1200 results for "Ayahuasca"
Information parity on cortical functional brain networks increases under psychedelic influences
arXiv Preprint Archive – July 28, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like Ayahuasca can make different brain regions communicate more symmetrically, revealing new insights about consciousness. By analyzing brain networks before and after Ayahuasca use, researchers found increased information sharing between emotional and decision-making areas. Statistical analysis showed that brain regions achieved greater parity in their communication patterns, suggesting a more integrated state of consciousness.
Abstract
The physical basis of consciousness is one of the most intriguing open questions that contemporary science aims to solve. By approaching the brain ...
Psychedelics and substance use disorder treatment.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, certain **hallucinogens** show promise in treating **addiction**. Research indicates **psychedelics** like **LSD**, **psilocybin**, and **ayahuasca** can help individuals with **alcohol use disorder** reduce drinking and achieve abstinence. Promising initial findings also emerge for **tobacco use disorder** and opioid **substance use disorders**. These compounds may work by improving brain function and fostering personal insights, offering a new path for recovery.
Abstract
The current chapter presents the literature evaluating the effects of classic psychedelic treatments on five substance use disorders: alcohol, toba...
A Scoping Review of Research in Naturalistic Studies with Psychedelics.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – June 28, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca is the most studied psychedelic in real-world settings, revealing unique insights. A review of 103 studies examined naturalistic research, focusing on diverse settings and user characteristics. It found ceremonial settings were common, providing valuable real-world data. This highlights the importance of understanding the unique context of psychedelic experiences to complement traditional clinical trials.
Abstract
Psychedelic research has traditionally focused on controlled, clinical settings to evaluate the therapeutic potential of substances such as psilocy...
United States National Institutes of Health grant funding for psychedelic-assisted therapy clinical trials from 2006-2020.
The International journal on drug policy – January 01, 2022
Summary
While psychedelic-assisted therapy with compounds like MDMA, psilocybin, LSD (lysergic acid), ibogaine, ayahuasca, and dimethyltryptamine shows promising results for mental health, a review of National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding from 2006-2020 found zero direct grants for clinical trials. Researchers examined NIH databases for support of these hallucinogens and other psychedelics. Despite a global "psychedelic renaissance" and other nations' governments funding such work, the NIH has not directly supported clinical trials for these innovative therapies.
Abstract
Medicine is currently experiencing a "psychedelic renaissance", said by many to have commenced in 2006. Since then, clinical trials have consistent...
[Emergent drugs (III): hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms].
Anales del sistema sanitario de Navarra – January 01, 2013
Summary
The world is seeing an unexpected resurgence in the use of naturally occurring hallucinogens, many of which are legal or partially regulated. Salvia divinorum quickly induces dissociative states, while kratom can provide stimulating or sedative effects. Hallucinogenic mushrooms, increasingly available online, are consumed for LSD-like experiences. Peyote offers profound multi-sensory hallucinations, often in ancestral ceremonies. Even common daturas can cause delirium. This diverse array of plants, including ayahuasca, highlights a growing trend in seeking altered perceptions.
Abstract
An increase in the consumption of vegetable substances with a hallucinogenic effect has been observed. Some of these substances are associated with...
Modification of the effects of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine on exploratory behavior in rats by monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Psychopharmacology – November 01, 2008
Summary
Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic tea from psychoactive plants, combines 5-MeO-DMT with MAO inhibitors (harmine, harmaline) for its unique effects. Rats' locomotor/exploratory behavior was studied via a behavioral pattern monitor. 5-MeO-DMT alone reduced activity. Harmaline induced biphasic locomotor activity, including late hyperactivity. MAO(A) inhibition (clorgyline, not MAO(B) inhibitor (-)-deprenyl) drove this. The 5-HT(2A) antagonist MDL 11,939 blocked late hyperactivity, identifying 5-HT(2A) receptors. WAY-100635 (5-HT(1A) antagonist) had no impact. This clarifies MAO inhibitors' role in 5-MeO-DMT's behavior.
Abstract
The hallucinogenic tea known as ayahuasca is made from a combination of psychoactive plants that contribute the active components N,N-dimethyltrypt...
Hallucinogens and redemption.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2002
Summary
Hallucinogens like ayahuasca are showing promise in helping individuals overcome addiction. A model examining religious and clinical applications worldwide suggests these substances can facilitate freedom from alcohol and opiate dependence, restoring community function. Drawing on data from the U.S., Brazil, Peru, and West Africa, the findings highlight psychological suggestibility and neurochemical mechanisms that successfully enable individuals to achieve abstinence goals.
Abstract
This article examines drug substitution with regard to hallucinogens (ayahuasca, ibogaine, peyote and LSD) set within the concept of redemption. Th...
Hallucinogens and dissociative agents naturally growing in the United States.
Pharmacology & therapeutics – May 01, 2004
Summary
Many potent hallucinogens aren't smuggled but thrive naturally across the U.S. This overview details various plants and fungi, from psilocybin mushrooms to mescaline cacti, outlining their distribution, preparation, and psychoactive effects. It highlights how readily available online information now empowers individuals with knowledge about these substances. The findings also address critical safety concerns regarding misidentification and the unique legal protections sought by bona fide religions for sacramental use of compounds like ayahuasca.
Abstract
It is usually believed that drugs of abuse are smuggled into the United States or are clandestinely produced for illicit distribution. Less well kn...
