This retrospective case study features a woman in her mid-50s who spent her childhood in a religious community plagued by sexual abuse of children. She was abused by her father for more than a decade. The church and her mother ignored her reports about it. In her early twenties, she enrolled herself in the Erhard Seminars Training program that destabilized her, inducing a first-onset psychosis,...
Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce ex Griseb.) Morton, a vine native to South America and belonging to the Malpighiaceae plant family, is well known for its role as a primary component in the renowned psychoactive beverage known as ‘ayahuasca’, which also includes the herb Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pav. Ethnic groups have historically employed the concoction for ceremonial, therapeutic, and...
Research SquareMarch 5, 2025Expedito Do Nascimento Júnior, Luiz Pereira, Wigínio Lira-Bandeira et al.
preprint
Abstract Depression remains a debilitating mental health disorder affecting millions worldwide, with growing prevalence among adolescents. Recent studies highlight the critical role of the somatosensory cortex in the neuropathology of depression, including structural alterations that impair cortical function. This study investigates the prophylactic effects of ayahuasca, a traditional...
Although several studies have been conducted to elucidate the relationship between psychedelic consumption and cognition, few have focused on understanding the long-term use influence of these substances on these variables, especially in ritualistic contexts. To verify the influence of ritualistic ayahuasca consumption on the cognition of experienced ayahuasca religious users (> 20 years) and...
This article explores the multifaceted therapeutic and psycho-spiritual dimensions of ayahuasca within the framework of a unified integrative model of medicine. Ayahuasca, a traditional South American brew with rich ceremonial roots, has gained global recognition for its ability to catalyse profound psychological and spiritual transformations. Highlighting its historical, cultural, and...
Banisteriopsis caapi, da família Malpighiaceae, utilizada em rituais religiosos, unida com Psychotria viridis na preparação do chá Ayahuasca. A pesquisa do mariri na floresta amazônica frequentemente realizada para mapear a ocorrência do cipó, a logística de acesso e avaliação do potencial de aproveitamento dos indivíduos encontrados para fazer a coleta. Estas ações exigem conhecimentos...
The durability of ayahuasca's effects on mental health and the influence of clinical diagnoses on therapeutic response is unclear. Adults with no prior exposure to ayahuasca (n = 66) participating in neo-shamanic ayahuasca ceremonies completed questionnaires at baseline, 7 days, and 1, 6, and 12 months. Mixed models were used to characterize temporal trajectories in mental health, alcohol and...
El uso de Ayahuasca para tratar la salud mental ha cobrado importancia en las últimas décadas, con base en las nuevas necesidades que se presentan en este ámbito, demostrando que tendría efectividad dentro del área de la psicología clínica. Es por ello, que se presenta esta investigación con el objetivo de describir las nuevas representaciones de la salud mental en consumidores de Ayahuasca. El...
An interesting aspect of entity encounters during psychedelic experiences is their ability to transform one's religious beliefs. However, little is known about sex differences in these transformations. This study investigates sex differences in changes in religious beliefs before and after an entity encounter among ayahuasca users. Data were collected via an anonymous Internet-based survey (N =...
Revista fisio&terapiaFebruary 6, 2025Lavynia Ferreira Nunes, A. S. Medeiros, Alana Almeida Lobão Lopes et al.
Objective: To explore the therapeutic use of Ayahuasca in patients diagnosed with mental disorders. Methods: This literature review sought to answer the following question: “What is the scientific evidence involved in the therapeutic use of ayahuasca in the treatment of mental disorders?”. The descriptors “Mental Disorders”, “Ayahuasca” and “Banisteriopsis” were used to search the...