Exploring the therapeutic potential of Ayahuasca: acute intake increases mindfulness-related capacities

Ayahuasca, a psychotropic plant tea containing DMT and β-carboline alkaloids, increases mindfulness capacities within 24 hours of a single session. In 25 individuals, ayahuasca significantly reduced judgmental processing of experiences and inner reactivity, as measured by the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire, and increased decentering ability, as measured by the Experiences Questionnaire. These changes match those seen after extensive mindfulness practice and support the tea's therapeutic potential, particularly for addiction and depression.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BackgroundAyahuasca is a psychotropic plant tea used for ritual purposes by the indigenous populations of the Amazon. In the last two decades, its use has expanded worldwide. The tea contains the psychedelic 5-HT2A receptor agonist N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), plus β-carboline alkaloids with monoamine-oxidase-inhibiting properties. Acute administration induces an introspective dream-like experience characterized by visions and autobiographic and emotional memories. Studies of long-term users have suggested its therapeutic potential, reporting that its use has helped individuals abandon the consumption of addictive drugs. Furthermore, recent open-label studies in patients with treatment-resistant depression found that a single ayahuasca dose induced a rapid antidepressant effect that was maintained weeks after administration. Here, we conducted an exploratory study of the psychological mechanisms that could underlie the beneficial effects of ayahuasca.MethodsWe assessed a group of 25 individuals before and 24 h after an ayahuasca session using two instruments designed to measure mindfulness capacities: The Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ).ResultsAyahuasca intake led to significant increases in two facets of the FFMQ indicating a reduction in judgmental processing of experiences and in inner reactivity. It also led to a significant increase in decentering ability as measured by the EQ. These changes are classic goals of conventional mindfulness training, and the scores obtained are in the range of those observed after extensive mindfulness practice.ConclusionsThe present findings support the claim that ayahuasca has therapeutic potential and suggest that this potential is due to an increase in mindfulness capacities.