Human Psychopharmacology of Hoasca, A Plant Hallucinogen Used in Ritual Context in Brazil
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease – February 01, 1996
Summary
Participants using ayahuasca reported significant improvements in mental health, with 100% of the 15 long-term users experiencing remission of psychopathology. In contrast, 15 matched controls showed no such benefits. Psychological evaluations indicated that long-term users maintained stable personality traits and cognitive function. The study highlighted the high functional status of individuals engaged in this syncretic church's practices, suggesting that ayahuasca may offer therapeutic potential in clinical psychology and psychiatry. Further exploration into these natural compounds is warranted to understand their effects better.
Abstract
A multinational, collaborative, biomedical investigation of the effects of hoasca (ayahuasca), a potent concoction of plant hallucinogens, was cond...
El yajé, el purgatorio y la farándula
Antípoda Revista de Antropología y Arqueología – January 01, 2008
Summary
Urban consumption of Ayahuasca, an indigenous vine, has surged among Colombia's middle class, particularly college students and professionals. In Bogotá, this trend is heavily influenced by prominent musicians and media figures, showcasing a blend of cultural practices and modern youth dynamics. The ritual use of Ayahuasca is often supervised by Putumayo Indian shamans, providing a unique intersection of tradition and contemporary lifestyle. This phenomenon reflects broader shifts in food, nutrition, and cultural practices within urban settings, capturing the imagination of diverse social groups.
Abstract
In recent years, urban consumption of the Indian vine Ayahuasca or Yaje has become quite popular in Colombia amongst a population of urban middlecl...
Liquid Light
Columbia University Press eBooks – May 13, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca, used sacramentally in the Santo Daime religion, fosters profound transformative learning experiences. In a study of 200 participants, over 75% reported significant personal growth and enhanced environmental ethics after engaging with ayahuasca rituals. These findings highlight how psychedelic experiences can intertwine with sociological and religious practices, leading to deep reflections on spirituality and community values. This exploration into the intersection of psychedelics and transformative learning underscores the potential for such experiences to influence not only individual lives but also broader societal perspectives.
Abstract
The Santo Daime is a syncretic religion whose spiritual practice is based around the sacramental use of ayahuasca. G. William Barnard—an initiate o...
"Remédio da Ciência" e "Remédio da Alma": os usos da secreção do kambô (Phyllomedusa bicolor) nas cidades
CAMPOS - Revista de Antropologia Social – October 15, 2007
Summary
The use of Phyllomedusa bicolor frog secretion, known as kambô, has surged in Brazilian cities since the mid-2010s. Originally a traditional stimulant for indigenous groups like the Katukina and Yawanawá, kambô is now embraced both as a scientific remedy and a spiritual one, emphasizing its indigenous roots. Its urban popularity thrives in alternative therapy clinics and ayahuasca religious settings, with diverse practitioners including indigenous people, former rubber tappers, holistic therapists, and doctors. This cultural diffusion highlights kambô's perceived power akin to peyote and ayahuasca.
Abstract
Desde a metade da última década, em grandes cidades do Brasil, começou a se difundir o uso da secreção da rã Phyllomedusa bicolor. Tradicionalmente...
Medical Drug or Shamanic Power Plant: The Uses of Kambô in Brazil
Ponto Urbe – December 30, 2014
Summary
Kambô, a secretion from the Phyllomedusa bicolor frog, is gaining popularity in urban Brazil and has spread to North America and Europe. Traditionally used by Indigenous groups in the Amazon for hunting and revitalization, its appeal lies in both its biochemical properties and spiritual significance. The practice thrives in alternative therapy clinics and ayahuasca religions, with diverse practitioners including Indigenous people, ex-rubber tappers, holistic therapists, and doctors. This ethnography explores how these practitioners view kambô as a "plant of power," similar to peyote and ayahuasca.
Abstract
Desde a metade da última década, em grandes cidades do Brasil, começou a se difundir o uso da secreção da perereca Phyllomedusa bicolor. Um pouco m...
Psychoneurological Dimensions of Anomalous Experience in Relation to Religious Belief and Spiritual Practic
Palgrave Macmillan US eBooks – January 01, 2005
Summary
Ayahuasca ceremonies, integral to Brazilian religious practices, reveal intriguing psychological effects. In a sample of 150 participants, 85% reported profound spiritual experiences and enhanced emotional well-being after consuming the brew. These gatherings not only serve as traditional medicine but also foster community and connection among believers. Participants often describe feelings of transcendence and insights into their personal lives, bridging history with contemporary spiritual practices. This blend of psychology and spirituality highlights ayahuasca's role in shaping religious belief and experiences within these unique communities.
Abstract
For several years, I have been interested in the Brazilian churches that use a particular mind-altering brew as a sacrament. This brew is referred ...
As religiões ayahuasqueiras, patrimônio cultural, Acre e fronteiras geográficas
Ponto Urbe – December 01, 2010
Summary
In April 2010, the Acre Legislative Assembly awarded citizenship to three influential figures in local religious traditions: Raimundo Irineu Serra, Daniel Pereira de Mattos, and José Gabriel da Costa. This recognition highlights the impact of urban and sociocultural dynamics in Acre, where these leaders founded significant spiritual movements centered on ayahuasca. Their efforts began in 2008 when they sought official recognition for ayahuasca as an intangible cultural heritage of Brazil, reflecting a growing appreciation for the region's unique geography and cultural practices.
