Depressive DisordersSubstance Use Disorders (SUD)Neuroimaging & Brain MeasuresCreativityAyahuasca

Ayahuasca enhances creative divergent thinking while decreasing conventional convergent thinking

This study (n=26) found that ayahuasca decreased convergent thinking (a part of creativity) on very experienced participants in an ayahuasca ceremony. The conclusion about divergent thinking (increased) was found on only one of the measures (ratio).

Authors

  • Jordi Riba
  • Kim Kuypers
  • Johannes Ramaekers

Published

Psychopharmacology
individual Study

Abstract

Introduction

Ayahuasca is a South American psychotropic plant tea traditionally used in Amazonian shamanism. The tea contains the psychedelic 5-HT2A receptor agonist N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), plus β-carboline alkaloids with monoamine oxidase-inhibiting properties. Increasing evidence from anecdotal reports and open-label studies indicates that ayahuasca may have therapeutic effects in treatment of substance use disorders and depression. A recent study on the psychological effects of ayahuasca found that the tea reduces judgmental processing and inner reactivity, classic goals of mindfulness psychotherapy. Another psychological facet that could potentially be targeted by ayahuasca is creative divergent thinking. This mode of thinking can enhance and strengthen psychological flexibility by allowing individuals to generate new and effective cognitive, emotional, and behavioral strategies. The present study aimed to assess the potential effects of ayahuasca on creative thinking.

Methods

We visited two spiritual ayahuasca workshops and invited participants to conduct creativity tests before and during the acute effects of ayahuasca. In total, 26 participants consented. Creativity tests included the Bpattern/line meanings test^ (PLMT) and the Bpicture concept test^ (PCT), both assessing divergent thinking and the latter also assessing convergent thinking.

Results

While no significant effects were found for the PLMT, ayahuasca intake significantly modified divergent and convergent thinking as measured by the PCT. While convergent thinking decreased after intake, divergent thinking increased.

Conclusions

The present data indicate that ayahuasca enhances creative divergent thinking. They suggest that ayahuasca increases psychological flexibility, which may facilitate psychotherapeutic interventions and support clinical trial initiatives.

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Research Summary of 'Ayahuasca enhances creative divergent thinking while decreasing conventional convergent thinking'

Introduction

Ayahuasca is a traditional South American plant brew that contains the serotonergic 5-HT2A agonist N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) together with monoamine oxidase–inhibiting β-carboline alkaloids, rendering oral DMT active. Earlier work has reported acute visionary effects, mixed findings on cognition depending on user experience, no evidence of long-term cognitive harm in follow-up studies, and potential therapeutic benefits for substance use disorders and depression. Psychedelics more broadly have been associated with lasting changes in well‑being and reductions in psychological distress in population surveys. Separate studies indicate that ayahuasca can enhance mindfulness-related capacities and reduce judgmental processing, and neuroimaging work has found altered connectivity in networks implicated in cognition and perception after ayahuasca ingestion. Kuypers and colleagues framed creative thinking—distinguishing divergent thinking (generating many novel ideas) from convergent thinking (finding a single correct solution)—as a psychological facet that could be modulated by ayahuasca and might contribute to therapeutic change through increased psychological flexibility. The present quasi‑experimental study therefore set out to assess whether acute ayahuasca intake alters divergent and convergent creative thinking. Creativity was measured before and during the acute inebriation in two separate ayahuasca‑using groups to test whether effects were robust across settings and participant characteristics.

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Study Details

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