Ayahuasca improves emotion dysregulation in a community sample and in individuals with borderline-like traits

Domínguez-Clavé, Elisabet; Soler, Joaquim; Pascual, Juan Carlos; Elices, Matilde; Franquesa, Alba; Valle, Marta; Álvarez, Enric; Riba, Jordi

doi:10.1007/s00213-018-5085-3

Cited by 57 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…For example, qualitative analysis of interviews conducted among individuals that received psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression identified shifts from emotional avoidance to emotional acceptance as a central theme underlying therapeutic change ( 1 ). Similarly, within non-clinical samples, experimental research has found that administration of ayahuasca is associated with increases in experiential acceptance ( 27 – 30 ), which is inversely associated with experiential avoidance ( 31 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Post-Psychedelic Reductions in Experiential Avoidance Are Associated With Decreases in Depression Severity and Suicidal Ideation

Zeifman

Wagner²,

Watts

et al. 2020

Front. Psychiatry

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Psychedelic therapy shows promise as a novel intervention for a wide range of mental health concerns but its therapeutic action is incompletely understood. In line with acceptance and commitment therapy's (ACT's) transdiagnostic model, qualitative research has suggested that reductions in experiential avoidance are an important component of therapeutic outcomes associated with psychedelics. However, limited research has quantitatively explored the association between decreases in experiential avoidance and therapeutic outcomes associated with psychedelics. Therefore, in two prospective studies, using convenience samples of individuals with plans to use a psychedelic, we explored the impact of psychedelic use on experiential avoidance, depression severity, and suicidal ideation, as well as relationships between changes in these outcomes. Participants (Study 1, N=104; Study 2, N=254) completed self-report questionnaires of depression severity, suicidal ideation, and experiential avoidance: 1) before using a psychedelic (in ceremonial and non-ceremonial contexts), as well as 2) 2weeks and 3) 4-weeks after psychedelic use. Across both studies, repeated measures ANOVAs indicated significant decreases in experiential avoidance, depression severity, and suicidal ideation after psychedelic use. Furthermore, decreases in experiential avoidance were significantly associated with decreases in depression severity and suicidal ideation. These results suggest that psychedelics may lead to significant decreases in experiential avoidance, depression severity, and suicidal ideation. Additionally, these findings imply that reduced experiential avoidance may be a transdiagnostic mechanism mediating treatment success within psychedelic therapy. We conclude that integrating psychedelics with psychotherapeutic interventions that target experiential avoidance (e.g. ACT) may enhance therapeutic outcomes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Post-Psychedelic Reductions in Experiential Avoidance Are Associated With Decreases in Depression Severity and Suicidal Ideation

Zeifman

Wagner²,

Watts

et al. 2020

Front. Psychiatry

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“…Two recent studies investigating the effects of ayahuasca, another psychedelic substance with similar 5-HT2A agonistic action as psilocybin was shown to increase emotion regulation and some aspects of mindfulness in healthy volunteers (162,118). Of note, mindfulness was not increased in participants with borderline personality disorder traits (118). This may bear meaningful clinical implications, as people with certain psychopathologies, including depression, might be less receptive to a psychedelicinduced enhancement of mindfulness.…”

Section: Moodmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Whether the single or combined practice in psychiatric patients would be beneficial is another question. Two recent studies investigating the effects of ayahuasca, another psychedelic substance with similar 5-HT2A agonistic action as psilocybin was shown to increase emotion regulation and some aspects of mindfulness in healthy volunteers (162,118). Of note, mindfulness was not increased in participants with borderline personality disorder traits (118).…”

Section: Moodmentioning

confidence: 94%

Depression, Mindfulness, and Psilocybin: Possible Complementary Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Psilocybin in the Treatment of Depression. A Review

Heuschkel

Kuypers

2020

Front. Psychiatry

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Depression is a major public health problem that affects approximately 4.4% of the global population. Since conventional pharmacotherapies and psychotherapies are only partially effective, as demonstrated by the number of patients failing to achieve remission, alternative treatments are needed. Mindfulness meditation (MM) and psilocybin represent two promising novel treatments that might even have complementary therapeutic effects when combined. Since the current literature is limited to theoretical and empirical underpinnings of either treatment alone, the present review aimed to identify possible complementary effects that may be relevant to the treatment of depression. To that end, the individual effects of MM and psilocybin, and their underlying working mechanisms, were compared on a non-exhaustive selection of six prominent psychological and biological processes that are well known to show impairments in patients suffering from major depression disorder, that is mood, executive functioning, social skills, neuroplasticity, core neural networks, and neuroendocrine and neuroimmunological levels. Based on predefined search strings used in two online databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) 1129 articles were identified. After screening title and abstract for relevance related to the question, 82 articles were retained and 11 were added after reference list search, resulting in 93 articles included in the review. Findings show that MM and psilocybin exert similar effects on mood, social skills, and neuroplasticity; different effects were found on executive functioning, neural core networks, and neuroendocrine and neuroimmune system markers. Potential mechanisms of MM's effects are enhanced affective self-regulation through mental strategies, optimization of stress reactivity, and structural and functional adjustments of prefrontal and limbic areas; psilocybin's effects might be established via attenuation of cognitive associations through deep personal insights, cognitive disinhibition, and global neural network disintegration. It is suggested that, when used in combination, MM and psilocybin could exert complementary effects by potentiating or prolonging mutual positive effects, for example, MM potentially facilitating psilocybin-induced peak

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“…Observational studies of ceremonially administered ayahuasca have reported lasting effects of serenity, relaxation and inner peace 1–2 weeks following a single session,47 with sustained reductions in a scale measuring minor psychopathological symptoms, including anxiety, as well as reductions in the personality trait of harm avoidance, found in one of two subgroups at 6 months 48. Increases in scores in the non-judging subscale of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (a construct that measures acceptance and a non-evaluative stance towards thoughts and emotions49), for which higher scores have previously been linked to a reduced level of anxiety and depression,50 have also been reported following ayahuasca administration,51 including in a group of subjects with borderline personality disorder traits 52. An open-label trial conducted on an inpatient psychiatric unit reported a decrease in the anxious depression subscale of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale following a single dose of ayahuasca,53 and a randomised, double-blind study comparing ayahuasca with placebo found significant decreases in baseline panic-like symptoms (although not in state or trait anxiety), during the actual drug experience 54.…”

Section: Pharmacologically Assisted Psychosocial Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders in the 21st century: A call for novel approaches

2019

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While limited advances have occurred in the past 30 years in the pharmacological management of anxiety and stressrelated disorders, novel molecular pathways both within and without the monoamine systems are currently under investigation and offer promising new avenues for more effective future treatments. Enhancing psychotherapy approaches with pharmacological compounds offers the potential to not only transform the standard of care of these conditions, but more broadly would introduce a paradigm shift in the way medications and their role in psychiatric care are conceptualised. Although further human trials and more translational research are sorely needed, continuing to pursue innovative mechanisms and treatments is hoped to yield substantial results in the coming decades and a departure from the reliance on chemical agents of the 20th century.

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Ayahuasca improves emotion dysregulation in a community sample and in individuals with borderline-like traits

Cited by 57 publications

References 56 publications

Post-Psychedelic Reductions in Experiential Avoidance Are Associated With Decreases in Depression Severity and Suicidal Ideation

Post-Psychedelic Reductions in Experiential Avoidance Are Associated With Decreases in Depression Severity and Suicidal Ideation

Depression, Mindfulness, and Psilocybin: Possible Complementary Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Psilocybin in the Treatment of Depression. A Review

Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders in the 21st century: A call for novel approaches

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