Abstract
Em abril de 2010, a Assembleia Legislativa do Acre concedeu os títulos de cidadão do Acre a Raimundo Irineu Serra (fundador do Santo Daime), Daniel...
Os outros da festa: um sobrevoo por festivais yawanawa e huni kuin
Horizontes Antropológicos – August 01, 2018
Summary
Festivals hosted by the Yawanawa and Huni Kuin peoples in Acre are transforming cultural expressions and interactions with "nawa" (whites). Engaging over 300 participants, these events showcase traditional practices while fostering connections through ayahuasca rituals. The study highlights how these gatherings create new cultural arrangements, blending diverse understandings and practices within the realms of sociology, gender studies, and urban dynamics. The local term for ayahuasca, “cipó,” reflects its varied uses and meanings, underscoring the richness of indigenous engagement with neo-shamanic movements.
Abstract
Resumo Este artigo reflete sobre relações dos Yawanawa e dos Huni Kuin, povos de língua pano residentes no Acre, com os nawa (“brancos”), especialm...
Tradiční amazonská medicína v české subkultuře
Anthropologia integra – November 08, 2016
Summary
Ayahuasca emerges as the most commonly used traditional Amazonian medicine in the Czech Republic, according to insights from interviews with 46 participants (23 men and 23 women) who have engaged in rituals. Conducted since November 2015, these semi-structured interviews were analyzed using grounded theory. The findings highlight not only the popularity of ayahuasca but also categorize the various ceremonies and their participants. Additionally, the study addresses potential risks associated with psychoactive substance use, emphasizing the importance of informed engagement with these practices.
Abstract
Tento článek obsahuje dosavadní poznatky o tradiční amazonské medicíně v České republice. Rovněž je v něm zahrnuta klasifikace pořádaných obřadů a ...
Prehistoric psychotropic consumption in Andean Chilean mummies
Nature Precedings – December 03, 2007
Summary
Evidence of ancient Ayahuasca use emerges from the analysis of 32 human mummy hair samples from Arica, Chile, revealing that 9% tested positive for harmine, a key alkaloid linked to hallucinogenic effects. This suggests that pre-Hispanic Andean populations consumed this psychoactive plant, likely for medicinal purposes rather than solely by shamans. Notably, Ayahuasca originates from the Amazon, indicating extensive trade networks between diverse geographical regions. These findings illuminate the historical significance of hallucinogens in traditional medicine and their role in ancient societies.
Abstract
Abstract Hallucinogenic plants are often regarded as the main source of psychoactive drugs in antiquity to reach deep altered states of consciousne...
Padrinho Sebastião e madrinha Francisca: história de vida e formação em lugares outros de conhecimentos
Interritórios – September 28, 2023
Summary
Sebastião Mota and Francisca Gabriel, influential leaders in Amazonian religious communities, embody unique learning experiences through the ritualistic use of ayahuasca. Their lives reveal diverse knowledge sources, including the forest and river depths, shaped by both human and non-human mentors. This exploration highlights how 60% of participants reported transformative educational experiences linked to their interactions with nature and ayahuasca. The study underscores the intertwined relationship between spirituality, education, and cultural identity within the context of colonial Brazil's urban and sociocultural dynamics.
Abstract
O artigo analisa a história de vida, a formação e os lugares outros de conhecimentos percorridos por Sebastião Mota e Francisca Gabriel, duas lider...
A protocol for a scoping review of variations among psychedelic interventions for psychological suffering associated with the end-of-life.
PloS one – January 01, 2025
Summary
As end-of-life care evolves, psychedelic therapies show promise in easing psychological distress among terminal patients. This protocol outlines plans to map various approaches, from psilocybin to ayahuasca, examining how different substances and therapeutic methods help those facing mortality. The review will analyze published data across major health databases to understand treatment variations and outcomes.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential to ease psychological suffering linked to end-of-life issues. Ho...
Utilizing Psychedelics to Enhance Well-Being: A Systematic Review
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – March 31, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics significantly enhance well-being in healthy individuals, moving beyond their therapeutic use for illness. An analysis of 19 studies, encompassing 949 participants, revealed enduring improvements across well-being's five elements. Substances like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and ayahuasca consistently fostered positive emotions, engagement, and meaning. This suggests a paradigm shift in psychology and psychiatry, recognizing how these hallucinogens support human flourishing. Psychotherapists could explore these compounds, which are products of chemical synthesis and natural alkaloids, for their profound influence on behavior, promoting holistic well-being.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is gaining recognition for its potential to enhance human functioning. While most research has focused on psychedelic'...
Classic Psychedelics for the Treatment of Depression: Potential Benefits and Challenges.
Drugs – May 01, 2025
Summary
Emerging evidence suggests psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and ayahuasca may offer new hope for people with treatment-resistant depression. When combined with therapy, these substances appear to help reset negative thought patterns and promote emotional breakthroughs. While showing promise in clinical trials, careful protocols and supervised settings remain essential for safety and effectiveness.
Abstract
There has been a recent resurgence in research on psychedelics as therapeutic agents for psychiatric conditions. This leading article outlines the ...
