Within-treatment changes in a novel addiction treatment program using traditional Amazonian medicine
This open-label study (n=36) found that ayahuasca led to significant (and clinically relevant) changes in addiction scores (e.g. ASI) and cognitive function. There was significant drop-out (39%), and the open-label character makes it difficult to draw causative conclusion. Still, this research provides another data point for ayahuasca for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.
Authors
- O'shaughnessy, D. M.
- Berlowitz, I.
- Rodd, R.
Published
Abstract
Aims
The therapeutic use of psychedelics is regaining scientific momentum, but similarly psychoactive ethnobotanical substances have a long history of medical (and other) uses in indigenous contexts. Here we aimed to evaluate patient outcomes in a residential addiction treatment center that employs a novel combination of Western and traditional Amazonian methods.
Methods
The study was observational, with repeated measures applied throughout treatment. All tests were administered in the center, which is located in Tarapoto, Peru. Data were collected between 2014 and 2015, and the study sample consisted of 36 male inpatients who were motivated to seek treatment and who entered into treatment voluntarily. Around 58% of the sample was from South America, 28% from Europe, and the remaining 14% from North America. We primarily employed repeated measures on a psychological test battery administered throughout treatment, measuring perceived stress, craving frequency, mental illness symptoms, spiritual well-being, and physical and emotional health. Addiction severity was measured on intake, and neuropsychological performance was assessed in a subsample from intake to at least 2 months into treatment.
Results
Statistically significant and clinically positive changes were found across all repeated measures. These changes appeared early in the treatment and were maintained over time. Significant improvements were also found for neuropsychological functioning.
Conclusion
These results provide evidence for treatment safety in a highly novel addiction treatment setting, while also suggesting positive therapeutic effects.
Research Summary of 'Within-treatment changes in a novel addiction treatment program using traditional Amazonian medicine'
Introduction
Berlowitz and colleagues situate their work within a renewed scientific interest in psychedelics and note that ethnobotanical psychoactive substances have long been used in indigenous medical contexts. The introduction outlines ayahuasca (the DMT-containing decoction prepared from Banisteriopsis caapi plus DMT-containing leaves) as an example of a traditionally used medicine with growing evidence for therapeutic potential in conditions including substance use disorders, depression and anxiety. The authors describe the Takiwasi Center in Peru, a nationally accredited residential programme that has combined ayahuasca and other Amazonian plant-based techniques (including dietary retreats and emetic preparations) with Western biomedical and psychotherapeutic approaches since 1992, but they note scientific characterisation of outcomes at the centre has been limited. This study aims to address gaps in the earlier observational evaluations of Takiwasi by examining within-treatment change with higher temporal resolution. Rather than isolating single treatment components, the researchers adopt an observational "black box" approach, using repeated psychological and neuropsychological measurements across defined treatment milestones to characterise the timing and magnitude of patient changes during the residential programme.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compound
- Topics
- APA Citation
O’Shaughnessy, D. M., Berlowitz, I., Rodd, R., Sarnyai, Z., & Quirk, F. (2021). Within-treatment changes in a novel addiction treatment program using traditional Amazonian medicine. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2045125320986634
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