Ayahuasca and the Healing of Eating Disorders

Renelli, Marika; Fletcher, Jenna; Loizaga-Velder, Anja; Files, Natasha; Tupper, Kenneth W.; Lafrance, Adèle

doi:10.4324/9781315159645-17

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…Subacute “after-effects” of ayahuasca include increased mindfulness, ability to decentre and reduced self-judgment and inner reactivity ( 34 ). Qualitative reports of greater self-love and compassion have also been suggested, however quantitative measurements have yet to be adequately established ( 35 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ceremonial Ayahuasca in Amazonian Retreats—Mental Health and Epigenetic Outcomes From a Six-Month Naturalistic Study

et al. 2021

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Ayahuasca is a natural psychoactive brew, used in traditional ceremonies in the Amazon basin. Recent research has indicated that ayahuasca is pharmacologically safe and its use may be positively associated with improvements in psychiatric symptoms. The mechanistic effects of ayahuasca are yet to be fully established. In this prospective naturalistic study, 63 self-selected participants took part in ayahuasca ceremonies at a retreat centre in the Peruvian Amazon. Participants undertook the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Self-compassion Scale (SCS), Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), as well as secondary measures, pre- and post-retreat and at 6-months. Participants also provided saliva samples for pre/post epigenetic analysis. Overall, a statistically significant decrease in BDI-II (13.9 vs. 6.1, p < 0.001), STAI (44.4 vs. 34.3 p < 0.001) scores, and CORE-OM scores were observed (37.3 vs. 22.3 p < 0.001) at post-retreat, as well as a concurrent increase in SCS (3.1 vs. 3.6, p < 0.001). Psychometric improvements were sustained, and on some measures values further decreased at 6-month follow-up, suggesting a potential for lasting therapeutic effects. Changes in memory valence were linked to the observed psychometric improvements. Epigenetic findings were equivocal, but indicated that further research in candidate genes, such as sigma non-opioid intracellular receptor 1 (SIGMAR1), is warranted. This data adds to the literature supporting ayahuasca's possible positive impact on mental health when conducted in a ceremonial context. Further investigation into clinical samples, as well as greater analyses into the mechanistic action of ayahuasca is advised.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ceremonial Ayahuasca in Amazonian Retreats—Mental Health and Epigenetic Outcomes From a Six-Month Naturalistic Study

et al. 2021

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“…Recently, ingestion of ceremonial ayahuasca demonstrated a therapeutic effect for patients with eating disorders, possibly mediated by attenuation of the DMN and concomitant changes in selfperception, including an enhanced ability to decenter and distance themselves from maladaptive and intrusive thoughts (Renelli et al, 2018). A body image that is subjectively distressing to patients constitutes a key characteristic in disorders marked by aberrant bodily self-awareness and is often linked to previous negative autobiographical experiences.…”

Section: Readaptation Of the Narrative Selfmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast to SSRIs targeting the serotonin transporter SERT, psychedelics exert their psychotropic effects via direct stimulation of specific receptors, in particular agonistic activity on the 5-HT2A receptor (psilocybin: Kometer, Schmidt, Jancke, & Vollenweider, 2013;LSD: Preller et al, 2018DMT: Valle et al, 2016) and/or sigma-1 receptors (DMT: Palhano-Fontes et al, 2015). Preliminary evidence in human studies supports significant symptom alleviation through psychedelics substances in various psychiatric disorders, including depression Watts, Day, Krzanowski, Nutt, & Carhart-Harris, 2017), obsessive-compulsive disorder (Moreno, Wiegand, Taitano, & Delgado, 2006;Wilcox, 2014), body dysmorphic disorder (Hanes, 1996), and eating disorders (Mills, Park, Manara, & Merriman, 1998;Renelli et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuropharmacological modulation of the aberrant bodily self through psychedelics

Preller

Lenggenhager

2020

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

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As a continual source of sensory input and fundamental component of self-referential processing, the body holds an integral modulatory role in cognition. In a healthy state, predictive coding of multisensory integration promotes the construction of a coherent self. However, several psychiatric disorders comprise aberrant perceptions of the bodily self that are purported to involve discrepancies in the integration and updating of multisensory systems. Changes in functional connectivity of somatomotor and high-level association networks in these disorders could be successfully remediated through 5-HT2A receptor agonism via psychedelics. Reported alterations of bodily self-awareness during psychedelic experiences allude to a potentially central role of the bodily self. In this article, we bridge the domains of (aberrant) bodily self-awareness and psychedelics by discussing the predictive coding mechanisms underlying the bodily self and psychedelics. Furthermore, we propose that psychedelically-induced desynchronization of predictive coding might involve modulation of somatomotor, sensorimotor, and high-level association networks that could remediate aberrant perceptions of the bodily self.

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“…Somatic effects of ayahuasca are often strongly associated with psychotherapeutic processes of healing ( 24 – 27 ), and have been likened to intense psychotherapy ( 28 ) leading ayahuasca to have strong potential as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma relatable disorders ( 29 ). Specifically, ayahuasca is associated with improvements in well-being and quality of life ( 30 ), and qualitative reports indicate greater self-love and compassion after use of ayahuasca ( 31 ). Data on the public health impact of naturalistic ceremonial ayahuasca use is limited, fueling concerns about rising ayahuasca use and widespread popular media coverage that may not accurately reflect evidence-based evaluation ( 32 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term benefits to psychological health and well-being after ceremonial use of Ayahuasca in Middle Eastern and North African immigrants and refugees

Lowe,

Kettner,

Jolly

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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BackgroundRefugees and immigrants can experience complex stressors from the process of immigration that can have lasting and severe long-term mental health consequences. Experiences after ayahuasca ingestion are shown to produce positive effects on psychological wellbeing and mental health, including anecdotal reports of improved symptoms of trauma and related disorders. However, data on the longitudinal health impact of naturalistic ayahuasca use in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) immigrant and refugee populations is limited.AimsThe current longitudinal online survey study was conducted to gather prospective data on ceremonial ayahuasca use in a group (N = 15) of primarily female MENA immigrants and refugees and to provide further insight into the patterns and outcomes surrounding that use. The study sought to assess self-reported changes in physical and mental health, well-being, and psychological functioning, examine relationships between aspects of individual mindset (e.g., psychedelic preparedness) prior to ayahuasca use and observed outcomes during (e.g., subjective drug effects) and afterwards (i.e., persisting effects), characterize risks and negative experiences, and describe trauma exposure and personal history.Results/OutcomesOur findings revealed ceremonial use of ayahuasca is associated with significant improvements in mental health, well-being, and psychological functioning, including reductions in depression, anxiety, and shame, and increases in cognitive reappraisal and self-compassion. Most participants reported no lasting adverse effects and experienced notable positive behavioral changes persisting months after ingestion.Conclusion/InterpretationWhile preliminary, results suggest naturalistic ayahuasca use might hold therapeutic potential for MENA populations exposed to trauma prior to and during the process of migration.

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Ayahuasca and the Healing of Eating Disorders

Cited by 4 publications

References 1 publication

Ceremonial Ayahuasca in Amazonian Retreats—Mental Health and Epigenetic Outcomes From a Six-Month Naturalistic Study

Ceremonial Ayahuasca in Amazonian Retreats—Mental Health and Epigenetic Outcomes From a Six-Month Naturalistic Study

Neuropharmacological modulation of the aberrant bodily self through psychedelics

Long-term benefits to psychological health and well-being after ceremonial use of Ayahuasca in Middle Eastern and North African immigrants and refugees

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