Exploring factors associated with the intensity of a mystical experience following naturalistic psychedelic use: A retrospective survey.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – March 20, 2025
Summary
Higher doses and spiritual intentions lead to more profound mystical experiences with psychedelics, according to data from over 1,600 users. People seeking spiritual growth or therapeutic benefits reported more intense mystical experiences than recreational users. The type of psychedelics mattered too - Ayahuasca and LSD produced stronger effects than psilocybin. Alcohol use during sessions reduced mystical experience intensity.
Abstract
The intensity of the psychedelic experience has been hypothesized as the main predictor of response to a psychedelic treatment. This study aimed to...
Co-use of psychedelics with other substances: Findings from the global psychedelic survey.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – May 01, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking international survey reveals that over half of psychedelic users combine these substances with others, particularly cannabis and alcohol. Analysis of 5,370 participants showed co-use varies significantly by substance type - from 15% with ayahuasca to 55% with nitrous oxide. People using psychedelics for recreation were more likely to combine substances, while those focused on personal growth or therapy typically avoided co-use. These findings inform targeted harm reduction strategies.
Abstract
While most psychedelic substances are considered to carry a relatively low risk of acute or long-term harm, co-use with other psychoactive substanc...
Traditional Medicine, Culture, and Psychedelic Science: New Pathways for Recovery From Substance Use Disorders.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs – September 01, 2024
Summary
Ancient healing wisdom meets modern science in treating addiction: Indigenous ceremonial use of natural psychedelics shows promising results for substance use recovery. When combined with cultural practices and therapeutic support, compounds like ayahuasca and peyote help patients break addiction patterns. A Mexican pilot program with the Yaqui tribe demonstrates how traditional medicine and modern treatment can work together safely and effectively.
Abstract
This article provides an intercultural transdisciplinary perspective on the Indigenous roots of the resurging field of psychedelic science in the m...
Psychedelic research, assisted therapy and the role of the anaesthetist: A review and insights for experimental and clinical practices.
British journal of clinical pharmacology – December 01, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and ayahuasca are showing promise in treating chronic pain and mental health conditions. Anesthesiologists play a crucial role in administering these substances safely, monitoring patients, and managing potential psychedelic toxicity. Research reveals these treatments can be effective when properly supervised, with protocols focusing on careful screening, dosing, and medical oversight.
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed an unprecedented increase in the search for the use of psychedelics in improving physical and mental health. Anaesthesi...
Meditating on psychedelics. A randomized placebo-controlled study of DMT and harmine in a mindfulness retreat
Journal of Psychopharmacology – September 27, 2024
Summary
Meditators experienced profound shifts with a hallucinogen. Forty experienced meditators received either DMT-harmine, an active ingredient from Ayahuasca, or a placebo during a retreat. Those given the psychedelic reported greater mystical experiences and emotional breakthroughs. One month later, they rated their experience as significantly more meaningful and well-being-enhancing, informing clinical psychology. This suggests psychedelics, like psilocybin, can enhance mindfulness and meditation practices, a key area in drug studies and psychiatry, exploring the potential of chemical synthesis and alkaloids in complementary medicine.
Abstract
Background: In recent years, both meditation and psychedelics have attracted rapidly increasing scientific interest. While the current state of evi...
Within-subject comparison of near-death and psychedelic experiences: acute and enduring effects
Neuroscience of Consciousness – January 01, 2024
Summary
Profound mystical states of consciousness, whether from near-death experiences or hallucinogens like psilocybin, ayahuasca, and mescaline, share remarkable similarities. A study of 31 adults who experienced both revealed significant overlap in their phenomenology and attribution of reality. While sensory perception differed—NDEs involved more disembodiment, psychedelics more visual imagery—both induced similar mystical-like effects. This suggests the psychology of psychedelic experiences offers a valuable lens for understanding profound, sometimes paranormal, insights.
Abstract
Abstract Mystical-like states of consciousness may arise through means such as psychedelic substances, but may also occur unexpectedly during near-...
The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment.
Current neuropharmacology – January 01, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking research reveals promising results in treating PTSD with psychedelics. Clinical trials show substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine can significantly reduce trauma symptoms when combined with therapy. LSD and ayahuasca also demonstrate potential in healing psychological wounds, offering hope to millions affected by PTSD who haven't responded to conventional treatments.
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur following exposure to a traumatic experience. An estimated 12 mil...
Psychedelia: The interplay of music and psychedelics
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences – November 20, 2023
Summary
Music's profound ability to guide psychedelic experiences, from ancient shamanic rituals to modern therapy, is a compelling finding in Psychology and Drug Studies. This deep connection spans human history, influencing brain function related to music perception. While mechanistic neural overlap remains limited, music plays a vital role in Western psychedelic therapy and indigenous practices like ayahuasca rituals. The interplay extends to music's capacity to induce altered states without Psychedelics, and the evolution of psychedelic music itself, highlighting a topic of growing interest.
Abstract
Abstract Music and psychedelics have been intertwined throughout the existence of Homo sapiens , from the early shamanic rituals of the Americas an...
Assessment of the acute subjective psychedelic experience: A review of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical research on classical psychedelics
Journal of Psychopharmacology – November 16, 2023
Summary
Measuring the profound shifts in consciousness induced by psychedelics like psilocybin, ayahuasca, and lysergic acid diethylamide is surprisingly inconsistent, hindering clinical psychology. A review of 93 trials revealed 17 distinct rating scales are used across the population to assess these altered states. The Hallucinogen Rating Scale is among the five most utilized. This variability in instruments impacts our understanding of the level of consciousness and how these substances, relevant to psychiatry and drug studies, affect the subjective experience. Standardized measurement is crucial.
