Ayahuasca is a traditional plant decoction containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and various β-carbolines including harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine, which has been used ceremonially by Amazonian Indigenous groups for healing and spiritual purposes. Use of the brew has now spread far beyond its original context of consumption to North America, Europe, and Australia in neo-shamanic settings as well as Christian syncretic churches. While these groups have established their own rituals and protocols to guide use, it remains unknown the extent to which the use of traditional or non-traditional practices may affect drinkers’ acute experiences, and longer term wellbeing and mental health outcomes. Hence, this study aimed to provide the first detailed assessment of associations between ceremony/ritual characteristics, additional support practices, motivations for drinking, and mental health and wellbeing outcomes. The paper uses data from a large cross-sectional study of ayahuasca drinkers in more than 40 countries who had used ayahuasca in various contexts (n = 6,877). It captured detailed information about participant demographics, patterns and history of ayahuasca drinking, the setting of consumption, and ritualistic practices employed. Current mental health status was captured via the Kessler 10 psychological distress scale and the mental health component score of the SF-12 Health Questionnaire, while reported change in prior clinically diagnosed anxiety or depression (n = 1276) was evaluated using a (PGIC) Patient Global Impression of Change tool. Various intermediate outcomes were also assessed including perceived change in psychological wellbeing, number of personal self-insights attained, and subjective spiritual experience measured via the spirituality dimension of the Persisting Effects Questionnaire (PEQ) and Short Index of Mystical Orientation. Regression models identified a range of significant associations between set and setting variables, and intermediate and final mental health and wellbeing outcomes. A generalized structural equation model (GSEM) was then used to verify relationships and associations between endogenous, mediating and final outcome variables concurrently. The present study sheds new light on the influence of ceremonial practices, additional supports and motivations on the therapeutic effects of ayahuasca for mental health and wellbeing, and ways in which such factors can be optimized in naturalistic settings and clinical studies.
Glokalizace ayahuasky v ČR a možnosti jejího terapeutického využití v místních podmínkách
Miroslav horák 1 -romana lukášová 2 -Šárka vosáhlová glocalization oF ayahuasca in thE czEch rEpublic and its possiblE thErapEutic applications in local conditionsABSTRAKT Z ayahuasky, klíčového prvku tradiční domorodé medicíny peruánské Amazonie, se stal globální fenomén. Sezení, během ně-hož je užívána tato psychoaktivní látka, lze v současné době absolvovat nejen v prostředí jihoamerického deštného pralesa, ale také v České republice. Vzhledem k tomu, že je v ČR ayahuasca pro svůj obsah N, N-dimethyltriptaminu dle nařízení vlády č. 463/2013 Sb., O seznamech návykových látek, nelegální, je tato substance užívána v rámci subkultury. S cílem poprvé zmapovat tento aktuální fenomén jsme provedli pilotní on-line anonymní dotazníkové šetření, ve kterém jsme se mimo jiné zaměřili i na možnosti terapeutického využití této psychoaktivní látky v místních podmínkách. Analýza dat získaných od 70 respondentů ukázala, že ayahuasca je užívána ve všech krajích ČR (nejvíce v Praze) a to zejm. z léčebných důvodů. Došlo tak k přizpůsobení tradičního užívání ayahuasky lokálním podmínkám a se vzrůstající informovaností lze předpokládat další rozšíření tohoto sociokulturního jevu. Při dodržení tradičních bezpečnostních zásad má ayahuasca terapeutický potenciál vhodný pro léčbu drogové závislosti a jiných civilizačních chorob.
KEY WORDS ayahuasca; glocalization; therapyABSTRACT Ayahuasca, a key element of traditional indigenous medicine of the Peruvian Amazon, has become a global phenomenon. Sessions, during which this psychoactive substance is used, can be currently attended not only in the South American rainforest, but also in the Czech Republic. According to the Government Regulation No 463/2013 on schedules of addictive substances, ayahuasca in the Czech Republic for the presence of N, N-dimethyltryptamine is on the list of illegal drugs. However, the substance is used within the subculture. In order to investigate the current phenomenon, we conducted a pilot anonymous online survey. The investigation focused on the possibilities of therapeutic application of this substance under local conditions. The data provided by 70 respondents show that ayahuasca is used in all Czech regions (mostly in Prague), especially for the therapeutic purpose. The tradition of drinking ayahuasca has been adapted to local conditions, and it is expected to increase in future. If traditional security principles are followed, ayahuasca has therapeutic potential suitable for the treatment of drug addiction and other diseases of affluence.
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