The Use, Role, and Function of Music During Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) with Ayahuasca: A Scoping Review Protocol

Music is considered crucial during ayahuasca experiences, yet its use in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) lacks systematization and is poorly explored in scientific literature. This scoping review aims to provide a state of the art on the use, role, and function of music during PAT with ayahuasca. Following JBI methodology, the review will search multiple databases without year restrictions and include published literature in English, Spanish, and Portuguese that conceptualizes, defines, or describes music's role in PAT sessions with ayahuasca. Findings will be presented narratively, with a potential theoretical framework outlined for future research and clinical practice.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objective: To provide a state of the art on the use, role, and function of music during psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with ayahuasca. Introduction: Ayahuasca is a medicinal brew with psychoactive qualities used by indigenous communities throughout the Amazon region, and music is deemed crucial during ayahuasca experiences. In PAT, music forms part of the set and setting, but it lacks systematization and is poorly explored in the scientific literature. Inclusion criteria: Published literature in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, focusing on conceptualizing, defining, or describing the use, role, and/or function of music in PAT sessions with ayahuasca. Methods: This review follows the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. We will search Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases without year restrictions, and a hand search of articles will be performed. Two reviewers will assess titles/abstracts, followed by independent reviews of included full texts. An Excel data extraction sheet will be used to tabulate the information. The findings will be presented narratively, including respective tables or figures. If feasible, a potential theoretical framework for the use, role, and function of music during PAT with ayahuasca will be outlined, including implications for future research and clinical practice.