Associations between ayahuasca consumption in naturalistic settings and current alcohol and drug use: Results of a large international cross-sectional survey
In a large international cross‑sectional survey of 8,629 ayahuasca consumers, greater lifetime ayahuasca use in naturalistic settings was associated with lower current alcohol and other drug consumption, with stronger effects among those with prior substance use disorders. Stronger subjective spiritual experiences, personal insights and drinking within ayahuasca churches were also linked to reduced substance use, and associations persisted after adjusting for religious or social group membership.
Authors
- Luiz Tófoli
- Nathalia Galvão-Coelho
- Daniel Perkins
Published
Abstract
Introduction
Emerging evidence suggests that psychedelic compounds, including the Amazonian botanical decoction ayahuasca, may provide clinical benefit in the treatment of alcohol or other drug use disorders. This study investigates associations between ayahuasca consumption in naturalistic settings and current alcohol and other drug use.
Methods
Online cross‐sectional study of people who have consumed ayahuasca in religious, traditional and non‐traditional settings in over 40 countries. A total of 8629 participants (53% male, average age 40 years) were included in the analysis. Logistic regressions were used to explore associations between ayahuasca drinking variables and the current use of alcohol and other drugs, as well as the influence of confounding factors, such as church or community membership.
Results
The number of times ayahuasca had been consumed was strongly associated with increased odds of never or rarely drinking alcohol, never or rarely engaging in ‘risky drinking’ and having not consumed a range of drugs in the past month, with these effects greater for those with a prior substance use disorder compared to those without. The strength of ayahuasca drinkers subjective spiritual experience, number of personal self‐insights obtained and drinking ayahuasca with an ayahuasca church were also associated with lower substance use in some models.Discussion and ConclusionsConsumption of ayahuasca in naturalistic settings is associated with lower self‐reported current consumption of alcohol and other drugs for those with and without prior substance use disorders, with such effects present after adjusting for religious or social group effects.
Research Summary of 'Associations between ayahuasca consumption in naturalistic settings and current alcohol and drug use: Results of a large international cross-sectional survey'
Introduction
Interest in classic psychedelics for mental health and addiction treatment has resurged, with preliminary evidence for therapeutic effects of substances such as psilocybin, MDMA and ayahuasca. Earlier clinical and historical studies — including older LSD trials and recent pilot work with psilocybin and MDMA — suggest potential benefits for substance use disorders, and smaller observational studies and surveys of ayahuasca drinkers have reported reductions in problematic alcohol and drug use alongside improvements in wellbeing. Proposed biological mechanisms for ayahuasca include modulation of serotonergic, dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems via 5-HT2A receptor interactions, sigma-1 and trace amine-associated receptor activity by DMT, and anti-addictive effects of harmala alkaloids; psychotherapeutic processes such as self-insight and the intensity of the acute spiritual or mystical experience are also implicated, as are social or religious contexts in which ayahuasca is consumed. Perkins and colleagues used data from the Global Ayahuasca Project to examine associations between naturalistic ayahuasca consumption and current alcohol and other drug use. The study aimed to determine whether aspects of ayahuasca use (frequency, recentness, subjective spiritual/mystical experience, number of self-insights, drinking context such as church membership) are associated with lower current substance use, and whether these associations differ for people with and without prior alcohol or drug use disorders. The investigators emphasised the value of a large, international online sample for accessing a hidden population and for exploring potential correlates relevant to future clinical trials.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compound
- Topic
- Authors
- APA Citation
Perkins, D., Opaleye, E. S., Simonova, H., Bouso, J. C., Tófoli, L. F., GalvÃo‐Coelho, N. L., Schubert, V., & Sarris, J. (2022). Associations between ayahuasca consumption in naturalistic settings and current alcohol and drug use: Results of a large international cross-sectional survey. Drug and Alcohol Review, 41(1), 265-274. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13348
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