Four weekly ayahuasca sessions lead to increases in “acceptance” capacities: a comparison study with a standard 8-week mindfulness training program
In a small comparative study, standard 8‑week MBSR produced greater overall increases in mindfulness and the MINDSENS index than four ayahuasca sessions, but the ayahuasca group showed comparable improvement on the FFMQ Non‑Judging (acceptance) subscale; thus a brief course of ayahuasca exposure may enhance acceptance to a similar extent as a lengthier mindfulness programme.
Authors
- Jordi Riba
- Amanda Feilding
- Matilde Elices
Published
Abstract
Background
The therapeutic effects of the Amazonian plant tea ayahuasca may relate to its ability to enhance mindfulness capacities. Ayahuasca induces a modified state of awareness through the combined action of its active principles: the psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and a series of centrally acting β-carbolines, mainly harmine and tetrahydroharmine. To better understand the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca, here we compared the impact on mindfulness capacities induced by two independent interventions: (a) participation in four ayahuasca sessions without any specific purpose related to improving mindfulness capacities; and (b) participation in a standard mindfulness training course: 8 weeks mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), with the specific goal of improving these skills.
Methods
Participants of two independent groups completed two self-report instruments: The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ). The MINDSENS Composite Index was also calculated, including those EQ and FFMQ items that have proven to be the most sensitive to meditation practice. Group A (n = 10) was assessed before and after the last of four closely spaced consecutive ayahuasca sessions. Group B (n = 10) was assessed before and after completion of a standard 8-week MBSR course.
Results
MBSR training led to greater increases in overall mindfulness scores after the 8-week period. MBSR but not ayahuasca led to increases in the MINDSENS Composite Index. However, the ayahuasca sessions induced comparable increases in the Non-Judging subscale of the FFMQ, specifically measuring “acceptance.” Improving this capacity allows for a more detached and less judgmental stance toward potentially distressing thoughts and emotions.
Results
The present findings suggest that a small number of ayahuasca sessions can be as effective at improving acceptance as more lengthy and costly interventions. Future studies should address the benefits of combining ayahuasca administration with mindfulness-based interventions. This will allow us to investigate if ayahuasca will improve the outcome of psychotherapeutic interventions.
Research Summary of 'Four weekly ayahuasca sessions lead to increases in “acceptance” capacities: a comparison study with a standard 8-week mindfulness training program'
Introduction
Recent years have seen renewed interest in psychedelics as treatments for psychiatric conditions, and ayahuasca in particular has attracted attention. The brew combines Banisteriopsis caapi (β-carbolines such as harmine and tetrahydroharmine, which inhibit monoamine oxidase and affect serotonin reuptake) with Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana (sources of N,N-dimethyltryptamine, DMT). DMT acts at 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors and, together with the β-carbolines, produces a dream-like altered state often accompanied by vivid imagery and emotional autobiographical recollection. Earlier studies have linked ayahuasca use with lower depressive symptoms and altered activity in brain networks implicated in self-related processing and emotion regulation; the investigators have proposed that some therapeutic effects could relate to enhancements in mindfulness-related capacities such as decentering, non-judgemental awareness and non-reactivity. Wittmann and colleagues designed an exploratory comparison to evaluate whether ayahuasca intake and a standard mindfulness training programme produce overlapping or distinct changes in mindfulness capacities. Specifically, the study compared mindfulness scores before and after four weekly ayahuasca sessions (without an explicit mindfulness aim) versus before and after an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course (with the explicit goal of cultivating mindfulness). The primary hypothesis was that both interventions would produce improvements in mindfulness-related capacities, while no specific predictions were made for which individual facets would change differentially.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compounds
- Topics
- Authors
- APA Citation
Soler, J., Elices, M., Dominguez-Clavé, E., Pascual, J. C., Feilding, A., Navarro-Gil, M., García-Campayo, J., & Riba, J. (2018). Four weekly ayahuasca sessions lead to increases in “acceptance” capacities: a comparison study with a standard 8-week mindfulness training program. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00224
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