Therapeutic Potential Ascribed to Ayahuasca by Users in the Czech Republic
Miroslav Horák, Lea Hasíková, Nahanga Verter
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs August 30, 2018 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2018.1511878 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 46 |
| Population | Users and facilitators of ayahuasca rituals in the Czech Republic |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Duration | November 2015 to December 2016 |
| Topics | Addiction Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Czech Psychotherapist Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | The therapeutic potential of ayahuasca, which users consider applicable to drug addiction and based on memory recall, is not proportional to the intensity of its effects. |
Abstract
This article focuses on the therapeutic potential ascribed to ayahuasca by users in the Czech Republic. Following an online survey, the fieldwork among users of ayahuasca was carried out from November 2015 to December 2016. The research sample consisted of 46 persons (23 women and 23 men), who took part at least once in some type of ayahuasca ritual and/or were the facilitators of the ayahuasca sessions. We held semi-structured interviews with participants in order to discover the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca. Transcribed recordings were analyzed using the Grounded Theory Method. The results suggest that the intensity of effects produced by ayahuasca is not directly proportional to its therapeutic effect. According to the informants, ayahuasca is applicable in the treatment of drug addiction. They consider it to have a broad spectrum of therapeutic potential. This therapeutic potential could be based on memory recall.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on ayahuasca for addiction, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- Modulation of Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor by a Single Dose of Ayahuasca: Observation From a Randomized Controlled Trial Frontiers in Psychology June 4, 2019
- The acute effects of classic psychedelics on memory in humans Psychopharmacology January 9, 2021
- Ayahuasca and Public Health: Health Status, Psychosocial Well-Being, Lifestyle, and Coping Strategies in a Large Sample of Ritual Ayahuasca Users Journal of Psychoactive Drugs February 7, 2019
- Ayahuasca's therapeutic potential: What we know - and what not. European Neuropsychopharmacology 2023
- The ritual use of ayahuasca during treatment of severe physical illnesses: a qualitative study Journal of Psychoactive Drugs December 7, 2020
and 11 more in the library
Cites 24
- Antidepressant Effects of a Single Dose of Ayahuasca in Patients With Recurrent Depression Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology December 11, 2015
- Ayahuasca-Assisted Therapy for Addiction: Results from a Preliminary Observational Study in Canada Current Drug Abuse Reviews June 1, 2013
- Antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive effects of ayahuasca, psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): a systematic review of clinical trials published in the last 25 years Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology March 18, 2016
- Risk assessment of ritual use of oral dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmala alkaloids Addiction December 20, 2006
- Exploring the therapeutic potential of Ayahuasca: acute intake increases mindfulness-related capacities Psychopharmacology November 27, 2015
and 19 more in the library