Psychological variables implied in the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca: A contextual approach
This retrospective survey study (n=122) compared non-ayahuasca users with ayahuasca users in Decentering, Values, and Public control of the experience of self, and found that although participants who had taken ayahuasca on more than 15 occasions scored higher on Decentering than all other participants, there was no direct correlation between the number of ayahuasca sessions and any of the psychological variables.
Authors
- Sam Gandy
- José Carlos Bouso
- Joaquim Soler
Published
Abstract
Introduction
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic decoction originating from Amazonia. The ayahuasca-induced introspective experience has been shown to have potential benefits in the treatment of several pathologies, to protect mental health and improve neuropsychological functions and creativity, and boost mindfulness. The underlying psychological processes related to the use of ayahuasca in a psychotherapeutic context are not yet well described in the scientific literature, but there is some evidence to suggest that psychological variables described in psychotherapies could be useful in explaining the therapeutic effects of the brew.
Methods
In this study we explore the link between ayahuasca use and Decentering, Values and Self, comparing subjects without experience of ayahuasca (n = 41) with subjects with experience (n = 81). Results confirm that ayahuasca users scored higher than non-users in Decentering and Positive self, but not in Valued living, Life fulfilment, Self in social relations, Self in close relations and General self. Scores in Decentering were higher in the more experienced subjects (more than 15 occasions) than in those with less experience (less than 15 occasions).
Discussion
Our results show that psychological process variables may explain the outcomes in ayahuasca psychotherapy. The introduction of these variables is warranted in future ayahuasca therapeutic studies.
Research Summary of 'Psychological variables implied in the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca: A contextual approach'
Introduction
Ayahuasca is an Amazonian decoction combining Banisteriopsis caapi, which provides harmala alkaloids that act as reversible MAO inhibitors, with plants such as Psychotria viridis that supply DMT. Franquesa and colleagues note that the brew produces an altered, introspective state featuring autobiographical imagery, emotional material and transpersonal experiences, and that anecdotal and some empirical evidence point to therapeutic benefits for conditions including addiction and treatment‑resistant depression, as well as improvements in creativity, neuropsychological function and certain personality domains. Although safety concerns are discussed in the literature, the authors report that studies comparing ritual ayahuasca users with non‑users generally have not found worse psychopathological or neuropsychological outcomes among users. The investigators identify a gap in the literature: the psychological process variables that might explain ayahuasca's putative therapeutic effects have not been well characterised. They propose that constructs emphasised in contextual psychotherapies—especially Decentering (the capacity to observe thoughts and feelings as transient mental events rather than identifying with them), values‑based living, and aspects of self‑experience such as public control and a ‘‘positive self’’—could mediate outcomes. The study therefore aims to compare ayahuasca users and non‑users on measures of Decentering, Values and experience‑of‑self, and to explore whether these process measures differ by frequency of ayahuasca use.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
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- APA Citation
Franquesa, A., Sainz-Cort, A., Gandy, S., Soler, J., Alcázar-Córcoles, M. Á., & Bouso, J. C. (2018). Psychological variables implied in the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca: A contextual approach. Psychiatry Research, 264, 334-339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.04.012
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