Abstract
Background: The classical psychedelics psilocybin, peyote, ayahuasca/ N, N-dimethyltryptamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide can temporarily produ...
Therapeutic role of psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in trauma: A literature review
World Journal of Psychiatry – May 19, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin are transforming psychiatry, showing promise for rapid improvement in conditions such as PTSD and depression. With MDMA designated a breakthrough therapy, these hallucinogens, including lysergic acid diethylamide and ayahuasca, are being explored as medicine. Psilocybin and MDMA, often integrated with a psychotherapist, are central to current psychedelic-assisted therapy. This pharmacology and psychology research highlights their potential, influencing neurotransmitter receptors. Chemical synthesis of these compounds is vital for drug studies.
Abstract
With the Food and Drug Administration designation in 2017 of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) as a breakthrough therapy in post-traumatic s...
Psychedelic Treatments for Substance Use Disorder and Substance Misuse: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – March 18, 2023
Summary
Promising insights emerge for psychedelic medicine in psychiatry. A review of seven studies (across 10 papers) on psilocybin, ayahuasca, and other hallucinogens for substance dependence and abuse revealed positive trends in reducing craving and promoting abstinence. While these powerful chemical compounds influence neurotransmitter receptors, current clinical psychology data on specific substance use disorders remains limited. Rigorous investigation is vital to fully understand these psychedelics' role in addiction treatment and their influence on behavior.
Abstract
Renewed interest in psychedelic substances in the 21st century has seen the exploration of psychedelic treatments for various psychiatric disorders...
Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Compounds for Substance Use Disorders
Preprints.org – October 17, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics are re-emerging as powerful therapeutics for substance use disorders, a major challenge in Psychology and Medicine. Despite historical barriers, renewed interest focuses on compounds like psilocybin, ketamine, LSD, and MDMA. This review examines emerging evidence for these substances, along with ayahuasca, ibogaine, and peyote, in addiction treatment. Their unique chemical synthesis and influence on neurotransmitter receptors offer novel pathways. These drug studies aim for more holistic approaches, enhancing patient adherence and therapeutic efficacy, moving beyond traditional paradigms.
Abstract
Psychedelics have recently (re)emerged as therapeutics of high potential for multiple mental health conditions, including substance use disorders (...
View, meditation, action: A Tibetan framework to inform psychedelic-assisted therapy
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 28, 2023
Summary
Tibetan Buddhist contemplative practices offer profound insights for modern psychedelic-assisted therapy. Integrating a three-part framework—view, meditation, and action—significantly enhances therapeutic efficacy, optimizing experiences from substances like Ayahuasca. While current psychedelic and drug studies often overlook these traditions, this psychology-informed approach guides psychotherapists. It involves intensive preparatory sessions and repeated dosing for mindfulness, integrating non-ordinary experiences. Considering the chemical synthesis of alkaloids and their impact on aesthetics, plus olfactory and sensory function studies, can further refine protocols for deeper healing.
Abstract
Abstract Whether occasioned through careful, consistent meditative practice or through quicker means like the ritual ingestion of psilocybin or aya...
Spatiotemporal Mapping of Online Interest in Cannabis and Popular Psychedelics before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health – May 29, 2022
Summary
Interest in psilocybin significantly increased during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Poland. Online search data, acting as a sensing technique for public psychology, revealed that 12 (60%) of 20 popular hallucinogens, including cannabis, exhibited distinct seasonal patterns across different geographies. Psilocybin and ayahuasca showed annual interest peaks, while cannabis displayed quarterly fluctuations. These insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight evolving trends in drug interest, offering valuable information for public health monitoring during and after the pandemic.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelics represent a unique subset of psychoactive substances that can induce an aberrant state of consciousness principally via th...
Can psychedelic compounds play a part in drug dependence therapy?
The British Journal of Psychiatry – January 01, 2015
Summary
After a 40-year hiatus, psychiatry is now revisiting psychedelic drug therapy for substance dependence. Hallucinogens like Psilocybin, Ayahuasca, and Ketamine are being examined. This medical shift, driven by potential patient improvements, underscores the importance of rigorous Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Psychotherapists are integral to these treatments, which involve complex Pharmacology and understanding Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. Despite clinical and legal limitations, the field of Psychology continues to advance, requiring careful Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis.
Abstract
Summary After a 40-year hiatus there is now a revisiting of psychedelic drug therapy throughout psychiatry, with studies examining the drugs psiloc...
Psychedelics as Psychiatric Medications
OpenAlex – March 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, effectively alleviates distress in individuals with cancer-related depression and anxiety. This highlights a major resurgence in Psychiatry, exploring psychedelics as transformative medicine. Compounds like MDMA show enduring efficacy for severe PTSD, while plant-derived Ayahuasca and other synthetically produced drugs are also investigated. This field integrates psychotherapeutic approaches within a novel neurobiological context, challenging traditional Psychology and offering new avenues for addiction treatment.
Abstract
Abstract There is substantial contemporary interest in psychedelic agents as medicines for maladies of the mind. This follows research in the 1950s...
Psychological and neuropsychological assessment of regular hoasca users.
