Effects of ayahuasca on binocular rivalry with dichoptic stimulus alternation
E. Frecska, K. D. White, L. E. Luna
Psychopharmacology April 1, 2004 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-003-1701-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subjects experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | Individuals participating in ayahuasca ceremonials |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Binocular rivalry Stimulus psychology Binocular vision Monocular Audiology Hallucinogen Visual perception Cognitive psychology Computer vision |
| Citations | 31 |
| Key findings | Ingestion of ayahuasca increased mean dominance periods in binocular rivalry, especially at high dichoptic stimulus alternation rates (15 and 30 Hz), where dominance periods were longer on the brew. |
Abstract
RationaleDuring binocular rivalry, two incompatible images are presented to each eye and these monocular stimuli compete for perceptual dominance, with one pattern temporarily suppressed from awareness. One variant of stimulus presentation in binocular rivalry experiments is dichoptic stimulus alternation (DSA), when stimuli are applied to the eyes in rapid reversals. There is preliminary report that in contrast with healthy controls, schizophrenic patients can maintain binocular rivalry even at very high DSA rates.ObjectiveThe study was undertaken to investigate whether binocular rivalry survives high rates of DSA induced by the South American hallucinogenic beverage ayahuasca.MethodsTen individuals who were participating in ayahuasca ceremonials were requested to volunteer for binocular rivalry tests (DSA=0, 3.75, 7.5, 15 and 30 Hz) without and after drinking the brew.ResultsIngestion of ayahuasca increased mean dominance periods both in standard binocular rivalry conditions (no DSA) and tests with DSA. At higher DSA rates (15 and 30 Hz) the total length of dominance periods was longer on the brew.ConclusionIt is discussed that ayahuasca-induced survival of binocular rivalry at high DSA rates may be related to slow visual processing and increased mean dominance periods may result from hallucinogen-induced alteration of gamma oscillations in the visual pathways.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seeing with the eyes shut: Neural basis of enhanced imagery following ayahuasca ingestion Human participants (number not stated) | 2011 | Within-subjects experimental study | |
| Ayahuasca enhances creative divergent thinking while decreasing conventional convergent thinking Participants at spiritual ayahuasca workshops | 2016 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 26 |
| Metabolism and disposition of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and harmala alkaloids after oral administration of ayahuasca Healthy male volunteers | 2012 | Observational pharmacokinetic study | n = 10 |
| New World Tryptamine Hallucinogens and the Neuroscience of Ayahuasca. | 2018 | Review with original neuroimaging and neurophysiological data | |
| Stability Evaluation of DMT and Harmala Alkaloids in Ayahuasca Tea Samples Ayahuasca tea samples | 2020 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 21
- The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization. Frontiers in Pharmacology March 2, 2016
- Effects of ayahuasca on psychometric measures of anxiety, panic-like and hopelessness in Santo Daime members Journal of Ethnopharmacology April 26, 2007
- Unifying Theories of Psychedelic Drug Effects Frontiers in Pharmacology March 2, 2018
- Psilocybin links binocular rivalry switch rate to attention and subjective arousal levels in humans Psychopharmacology September 13, 2007
- The current state of research on ayahuasca: A systematic review of human studies assessing psychiatric symptoms, neuropsychological functioning, and neuroimaging Journal of Psychopharmacology June 11, 2016
and 16 more in the library
Cites 12
- Psilocybin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans via a serotonin-2 agonist action Neuroreport December 1, 1998
- Human Pharmacology of Ayahuasca: Subjective and Cardiovascular Effects, Monoamine Metabolite Excretion, and Pharmacokinetics Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics June 18, 2003
- Subjective effects and tolerability of the South American psychoactive beverage Ayahuasca in healthy volunteers Psychopharmacology February 22, 2001
- Human psychopharmacology of N,N-dimethyltryptamine Behavioural Brain Research December 1, 1995
- Effects of the hallucinogen psilocybin on habituation and prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex in humans Behavioural Pharmacology November 1, 1998
and 7 more in the library