Insights, Life Changes and Lifestyle Changes Reported by Individuals Consuming Ayahuasca in Naturalistic Settings: Nature, Frequency and Associations with Mental Health and Wellbeing

Author:

Perkins Daniel1234ORCID,Opaleye Emerita5ORCID,Bouso Jose Carlos678,Tófoli Luis Fernando9,Sarris Jerome210,Schubert Violeta4,Ruffell Simon12ORCID,Simonova Hana11

Affiliation:

1. School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia

2. Psychae Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3070, Australia

3. Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia

4. School of Social and Political Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia

5. Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 04023-062, Brazil

6. International Center for Ethnobotanic Education, Research and Service, 08015 Barcelona, Spain

7. Medical Anthropology Research Center, University of Rovira I Virgili, 43002 Tarragona, Spain

8. Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeiao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-070, Brazil

9. Interdisciplinary Cooperation for Ayahuasca Research and Outreach—ICARO, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-000, Brazil

10. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia

11. Independent Researcher, Melbourne, VIC 3070, Australia

Abstract

Background: In the context of increasing scientific interest in the potential therapeutic use of psychedelic agents and their underlying psychotherapeutic mechanisms, we undertake the first detailed assessment of insights and life and lifestyle changes associated with ayahuasca consumption. Methods: An international cross-sectional study of ayahuasca drinkers in a variety of settings was performed (n = 8907). Bivariate analysis and multivariate linear and logistic regressions were used to explore associations between a range of covariates and insights, life changes and lifestyle changes. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator variable selection method (LASSO) was used to select the variables most relevant for inclusion in models assessing broader wellbeing and mental health associations. Results: Insights are almost universally reported as part of the ayahuasca experience and are highly valued by drinkers and strongly predictive of subsequent beneficial life and lifestyle changes. A range of personal, vocational, religious/spiritual and health-related life changes (attributed to ayahuasca) are also commonly identified, as are various beneficial lifestyle and health behavior changes. Demographic and ayahuasca drinking variables that are predictive of such phenomena are reported, along with associations between insights, life and lifestyle changes and perceived growth in psychological wellbeing and current mental health status (Kessler 10 and SF-12 MCS). Conclusion: Insights and subsequent life and lifestyle changes appear to have a central role in the transformative effects reported by individuals consuming ayahuasca, with these occurring across contexts of use and demographic groups.

Publisher

MDPI AG

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