Ayahuasca-assisted therapy for addiction: results from a preliminary observational study in Canada
This observational study (n=12) investigated the impact of ayahuasca-assisted group therapy within the context of a retreat ceremony, on self-reported and qualitative measures of mental health and addiction. Participants exhibited improved mindfulness, personal empowerment, and hopefulness, and reported less frequent use of cocaine, alcohol, and tobacco up to 4 weeks after the ceremony. Their intake of cannabis, sedatives, and opiates (e.g. methadone) did not change, however, these were not identified as the substances of primary concern by the majority of participants.
Authors
- Philippe Lucas
- Kenneth Tupper
Published
Abstract
Introduction
This paper reports results from a preliminary observational study of ayahuasca-assisted treatment for problematic substance use and stress delivered in a rural First Nations community in British Columbia, Canada.
Methods
The “Working with Addiction and Stress” retreats combined four days of group counselling with two expert-led ayahuasca ceremonies. This study collected pre-treatment and six months follow-up data from 12 participants on several psychological and behavioral factors related to problematic substance use, and qualitative data assessing the personal experiences of the participants six months after the retreat.
Results
Statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements were demonstrated for scales assessing hopefulness, empowerment, mindfulness, and quality of life meaning and outlook subscales. Self-reported alcohol, tobacco and cocaine use declined, although cannabis and opiate use did not; reported reductions in problematic cocaine use were statistically significant. All study participants reported positive and lasting changes from participating in the retreats.
Conclusions
This form of ayahuasca-assisted therapy appears to be associated with statistically significant improvements in several factors related to problematic substance use among a rural aboriginal population. These findings suggest participants may have experienced positive psychological and behavioral changes in response to this therapeutic approach, and that more rigorous research of ayahuasca-assisted therapy for problematic substance use is warranted.
Research Summary of 'Ayahuasca-assisted therapy for addiction: results from a preliminary observational study in Canada'
Introduction
Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychotropic brew combining Banisteriopsis caapi (harmala alkaloids) and Psychotria viridis (dimethyltryptamine, DMT) that produces extended altered states of consciousness. Earlier observational work among members of Brazilian ayahuasca churches and in therapeutic communities such as Takiwasi and IDEAA has suggested potential salutogenic effects, including lower substance use and improvements in psychosocial functioning. However, those studies largely involve people who are regular members of religious communities or treatment centres, and have not provided rigorous evidence that the brew itself, as opposed to the broader communal or therapeutic context, produces benefits for substance dependence. There is therefore uncertainty about generalisability to other populations and about which elements of ritualised ayahuasca use are most relevant to recovery from addiction. This study, conducted with a coastal First Nations band in rural British Columbia, set out to document the effects of a structured, multiday intervention—labelled the "Working with Addiction and Stress" retreats—that combined group counselling and two Shipibo-style ayahuasca ceremonies. Thomas and colleagues aimed to assess whether participation would be associated with improvements in emotional regulation, mindfulness, empowerment, hopefulness and quality of life, and with reductions in problematic substance use. The investigators also collected semi-structured qualitative interviews six months after the retreats to capture participants' subjective experiences and to supplement the psychometric and behavioural measures.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compound
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- APA Citation
Thomas, G., Lucas, P., Capler, N., Tupper, K., & Martin, G. (2013). Ayahuasca-assisted therapy for addiction: results from a preliminary observational study in Canada. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 6(1), 30-42. https://doi.org/10.2174/15733998113099990003
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