Among people who reported quitting or reducing smoking after drinking ayahuasca, those who had a stronger mystical experience and took ayahuasca more frequently were more likely to quit entirely rather than just reduce or relapse. Positive mood during the experience was associated with a higher risk of relapse. The findings suggest that ayahuasca may help with smoking cessation, possibly through mystical-type experiences.
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic used in ritual contexts and by Brazilian syncretic religions, may help reduce or stop tobacco smoking. In a survey of 451 people who used ayahuasca, 78% (351) reported not currently smoking. Most participants (89%, 400) attended ayahuasca sessions without the specific intention to quit smoking; their motivations were self-knowledge, spiritual concerns, healing, or curiosity. The reduction or cessation of smoking appeared as an unintended consequence, suggesting that ayahuasca experiences can contribute to changes in addictive behaviors.