Associations Between Ayahuasca Use in Naturalistic Settings and Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes: Analysis of a Large Global Dataset.

Abstract

Emerging evidence indicates that ayahuasca consumption may have beneficial mental health effects. This study undertakes the largest analysis to date of associations between naturalistic ayahuasca use and current mental health status via an online cross-sectional survey. The sample included 7,576 participants (average age 41, 47% female) who had consumed ayahuasca in religious, traditional, or non-traditional settings in over 50 countries. Bivariate analysis, multivariate linear regressions and generalized structural equation modeling were used to explore associations between ayahuasca use variables, current mental health (K10, SF-12 MCS), and psychological well-being change (PWG). The number of ayahuasca uses was found to be positively associated with current mental health status (all measures), and this remained highly significant in multivariate models, with little evidence of associations diminishing over time. Variables such as the strength of the mystical experience, self-insights, and community/social variables were also positively associated with current mental health and PWG, while acute extreme fear and integration difficulties were negatively associated. Findings suggest that naturalistic ayahuasca use is associated with better current mental health status and enhanced psychological wellbeing for individuals with and without a history of mental illness, independent of community effects, with certain variables contributing positively or negatively to these effects.