Ayahuasca

Are challenging ayahuasca experiences always harmful? Not necessarily, finds a new global survey. While some effects predict poorer mental health, others like visual distortions are linked to positive outcomes, highlighting the crucial role of context and individual vulnerability.

A recent study found that a DMT/harmine formulation blurs the brain’s distinction between self and other faces, disrupting self-referential processing while preserving recognition of familiar faces, suggesting a neural basis for psychedelic-induced ego dissolution.

A new study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs suggests that while awe can be transformative during ayahuasca retreats, there’s a limit. Experiences marked by excessive vastness were linked to lower well-being, challenging assumptions about awe’s universal benefits.

A new study suggests that vivid encounters with perceived entities during ayahuasca experiences are associated with reduced atheism and increased spirituality, particularly among men. Before the experience, men were less religious—but gender differences disappeared afterward.

Vaporized DMT produced fast and lasting improvements in depression symptoms and suicidal ideation, according to a new phase 2a trial, highlighting its potential as a scalable, non-invasive alternative to conventional and long-acting psychedelic treatments for severe depression.

Recent findings suggest that ayahuasca improves detailed memory recall among experienced users without altering overall familiarity.

A study found that harmine, a key component of ayahuasca, has no significant psychoactive effects at doses up to 500 mg. While some participants experienced drowsiness and mild side effects, harmine did not induce hallucinations or major mental status changes.

Frequent ayahuasca use is linked to improved mental health, lower psychological distress, and enhanced wellbeing, especially when paired with strong community support, mystical experiences, and personal insights. However, challenges like fear and integration difficulties can negatively impact outcomes.

A recent study found that combining DMT and harmine with meditation enhanced mystical experiences, emotional breakthroughs, and psychological insight, offering potential benefits for deepening meditation practices and understanding the therapeutic synergy between psychedelics and mindfulness.

Researchers found that DMT alters the primary visual cortex by expanding the population receptive fields of neurons. This helps explain the intense visual experiences reported by users.

Ayahuasca has gained global popularity, raising concerns about cultural appropriation and ecological impacts while offering potential benefits when integrated with Western mental health practices.

A recent study found that ayahuasca retreat participants reported significant increases in gratitude, nature relatedness, and nature appreciation, especially those who experienced stronger mystical and awe-inducing effects.

A recent study found no link between trauma history and the severity of psychedelic challenges or subsequent psychological growth, suggesting individual reactions to ayahuasca are highly variable.

Researchers have discovered that ayahuasca, particularly due to its component harmine, acts as a powerful analgesic in mice without causing any detectable toxic effects.

Participants in an ayahuasca retreat reported a significant, sustained increase in aesthetic appreciation one week and one month post-consumption.