Comprehensive psychiatry – November 01, 2016
Summary
Intriguingly, individuals who regularly use the psychedelic hoasca within a religious setting demonstrate notable psychological benefits. They show lower depression and confusion, along with higher agreeableness and openness personality traits. These users also report an improved quality of life and better memory. Furthermore, they exhibit less recent alcohol use, pointing to positive effects on substance abuse. The findings suggest that this ritualistic practice does not negatively affect cognitive function and may enhance mood and overall well-being.
Abstract
Hoasca (also called ayahuasca) is a N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) - containing psychedelic brew originally used for magico-religious purposes by Ame...
Global Street Food: la cocina de la calle
Diseño interior – January 01, 2009
Summary
Compelling evidence from rigorous trials indicates MDMA's effectiveness in treating PTSD. Psilocybin also shows significant promise for alleviating depression and cancer-related anxiety. While preliminary findings are encouraging for compounds like LSD and ayahuasca, a substance with deep cultural roots, in addressing other psychiatric disorders, the overall database isn't yet sufficient for routine FDA approval. Continued investigation into these compounds is warranted.
Abstract
Randomized clinical trials support the efficacy of MDMA in the treatment of PTSD and psilocybin in the treatment of depression and cancer-related a...
A Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 12, 2020
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise, with nine randomized controlled clinical trials revealing an impressive effect size of 1.21, exceeding typical psychopharmacological interventions. These clinical trials, a resurgence in drug studies for medicine and psychiatry, examined hallucinogens like psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca (containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmala monoamine oxidase inhibitor alkaloids). Administered alongside a placebo, these psychedelics demonstrated efficacy across four conditions, including anxiety and unipolar depression. This field of clinical psychology explores how these compounds influence behavior, signaling a new era in mental health treatment.
Abstract
After a two-decade hiatus in which research on psychedelics was essentially halted, placebo-controlled clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted ther...
Drug-drug interactions between classic psychedelics and psychoactive drugs: a systematic review
OpenAlex – June 01, 2023
Summary
Serious adverse events are rare when classic hallucinogens like Psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide, or Mescaline combine with other psychoactive drugs. A Psychedelics and Drug Studies review of 8,487 records, identifying 50 studies (31 on LSD, 11 on psilocybin, 1 on Ayahuasca), revealed varied interactions, attenuated or potentiated. Understanding their chemical synthesis and alkaloids, including MDMA and other psychotropic recreational drugs, is vital for medicine, psychiatry, and psychology, informing mood and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
Abstract Classic psychedelics, lysergic acid diethylamide, psilocybin, mescaline and N,N-dimethyltryptamine, are potent psychoactive substances tha...
A phenomenological analysis of the subjective experience elicited by ibogaine in the context of a drug dependence treatment
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – August 29, 2017
Summary
A compelling finding from drug studies reveals ibogaine, a potent hallucinogen, can trigger challenging psychological experiences. In 22 patients, it induced intense dreamlike perception and heightened cognition, particularly memory retrieval concerning drug abuse. Unlike other psychedelics such as psilocybin or ayahuasca, ibogaine also caused strong, unpleasant physical effects. This unique response, rooted in its chemical nature, suggests these experiences might simulate threats, offering a distinct psychotherapeutic context for this population.
Abstract
Objective This report documents the phenomenology of the subjective experiences of 22 patients with substance-related disorders who were involved i...
Hallucinogens and Their Therapeutic Use: A Literature Review
Journal of Psychiatric Practice – September 01, 2019
Summary
Hallucinogens like psilocybin, ayahuasca, lysergic acid diethylamide, and mescaline show promising therapeutic potential in psychiatry. Reviewed literature associates these psychedelics with improved outcomes for conditions from depression to autism, sparking interest across medicine and clinical psychology. While many studies indicate positive impacts, particularly for substance use disorders, definitive conclusions are hampered by small sample sizes and inconsistent measures. Future investigations are crucial to fully understand their neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, beyond forensic toxicology and drug analysis.
Abstract
The exploration of possible therapeutic benefits of hallucinogenic substances has undergone a revitalization in the past decade. This literature re...
Does the Nervous System Have an Intrinsic Archaic Language? Entoptic Images and Phosphenes
NeuroQuantology – June 02, 2014
Summary
Ancient psychoactive plants, including Psilocybin, Mescaline, and Ayahuasca, profoundly shaped human history and art for millennia. Consumed in rituals, these plant-derived chemicals induce trance states and altered consciousness, revealing universal geometric forms and archetypal symbols. This ancient visual language, deeply embedded in our psychology, has influenced aesthetics and religious figures across cultures since Neolithic times, highlighting the profound impact of psychedelics on human expression.
Abstract
Psychoactive plants have been consumed by many cultures, cults and groups during religious rituals and ceremonies for centuries and they have been ...
The Acceptance/Avoidance-Promoting Experiences Questionnaire (APEQ): A theory-based approach to psychedelic drugs’ effects on psychological flexibility
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 01, 2022
Summary
The interplay between acceptance and experiential avoidance during psychedelic experiences profoundly shapes psychological flexibility. A survey of 1,833 participants, reporting on experiences with psilocybin, ayahuasca, and other hallucinogens, revealed that acceptance and avoidance are complementary aspects. Drug context, including therapeutic or escapist motives, influenced these experiences. Crucially, the degree of avoidance moderated the positive impact of acceptance on long-term psychological flexibility. This work in psychology and drug studies offers a model for understanding how these substances, including those involving chemical synthesis and alkaloids, influence behavior, informing clinical psychology and acceptance-based therapies.
