An exploratory study of experiences with conventional eating disorder treatment and ceremonial ayahuasca for the healing of eating disorders
This interview study (n=13) suggests that ayahuasca could be an effective therapeutic tool for eating disorders (EDs). The themes identified were 1) rapid reduction in ED thoughts and symptoms, 2) healing at the perceived root cause, 3) help process painful feelings and memories, 4) greater self-love and self-acceptance, and 5) activated spiritual elements of healing.
Authors
- Adele Lafrance
- Kenneth Tupper
- Anja Loizaga-Velder
Published
Abstract
Purpose
Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazonian medicine that is currently being researched for its potential in treating a variety of mental disorders. This article reports on exploratory qualitative research relating to participant experiences with ceremonial ayahuasca drinking and conventional treatment for eating disorders (EDs). It also explores the potential for ayahuasca as an adjunctive ED treatment.
Methods
Thirteen individuals previously diagnosed with an ED participated in a semi-structured interview contrasting their experiences with conventional ED treatment with experiences from ceremonial ayahuasca. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results
Participant reports were organized with key themes including that ayahuasca: led to rapid reductions in ED thoughts and symptoms; allowed for the healing of the perceived root of the ED; helped to process painful feelings and memories; supported the internalization of greater self-love and self-acceptance; and catalyzed spiritual elements of healing.
Conclusions
The results suggest that ayahuasca may have potential as a valuable therapeutic tool, and further research-including carefully controlled clinical trials-is warranted.
Research Summary of 'An exploratory study of experiences with conventional eating disorder treatment and ceremonial ayahuasca for the healing of eating disorders'
Introduction
Eating disorders (EDs) are serious, often chronic psychiatric illnesses with high morbidity and mortality and only modest outcomes from current treatments, which are marked by high relapse and dropout rates. Earlier research has called for novel approaches and for looking beyond Western modalities; preliminary qualitative work has suggested that ceremonial ayahuasca drinking might be associated with reductions in ED symptoms, improved emotion processing and greater self-love. Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazonian psychoactive brew (containing DMT plus monoamine-oxidase inhibiting beta-carbolines) now used in ceremonial and therapeutic contexts worldwide, and recent neuroscientific and clinical interest has focused on its potential to catalyse rapid and sustained psychological change. Renelli and colleagues set out to explore, using qualitative methods, how people with diagnosed EDs compare their experiences of conventional ED treatments with their experiences of ceremonial ayahuasca drinking. The study aimed to identify perceived therapeutic mechanisms, benefits and risks as reported by participants, and to generate hypotheses about whether and how ayahuasca might serve as an adjunct to established ED care and merit further controlled investigation.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compound
- Topic
- Authors
- APA Citation
Renelli, M., Fletcher, J., Tupper, K. W., Files, N., Loizaga-Velder, A., & Lafrance, A. (2020). An exploratory study of experiences with conventional eating disorder treatment and ceremonial ayahuasca for the healing of eating disorders. Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 25(2), 437-444. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-018-0619-6
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