A quantitative textual analysis of the subjective effects of ayahuasca in naïve users with and without depression.
Lucas Cruz, Bheatrix Bienemann, Fernanda Palhano-Fontes, Luís Fernando Tófoli, Draulio B Araujo, Daniel C Mograbi
Scientific reports November 10, 2023 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44193-5 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAyahuasca, a psychoactive brew used as an entheogen for centuries, is being investigated as a treatment for clinical disorders. This study analyzed open-ended descriptions from nine people with treatment-resistant depression and twenty healthy controls after their first ayahuasca experience. Using quantitative textual analysis, five clusters emerged: altered consciousness, cognitive changes, somatic alterations, auditory experiences, and visual content. People with depression reported more aversive bodily reactions. The findings align with known psychedelic experience patterns and may guide therapeutic use of ayahuasca.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Qualitative study with quantitative textual analysis of open-ended responses from a previous clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 29 |
| Population | Nine patients with treatment-resistant depression and twenty healthy individuals |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Mental health Consciousness research Ayahuasca therapy Ethnobotany |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | The analysis identified five clusters of subjective experience after ayahuasca consumption, with people with depression reporting increased aversive bodily reactions. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a brew with psychoactive properties that has been used as an entheogen for centuries, with more recent studies suggesting it is a promising treatment for some clinical disorders. Although there is an emerging scientific literature on its effects, to the best of our knowledge no study has explored the self-reported experiences of first-time ayahuasca users with quantitative textual analysis tools. Accordingly, the current study aimed to analyze the subjective experience of naive individuals with depression and healthy controls after consuming ayahuasca. For this purpose, responses from a subsample of participants from a previous clinical trial to open-ended questions regarding their experience with ayahuasca underwent textual analysis. Data from nine patients with treatment-resistant depression and 20 healthy individuals were included, and quantitative textual analysis was performed using IRaMuTeQ 0.7 alpha 2 and R 3.1.2. The analysis identified five clusters: alterations in the state of consciousness, cognitive changes, somatic alterations, auditory experiences, and visual perceptual content. Additionally, findings suggest specific features of the experience of people with depression with ayahuasca, such as increased aversive bodily reactions. The results are consistent with previous findings indicating central axes of the psychedelic experience, and may inform therapeutic approaches using ayahuasca.