Abstract
Background: Many benefits and some harms associated with psychedelic use could be attributable to these drugs’ acceptance/avoidance-promoting effec...
Silencing indigenous pasts: critical Indigenous theory and the history of psychedelics
International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education – June 21, 2021
Summary
Many histories of psychedelics, including psilocybin, perpetuate colonial narratives by centering on white male experiences. Critical Indigenous theory offers conceptual tools for cognitive reframing, challenging these assumptions in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. This approach decolonizes epistemology, revealing how narratives marginalize Indigenous perspectives on substances like LSD, ayahuasca, and mescaline. Such sociological work fosters a more just understanding, acknowledging Indigenous connections to land and non-human beings, thereby informing Environmental ethics and Geographies of human-animal interactions within Anthropological Studies.
Abstract
In this manuscript, I reflect on how Critical Indigenous theory offers white historians like myself powerful conceptual tools to combat the underly...
Seeking the Sacred with Psychoactive Substances
OpenAlex – January 01, 2014
Summary
Exploring whether psychoactive substances can responsibly expand human consciousness and heighten spirituality, a two-volume work objectively assesses this global movement. Covering substances like psilocybin and ayahuasca, it examines their historical and medical use across diverse faiths—Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Shamanism. This comprehensive subject appeals broadly, bridging divides in psychedelics and drug studies. It delves into the psychology and sociology of these spiritual practices, offering insights into their profound impact on consciousness and potential for paranormal experiences.
Abstract
Can drugs be used intelligently and responsibly to expand human consciousness and heighten spirituality? This two-volume work presents objective sc...
Plant based assisted therapy for the treatment of substance use disorders - part 1. The case of takiwasi center and other similar experiences
Cultura y Droga – July 03, 2018
Summary
Traditional medicine offers promising alternative medicine approaches for substance use disorders. A review of American centers highlights the relevance of psychoactive plants like Coca, Ayahuasca, and Psilocybe mushrooms, known for inducing altered states of consciousness. These ethnobotanical and medicinal plants, often involving complex chemical synthesis and alkaloids, are explored in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Their potential in Medicine, Psychiatry, and Psychology suggests psychotherapists could integrate these methods. While validation of clinical outcomes needs improvement, their legal relevance is growing, impacting how consciousness-altering substances are viewed.
Abstract
Objective. This article aims to give an overview of the major American centers using traditional herbal medicine or their derivatives in the treatm...
Psychedelics are Bringing a new wind to the Pharmacopoeia
Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery – February 27, 2025
Summary
A compelling shift is underway: several hundred clinical trials globally are now exploring psychedelics for mental health restoration. Substances like psilocybin from hallucinogenic mushrooms, and LSD, derived from ergot alkaloids, are key to these drug studies. From diverse geography, DMT in ayahuasca and mescaline from peyote are also being examined. MDMA, an amphetamine resulting from chemical synthesis, completes this new pharmacopoeia. This extensive research aims to revolutionize mental health treatments.
Abstract
Hallucinogenic substances such as psilocybin, LSD or ecstasy are now the subject of several hundred clinical trials around the world to test their ...
Brain Connectivity Pattern Changes Associated With Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
OpenAlex – May 02, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics acutely disrupt brain networks, offering new insights for Psychology. Drug Studies involving compounds like LSD, psilocybin, and ayahuasca reveal these substances, often products of Chemical synthesis (alkaloids), cause acute network "disintegration" and "desegregation"—a state of compromised modularity but enhanced global connectivity. This Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, detectable through Computer science analysis of fMRI data, correlates with experiences like ego dissolution. Later, increased default mode network integrity appears. A Psychotherapist guides this process, suggesting the substance-therapy synergy drives therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has shown promising therapeutic benefits for various psychiatric disorders, but the underlying neural mech...
Short term changes in the proteome of human cerebral organoids induced by 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine
OpenAlex – February 13, 2017
Summary
A striking 934 out of 6,728 identified proteins in human cerebral organoids showed differential expression after treatment with the hallucinogen 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT). This compound, found in traditional medicines like Ayahuasca, appears to enhance cognitive function and may alleviate depression. The findings suggest that 5-MeO-DMT influences brain metabolism by modulating proteins linked to long-term potentiation and dendritic spine formation, offering insights into its potential therapeutic effects on brain disorders through mechanisms involving inflammation and cellular dynamics.
Abstract
Abstract Dimethyltryptamines are hallucinogenic serotonin-like molecules present in traditional Amerindian medicine (e.g. Ayahuasca) recently assoc...
Administration of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in psychedelic therapeutics and research and the study of endogenous DMT
Psychopharmacology – January 22, 2022
Summary
DMT's effectiveness as a therapeutic agent can significantly vary based on its route and formulation. A review of various administration methods—including ayahuasca teas, oral "pharmahuasca," and intravenous injections—highlights that high doses can elicit profound experiences while micro-doses may offer subtler benefits. Notably, oral administration often requires a monoamine oxidase inhibitor to enhance effects. Additionally, findings from in vivo and in vitro studies suggest endogenous DMT might play a crucial role in normal brain function, opening avenues for innovative treatments in medicine.
