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A Qualitative Study of Intention and Impact of Ayahuasca Use by Westerners

Geoff J. Bathje, Jon Fenton, Daniel Pillersdorf, London Hill

April 1, 2021 preprint DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/n34xq (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study
Sample size 41
Population Western participants in facilitated group ayahuasca experiences (shamanic, neoshamanic, spiritual, and religious settings)
Intervention Ayahuasca
Topics Ayahuasca Psilocybin
Keywords Spirituality Mental health Psychotherapist Qualitative research Focus group Clinical psychology Hallucinogen
Citations 23
Key findings Participants reported a wide range of sustained beneficial impacts from group ayahuasca experiences, including improvements in mental health, substance use, relationships, and spirituality, with only two participants reporting problematic experiences.

Abstract

Ayahuasca has gained the attention of researchers over the past decade as psychedelic-assisted therapy for MDMA and psilocybin have progressed through FDA approved clinical trials. In spite of the increase in research, there are relatively few clinical studies of ayahuasca and little qualitative research on the therapeutic or healing uses of psychedelics in general. The present study included 41 Western participants who were interviewed about their participation in facilitated group ayahuasca experiences (e.g. in shamanic, neoshamanic, spiritual, and religious settings). Participants were interviewed about their intentions for participating, along with the perceived impact of the experiences. In particular, we focused on impacts that participants perceived to be sustained and enduring. We identified an impressive range of beneficial impacts, including improvements in areas that are often a focus of psychotherapy, such as mental health and substance use, health behaviors, interpersonal relationships, sense of self, attitude. Extratherapeutic effects were also observed in areas such as changes in creativity, somatic sensations, physical health/pain, sense of connection to nature, spirituality, and concern for the greater good. Two participants also reported problematic experiences, apparently related to set and setting. Implications for research and practice, along with a humanistic framework for interpreting these findings is provided.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The antipodes Of the mind Indigenous people, shamans, members of different religious sects using Ayahuasca, and... 2002 Qualitative study
Drug Tourism or Spiritual Healing? Ayahuasca Seekers in Amazonia Westerners participating in an ayahuasca retreat in Amazonia 2005 Qualitative study
Therapeutic Effects of Ritual Ayahuasca Use in the Treatment of Substance Dependence—Qualitative Results Therapists, expert researchers, and individuals who underwent ayahuasca-assisted... 2014 Qualitative study n = 29
Nourishing the Spirit: Exploratory Research on Ayahuasca Experiences along the Continuum of Recovery from Eating Disorders Individuals previously diagnosed with an eating disorder 2017 Qualitative study n = 16
Exploring ayahuasca‐assisted therapy for addiction: A qualitative analysis of preliminary findings among an Indigenous community in Canada Indigenous adults in Canada who participated in ayahuasca-assisted ceremonial retreats 2019 Qualitative study n = 11

Citations in the library

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Related reading

Explore topics

Ayahuasca Psilocybin MDMA Psychedelic-assisted therapy Shamanism