Ayahuasca, a botanical hallucinogenic preparation traditionally used for ritual and therapeutic purposes by native populations of the Northwestern Amazon, has spread globally in recent decades, increasing interest in its potential therapeutic uses for anxiety, mood disorders, and substance-use disorders. Preclinical, observational, and preliminary clinical studies have corroborated some therapeutic findings. This article provides an overview of these studies and highlights current uses of ayahuasca in neuroscience, including as a tool to investigate the neural basis of introspection and other complex cognitive processes.
Dissociation—a disruption in the coherent integration of experience—is a frequent but overlooked feature in epilepsy, manifesting during seizures and between them. Evidence, though limited, suggests dissociation and epilepsy may best be conceptualized as interacting conditions shaped by shared neurobiological substrates, common risk factors, and reciprocal effects. Contributors may include disruptions in large-scale brain networks involved in embodiment, sensory integration, agentivity, emotional regulation, and perception, as well as seizure-related trauma, chronic stress, and the psychosocial burden of epilepsy. The authors advocate for improved assessment, interdisciplinary models, and targeted research to clarify underlying mechanisms, arguing that recognizing the bidirectional relationship challenges traditional disciplinary boundaries.
A 12-session mindfulness-based therapy reduced seizure frequency, intensity, and improved quality of life in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Among 26 patients who completed the program, median seizure frequency dropped by 0.12 events per week with each session. By the end of treatment, 70% of participants experienced at least a 50% reduction in seizure frequency, and 50% reported complete remission. Seizure intensity decreased and quality of life improved. Reductions in seizure duration and psychiatric symptom severity were not statistically significant. The high dropout rate is consistent with adherence patterns in this condition.