Examining changes in personality following shamanic ceremonial use of ayahuasca.

Abstract

Abstract The present study examines the association between the ceremonial use of ayahuasca—a decoction combining the Banistereopsis caapi vine and N,N-Dimethyltryptamine-containing plants—and changes in personality traits as conceived by the Five-Factor model (FFM). We also examine the degree to which demographic characteristics, baseline personality, and acute post-ayahuasca experiences affect personality change. Participants recruited from three ayahuasca healing and spiritual centers in South and Central America (N = 256) completed self-report measures of personality at three timepoints (Baseline, Post, 3-month Follow-up). Informant-report measures of the FFM were also obtained (N = 110). Linear mixed models were used to examine changes in personality and the moderation of those changes by covariates. The most pronounced change was a reduction in Neuroticism dz self-reportT1–T2 = − 1.00; dz self-reportT1–T3 = − .85; dz informant-reportT1–T3 = − .62), reflected in self- and informant-report data. Moderation of personality change by baseline personality, acute experiences, and purgative experiences was also observed.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

• State of the evidence: Shamanism ↑Supports

  Ceremonial ayahuasca use was associated with a large reduction in Neuroticism on self-report (dz = -1.00 at post, -0.85 at 3-month follow-up) and informant-report (dz = -0.62 at follow-up), with moderation by baseline personality, acute experiences, and purgative experiences.

  Synthesized September 20, 2026

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on shamanism, most cited first.