Ayahuasca’s ‘afterglow’: improved mindfulness and cognitive flexibility in ayahuasca drinkers.
This study (n=48) investigates the ‘afterglow’ effects of ayahuasca, focusing on improved mindfulness and cognitive flexibility to study its psychological mechanisms using Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Experiences Questionnaire (EQ), Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS), Wisconsin Picture Card Sorting Task (WPCST) and Stroop tests. The study findings reported that further changes in cognitive flexibility in the ‘afterglow’ period do occur and also supports the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca to improve mindfulness for naïve and experienced ayahuasca users.
Authors
- Ashleigh Murphy-Beiner
Published
Abstract
Rationale
There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca for treating depression and anxiety. However, the mechanisms of action involved in ayahuasca’s therapeutic effects are unclear. Mindfulness and cognitive flexibility may be two possible psychological mechanisms. Like other classic psychedelics, ayahuasca also leads to an ‘afterglow’ effect of improved subjective well-being that persists after the acute effects have subsided. This period may offer a window of increased therapeutic potential.
Objective
To explore changes in mindfulness and cognitive flexibility before and within 24 h after ayahuasca use.
Methods
Forty-eight participants (54% female) were assessed on measures of mindfulness (Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)), decentering (Experiences Questionnaire (EQ)), and cognitive flexibility (Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS)), and completed the Stroop and Wisconsin Picture Card Sorting Task (WPCST) before drinking ayahuasca, and again within 24 h.
Results
Mindfulness (FFMQ total scores and four of the five mindfulness facets: observe, describe, act with awareness, and non-reactivity) and decentering (EQ) significantly increased in the 24 h after ayahuasca use. Cognitive flexibility (CFS and WPCST) significantly improved in the 24 h after ayahuasca use. Changes in both mindfulness and cognitive flexibility were not influenced by prior ayahuasca use.
Conclusions
The present study supports ayahuasca’s ability to enhance mindfulness and further reports changes in cognitive flexibility in the ‘afterglow’ period occur, suggesting both could be possible psychological mechanisms concerning the psychotherapeutic effects of ayahuasca. Given psychological gains occurred regardless of prior ayahuasca use suggests potentially therapeutic effects for both naïve and experienced ayahuasca drinkers.
Research Summary of 'Ayahuasca’s ‘afterglow’: improved mindfulness and cognitive flexibility in ayahuasca drinkers.'
Introduction
Renewed interest in classical psychedelics has prompted investigation of their therapeutic potential across psychiatric disorders, particularly where current treatments fail. Ayahuasca, a plant brew that renders DMT orally active via harmala alkaloids from Banisteriopsis caapi combined with Psychotria viridis, produces a 4–6 h altered state and has been associated with improvements in depression, anxiety and substance use. Beyond pharmacology (serotonergic 5-HT2A agonism), the literature notes an ‘‘afterglow’’ period of improved mood that can last weeks to months, and the authors identify psychological mechanisms — notably mindfulness (including decentering) and cognitive flexibility — as plausible contributors to ayahuasca’s therapeutic effects. Murphy-Beiner and colleagues set out to probe whether mindfulness, decentering and cognitive flexibility change from baseline to within 24 h after an ayahuasca ceremony. The study therefore tests whether total mindfulness and decentering increase in the 24-h afterglow and whether cognitive flexibility shows concomitant improvement, while examining whether prior ayahuasca exposure moderates these short-term changes.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compound
- Topics
- Author
- APA Citation
Murphy-Beiner, A., & Soar, K. (2020). Ayahuasca’s ‘afterglow’: improved mindfulness and cognitive flexibility in ayahuasca drinkers.. Psychopharmacology, 237(4), 1161-1169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05445-3
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