What if a centuries-old Amazonian brew held the key to better mental health and well-being?
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive tea traditionally used in spiritual ceremonies, is once again making headlines after the most extensive study of its kind reveals promising associations between its use and improved mental health outcomes.
“Ayahuasca has been used for centuries by Indigenous communities for healing and spiritual purposes, but despite its growing global popularity, its effects on mental health in contemporary settings are not well understood,” study co-author and adjunct associate professor at Swinburne University in Australia, Daniel Perkins, told PsyPost .
“With more people around the world turning to ayahuasca (and related plant combinations containing these compounds) for personal growth, spirituality, and mental health support, we saw an opportunity to explore its potential benefits and risks in real-world settings,” Perkins said.
Ayahuasca, a traditional plant-based brew with roots in Amazonian shamanic practices, is no stranger to controversy or intrigue. Its psychoactive effects, often described as profoundly mystical, have drawn increasing interest among scientists and wellness enthusiasts alike.
Now, the largest-ever study on ayahuasca use has shed light on its potential mental health benefits, capturing the attention of researchers, policymakers, and the broader public.
The study, conducted via an online cross-sectional survey and encompassing 7,576 participants from over 50 countries, highlights a compelling link between ayahuasca consumption and improved mental health and well-being.
Published recently in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs , this research marks a significant step in understanding how this ancient brew might offer modern solutions to psychological distress.
The study’s participants, with an average age of 41 and nearly equal representation of genders, reported a variety of experiences with ayahuasca. These ranged from traditional settings, such as indigenous ceremonies in the Amazon, to more contemporary or non-religious environments. Despite the diversity in contexts, the findings were strikingly consistent: those who consumed ayahuasca reported significantly better mental health outcomes across multiple measures.Researchers analyzed the data using robust statistical methods, including multivariate linear regressions and generalized structural equation modeling.They found that the frequency of ayahuasca use was positively correlated with better scores on mental health indices such as the Kessler Psychological Distress […]
Largest-Ever Study on Ayahuasca Reveals Its Potential to Boost Mental Health and Well-Being
