and by syncretic religious organizations for ritual and therapeutic purposes. In the last two decades, it is being used worldwide in evolving practices. Ayahuasca seem to therapeutic effects, but controlled studies are lacking. Moreover, its safety and toxicity are not completely understood. Objectives: To present an overview of the effects of ayahuasca based on the most recent human studies. Methods: Narrative review. Results: Ayahuasca administration in controlled settings appears to be safe from a subjective and physiological perspective, with few adverse reactions being reported. More frequent adverse reactions occur in non-controlled settings. Prolonged psychotic reactions are rare and seem to occur especially in susceptible individuals. Ayahuasca showed antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive effects in animal models, observational studies, and in open-label and controlled studies. Discussion: Ayahuasca administration in controlled settings appear to be safe. Moreover, ayahuasca seem to have therapeutic effects for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders that should be further investigated in randomized controlled clinical trials. However, medical complications and cases of prolonged psychotic reactions have been reported, and people with personal or family history of psychotic disorders should avoid ayahuasca intake.

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Measuring the subjective: revisiting the psychometric properties of three rating scales that assess the acute effects of hallucinogens

Bouso¹,

Pérez

Gandy

et al. 2016

Hum. Psychopharmacol Clin Exp

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Assessment of the Psychotherapeutic Effects of Ritual Ayahuasca Use on Drug Dependency: A Pilot Study

Cited by 29 publications

References 20 publications

Psychological variables implied in the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca: A contextual approach

Psychological variables implied in the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca: A contextual approach

Ayahuasca: what mental health professionals need to know

Measuring the subjective: revisiting the psychometric properties of three rating scales that assess the acute effects of hallucinogens

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