A study conducted in the Netherlands has found that individuals who regularly participate in ayahuasca ceremonies experience better overall well-being, fewer chronic or lifestyle-related diseases, increased physical activity, and a more balanced diet compared to the general population of the Netherlands. Despite this group’s higher usage of illegal drugs, they did not report any associated harms. The study, titled “Ayahuasca and Public Health II: Health Status in a Large Sample of Ayahuasca-Ceremony Participants in the Netherlands,” was published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.
Ayahuasca is a traditional psychedelic brew used by indigenous Amazonian communities for spiritual and healing purposes. It typically consists of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and various plant leaves, with Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana being the most common. The active components, including the compound DMT (dimethyltryptamine), induce intense hallucinogenic experiences when consumed.
Ayahuasca ceremonies have gained popularity worldwide due to their potential to facilitate deep introspection, spiritual insights, and therapeutic benefits. As the practice has become more popular in the West, concerns have been raised about its impact on health. However, scientific studies indicate that consumers generally tolerate ayahuasca well, both immediately after consumption and with prolonged ritual use. Research also suggests that ayahuasca abuse is rare, while it appears to have positive effects on mental health symptoms and overall well-being.
The study’s lead author, Maja Kohek, and her colleagues aimed to assess the health risks associated with regular participation in ayahuasca ceremonies. They were also interested in understanding the coping strategies employed by regular ayahuasca users and how they manage stressful situations.
Participants were recruited through a network of ayahuasca ceremony facilitators in the Netherlands, consisting of spiritual leaders and local ayahuasca ritual practitioners. A total of 377 individuals who regularly partook in ayahuasca ceremonies took part in the study. Fifty percent of the participants were female, with an average age of 49, and 85% identified as Dutch.
The participants completed an online survey that covered various aspects including general and mental health, physical activity, dietary habits, social support, values, and coping mechanisms. They also provided demographic information and answered questions relating to COVID-19, with a focus on changes in substance usage. The inclusion of COVID-19 related questions was due to the study’s data collection coinciding with pandemic-induced lockdowns, which could have impacted participants’ behaviors.
The results showed that 58% of the participants had started using ayahuasca more than five years ago, and 30% had engaged in over 100 ayahuasca ceremonies throughout their lives. Forty percent of the participants were associated with the Santo Daime church, a religious group known for combining Christian, indigenous, and Afro-Brazilian spiritual beliefs and incorporating ayahuasca into their rituals. Additionally, 41% of the participants attended neoshamanic ayahuasca sessions led by local guides.
An astounding 99.8% of the participants reported that ayahuasca had a positive impact on their personal lives. Sixty-four percent identified specific benefits, such as improved health and well-being. Ninety-nine percent experienced increased happiness, optimism, self-awareness, peace and calmness, confidence and self-respect, sociability and empathy, and better emotional control. Only a small 8.5% reported encountering or observing undesirable incidents during ceremonies.
Ninety-five percent of the participants rated their health as good or excellent, with a higher proportion having a standard body mass index compared to the general Dutch population. The participants also had lower rates of chronic conditions, hypertension, elevated cholesterol levels, and diabetes. The majority expressed feelings of happiness, tranquility, and vitality.
Compared to the general population, the participants relied less on prescribed medications and utilized more herbal solutions. However, their consumption of cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms, ecstasy, and LSD was higher. Impressively, 74% of the participants adhered to national exercise guidelines, engaging in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Their diet consisted of higher intakes of vegetables, legumes, and fruits, but reduced consumption of grains and meat.
Those with a longer history of ayahuasca use exhibited proactive problem-solving coping strategies. Individuals involved in religious ceremonies were more likely to adopt these strategies.
The researchers concluded that “the findings of this study suggest that long-term participants in ayahuasca ceremonies have better general well-being, fewer chronic and lifestyle diseases, and are more physically active compared to the normative Dutch data, as well as having a more balanced diet.”
This study provides valuable insights into the characteristics of Dutch ayahuasca users. However, it is important to note that the study design does not allow for any cause-and-effect conclusions based on the data. Additionally, all participants were volunteers with positive attitudes towards ayahuasca, so individuals who had negative experiences and discontinued its use were not included in the study.
The study, authored by Maja Kohek, Genís Onaa, Michiel van Elk, Rafael Guimarães Dos Santos, Jaime E. C. Hallak, Miguel Ángel Alcázar-Córcoles, and José Carlos Bouso, can be found under the title “Ayahuasca and Public Health II: Health Status in a Large Sample of Ayahuasca-Ceremony Participants in the Netherlands“.
