Traditional Amazonian medicine in addiction treatment: Qualitative results
David M. O’shaughnessy, Zoltán Sarnyai, Frances Quirk, Robin Rodd
SSM: Qualitative Research in Health June 4, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100086 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 9 |
| Population | Inpatients at a residential addiction treatment centre using Peruvian traditional Amazonian medicine |
| Interventions | Traditional Amazonian medicine Ayahuasca |
| Topics | Addiction Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Substance abuse Traditional amazonian medicine Dieta Takiwasi |
| Key findings | Therapeutic effects from Amazonian medicine are possible, but the complexity of the practices should not be reduced to ayahuasca alone. |
Abstract
Traditional Amazonian medicine, and in particular the psychoactive substance ayahuasca, has generated significant research interest along with the recent revival of psychedelic medicine. Previously we published within-treatment quantitative results from a residential addiction treatment centre that predominately employs Peruvian traditional Amazonian medicine, and here we follow up that work with a qualitative study of within-treatment patient experiences. Open-ended interviews with 9 inpatients were conducted from 2014 to 2015, and later analysed using thematic analysis. Our findings support the possibility of therapeutic effects from Amazonian medicine, but also highlight the complexity of Amazonian medical practices, suggesting that the richness of such traditions should not be reduced to the use of ayahuasca only.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on ayahuasca for addiction, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Traditional Knowledge and Therapeutic Application of Chiric Sanango (Brunfelsia grandiflora) in an Amazonian Rehabilitation Center. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 15, 2026
- Psychedelics for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Substance use & addiction journal 2026
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