ADHD symptoms were reduced after an ayahuasca retreat experience.
- Ayahuasca is a traditional psychoactive brew from South America, used both in spiritual ceremonies and for medicinal purposes.
- Symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are characteristic of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Researchers found that an ayahuasca retreat reduced these symptoms in 49 individuals.
A pilot study looking at a small group of adults who participated in an ayahuasca retreat found significant reductions in levels of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity after their stay.
Ayahuasca is a traditional psychoactive brew from South America, used both in spiritual ceremonies and for medicinal purposes. It is made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub, which together form a powerful mixture containing the hallucinogenic compound DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine).
In their new study, WaiFung Tsang of Onaya Science and colleagues sought to investigate the potential relationship between using ayahuasca in a traditional shamanic setting and reducing symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity , characteristics of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
ADHD symptoms and ayahuasca: the course of the study
The study was conducted at the Ayahuasca Foundation in Iquitos, Peru, an ayahuasca retreat and research center located in the Amazon rainforest.
Before participating in the retreat, participants completed an online questionnaire regarding their psychiatric and medical history. Participants accepted into the cohort were instructed to abstain from consuming illicit substances and medications and then follow dietary restrictions (excluding red meat, salt, sugar, and fat) for the two weeks preceding their arrival. The duration of the retreats varied from 8 days to 4 weeks, with participants deciding how many ceremonies they would attend.
The study ultimately focused on 49 adult individuals. 28 of them stayed 8 days, and 21 stayed between 2 and 4 weeks. Participants in the 8-day retreat attended 4 or 5 ceremonies, while longer stays included up to 11 ceremonies. 4 participants reported being diagnosed with ADHD.
Ayahuasca reduced ssymptoms of ADHD
Results for the entire group showed a reduction in ADHD symptoms. After the last ceremony, their levels of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity were lower.
“Although significant reductions were seen in both men and women following the ceremonies, further evidence is needed to determine the causality, mechanisms, and long-term effects of this.” conclude the researchers.
