Psychotherapeutic and neurobiological processes associated with ayahuasca: A proposed model and implications for therapeutic use
This theory-building article (2023) proposes a model of psychotherapeutic processes associated with ayahuasca consumption. It identifies five key effects: somatic effects, introspection and emotional processing, increased self-connection, increased spiritual connection, and gaining of insights and new perspectives.
Authors
- Daniel Perkins
- Joseph Sarris
- Simon Ruffell
Published
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive Amazonian plant brew. It is usually made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine (Spruce ex Griseb. Morton, Malpighiaceae), which contains three primary harmala alkaloids, along with the leaves of Psychotria viridis (daRuiz et Pavon, Rubiaceae) in which the potent psychedelic dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is found. DMT-harmaloid concoctions have gained popularity in recent years, due to growing anecdotal and scientific reports of therapeutic benefits associated with their consumption. Ayahuasca is now ingested in a variety of different settings across the globe, from traditional ethnobotanical to so called “neo-shamanic” ceremonies. Furthermore, related preparations involving alternative sources of DMT and harmala alkaloids are becoming increasingly common as knowledge of ayahuasca continues to spread internationally. This article reviews the existing literature and draws on original qualitative data from a large cross-sectional study of ayahuasca drinkers, to propose a model of psychotherapeutic processes associated with the consumption of ayahuasca. We assert that it is these processes, facilitated by a range of neurobiological effects, that lead to beneficial mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Our proposed model identifies five key psychotherapeutic processes or effects inherent to the ayahuasca experience; somatic effects; introspection and emotional processing; increased Self-connection; increased spiritual connection, and finally the gaining of insights and new perspectives. We note some important differences in these processes compared with other classic psychedelics as well as the implications of the model for the therapeutic use of ayahuasca. Improved understanding of the psychotherapeutic processes involved with the ayahuasca experience will better equip practitioners to work with this potentially transformative concoction and enable the optimization of therapeutic treatment models for potential clinical use.
Research Summary of 'Psychotherapeutic and neurobiological processes associated with ayahuasca: A proposed model and implications for therapeutic use'
Introduction
Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazonian decoction combining a DMT-containing plant (commonly Psychotria viridis) with a Banisteriopsis caapi vine that supplies harmala alkaloids. Use of DMT–harmala preparations has expanded from indigenous and syncretic religious settings into international ceremonial and therapeutic contexts, accompanied by increasing anecdotal and scientific reports of mental health and wellbeing benefits. Despite growing interest, the specific psychotherapeutic processes that mediate ayahuasca's reported therapeutic effects and how these map onto neurobiological mechanisms remain incompletely defined in the literature. This paper combines a narrative review of existing empirical and theoretical work with qualitative material drawn from the Global Ayahuasca Project (GAP) to propose a coherent model of psychotherapeutic processes associated with ayahuasca consumption. The stated aim is to identify core experiential elements believed to drive beneficial outcomes, and to discuss implications for clinical treatment models and therapist training, with a view to informing forthcoming clinical trials of ayahuasca-inspired interventions for conditions such as treatment-resistant depression and alcohol use disorder.
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Perkins, D., Ruffell, S. G. D., Day, K., Pinzon Rubiano, D., & Sarris, J. (2023). Psychotherapeutic and neurobiological processes associated with ayahuasca: A proposed model and implications for therapeutic use. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.879221
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