Ayahuasca's antidepressant effects covary with behavioral activation as well as mindfulness
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Placebo-controlled |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 152 |
| Population | Individuals who had an ayahuasca experience |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Topics | Anxiety Ayahuasca Meditation |
| Keywords | Antidepressant Psychotherapist Behavioral activation Clinical psychology Cognition |
| Key findings | Changes in behavioral activation accounted for significant unique variance in depression improvements after an ayahuasca experience, suggesting it is an important mechanism underlying the antidepressant effects. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca, a plant-based hallucinogen that serves as a spiritual medicine in South America, has improved depression in at least one placebo-controlled clinical trial. Case studies suggest that dramatic behavioral changes often follow the Ayahuasca ceremony, but most explanations of antidepressant effects focus on observed changes in mindfulness. The present study investigated if both mindfulness and behavioral activation might also contribute to these anti-depressant effects. We surveyed individuals (N = 152) about their changes in depressive symptoms, Behavioral Activation, and mindfulness after an Ayahuasca experience. Mindfulness was strongly associated with reduced depression severity (r = -.670, p < .001), while behavioral activation was moderately linked (r = -.474, p < .001). Changes in depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Sciences Depression Short Form [CES-D-10]) covaried with subscales from the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire [FFMQ] and Experiences Questionnaire [EQ], confirming previous findings (beta = -.57, [95% CI (- 5.70) - (- 3.25)], p < .001). In addition, a modification of the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale-Short Form [BADS-SF] accounted for significant unique variance in the improvements in depression (beta = -.16, [95% CI (-6.32) - (-0.08)], p < .05). These results suggest that changes in behavioral activation likely serve as an important mechanism underlying Ayahuasca’s antidepressant effects. Future clinical trials could benefit from tracking behavioral activation. In addition, a concerted focus on increasing valued, positive activities might enhance Ayahuasca’s anti-depressant effects.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on ayahuasca for anxiety, most cited first.