EEG Gamma Coherence and Other Correlates of Subjective Reports During Ayahuasca Experiences
David E. Stuckey, Robert F. Lawson, Luís Eduardo Luna
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2005.10399798 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Exploratory case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | Experienced ayahuasca users |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Topics | Ayahuasca Meditation |
| Keywords | Electroencephalography Exploratory research Cognitive psychology Audiology |
| Citations | 43 |
| Key findings | Increases in global EEG coherence in the 36-44 Hz and 50-64 Hz frequency bands were observed in both participants during ayahuasca experiences. |
Abstract
The current study examined QEEG power and coherence of ayahuasca experiences with two experienced participants in a Brazilian jungle setting. An exploratory case series design was adopted for naturalistic field research. EEGs recorded during visual imagery was compared to eyes-closed baselines. The most important findings were increases in global EEG coherence in the 36-44 Hz and 50-64 Hz frequency bands for both subjects. Widely distributed cortical hyper-coherence seems reasonable given the intense synesthesia during ayahuasca experiences. Other findings include increased modal EEG alpha frequency and global power decreases across the cortex in most frequency bands, which concur with the EEG of psychedelics literature. Exploratory analysis revealed the usefulness of analyzing single Hz bins over the standard wide-band analysis. The discovery-oriented naturalistic approach developed for this study resulted in potentially important findings. We believe that finding increases in global gamma coherence during peak psychedelic experiences might contribute to the discussion of binding theory. Also, in light of recent research with gamma coherence during advanced meditative conditions, our findings might further the comparison of shamanic psychedelic practices with meditation.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on ayahuasca, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A fatal intoxication following the ingestion of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in an ayahuasca preparation. 25-year-old white male | 2005 | Case study | n = 1 |
| The Diaspora of Brazilian Religions | 2013 | Ethnographic case studies | |
| Reply to “Ayahuasca turned on my mind’s eye”: A case of acquired versus congenital aphantasia, as evidenced with DMT use? Individual with apparent congenital aphantasia | 2018 | Case study | n = 1 |
| “Ayahuasca turned on my mind’s eye”: Enhanced visual imagery after ayahuasca intake in a man with “blind imagination” (aphantasia) A man self-diagnosed with long-lasting aphantasia | 2018 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Light microscopy can reveal the consumption of a mixture of psychotropic plant and fungal material in suspicious death. Deceased young man who participated in an ayahuasca ceremony | 2015 | Case study | n = 1 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 26
- The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization. Frontiers in Pharmacology March 2, 2016
- Ayahuasca: Psychological and Physiologic Effects, Pharmacology and Potential Uses in Addiction and Mental Illness Current Neuropharmacology March 2, 2018
- Acute Biphasic Effects of Ayahuasca PLoS One September 30, 2015
- Brain changes during a shamanic trance: Altered modes of consciousness, hemispheric laterality, and systemic psychobiology Cogent Psychology April 24, 2017
- Safety and Side Effects of Ayahuasca in Humans—An Overview Focusing on Developmental Toxicology Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2013
and 21 more in the library
Cites 8
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- Human Psychopharmacology of Hoasca, A Plant Hallucinogen Used in Ritual Context in Brazil The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease February 1, 1996
- Subjective effects and tolerability of the South American psychoactive beverage Ayahuasca in healthy volunteers Psychopharmacology February 22, 2001
- Topographic pharmaco‐EEG mapping of the effects of the South American psychoactive beverage ayahuasca in healthy volunteers British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology June 1, 2002
- The healing practices of a Peruvian shaman. Journal of Ethnopharmacology July 1, 1984
and 3 more in the library