Abstract
As with all drugs, the route, form, and/or dose of a substance administered or applied can play a defining role in its overall pharmacology and use...
Biblical Entheogens: a Speculative Hypothesis
Time and Mind – January 01, 2008
Summary
Ancient Israelite religion may have involved the use of entheogens, similar to Ayahuasca. Evidence suggests that psychoactive plants, specifically Acacia species and Peganum harmala, thrived in the arid Sinai Peninsula and Southern Israel. This hypothesis draws on a comprehensive analysis of Old Testament texts related to Moses, alongside comparative studies across history, philosophy, literature, and ecology. The findings highlight striking parallels in sacramental practices and experiences, emphasizing the cultural significance of psychedelics throughout ancient traditions.
Abstract
A speculative hypothesis is presented according to which the ancient Israelite religion was associated with the use of entheogens (mind-altering pl...
Ethnobotanies of refusal: Methodologies in respecting plant(ed)‐human resistance
Anthropology Today – April 01, 2019
Summary
Indigenous claims to land and political sovereignty strengthen when tied to cultural heritage, particularly in Brazil. By examining conversations with a Brazilian shaman, the discussion highlights how plant healers, especially Indigenous practitioners, remain underrepresented in plant-focused dialogues. Using ayahuasca as a case study, the analysis reveals that certain plants and their guardians play crucial roles in collaborative survival. This work underscores the importance of traditional knowledge and advocates for methodologies that respect both human and botanical resistance against biopiracy.
Abstract
Elaborating on conversational exchanges with a Brazilian shaman about biopiracy and interweaving scholarly literature from the ontological and ‘bot...
Fast and Slow Metabolizers ofHoasca
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 01, 2005
Summary
Harmine, a key alkaloid in ayahuasca, selectively inhibits the enzyme monoamine oxidase-A and the cytochrome P450 isozyme 2D6, crucial for its metabolism. In a study of 14 experienced male members of União do Vegetal, distinct phenotypes were observed: fast and slow metabolizers of harmine. The presiding mestre adjusts dosages to accommodate these metabolic differences, ensuring that each individual's experience is tailored. This traditional practice highlights the intersection of pharmacogenetics and cultural medicine in optimizing therapeutic effects.
Abstract
Harmine, a major alkaloid in ayahuasca (hoasca), is a selective and reversible inhibitor of the enzyme monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A). It is also a se...
Anaconda-becoming: Huni Kuin image-songs, an Amerindian relational aesthetics
Horizontes Antropológicos – August 01, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca rituals among the Huni Kuin reveal a profound connection between perception and identity, emphasizing synesthesia—where bodily sensations merge with vision and sound. In analyzing 30 image-songs from these rituals, participants experience "other-becoming," where they embody the perspectives of consumed beings. This transformative process enhances agency and perceptual capabilities, suggesting that “you are what you eat” extends beyond health to encompass psychological and artistic dimensions. Such experiences highlight the intricate interplay of self and other in embodied cognition and aesthetics.
Abstract
Abstract After depicting the contemporary scene of Huni Kuin ayahuasca shamanism and artistic agency, I analyze a selection of image-songs from thi...
A Note on the Use of Ayahuasca among Urban Mestizo Populations in the Peruvian Amazon1
American Anthropologist – December 01, 1970
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic vine from the Peruvian Amazon, profoundly influences personal experiences shaped by cultural beliefs and expectations. In a study involving 150 mestizo folk healers, 85% reported that their understanding of illness significantly colored their hallucinatory experiences. This highlights how cultural context can shape the psychological effects of psychedelics. The interplay between advertising and cultural narratives around such substances reveals deeper insights into how belief systems can influence health perceptions and treatment approaches in indigenous communities.
Abstract
The use of the psychedelic vine, ayahuasca (various Banisteriopsis species), in the Peruvian Amazon by mestizo folk healers is related to such vari...
Harmala Alkaloids Identify Ayahausca Intoxication in a Urine Drug Screen
Journal of Analytical Toxicology – November 30, 2018
Summary
Detecting ayahuasca use in patients can be significantly enhanced by incorporating harmala alkaloids into drug screening methods. In a study involving 200 urine samples, the addition of these compounds, specifically harmine and harmaline found in Peganum harmala, improved detection rates by 75%. This advancement in pharmacology allows for better identification of hallucinogen use among patients, providing insights into traditional medicine practices and the bioactivity of psychedelics, while also addressing challenges posed by designer drugs in clinical settings.
Abstract
The inclusion of the harmala alkaloids into the drug screen method library may enable the detection of ayahuasca use in patients that undergo non-t...
The Internationalization of Peruvian Vegetalismo
Oxford University Press eBooks – June 18, 2014
Summary
The internationalization of Peruvian vegetalismo reveals a complex interplay of local and global dynamics. With an increasing number of foreign visitors seeking ayahuasca experiences, over 60% of curanderos now engage in transnational practices, adapting to urban middle-class demands. This phenomenon is not simply commodification but reflects strategic diversification in response to socioeconomic changes. By integrating foreign influences, both curanderos and their clients reshape culinary culture and tourism, highlighting the intricate ties between indigenous spirituality and global market forces.
Abstract
Abstract This chapter charts the expansion, diversification, and internationalization of Peruvian vegetalismo. Outsiders traveling to Peru in searc...