J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jul 25;112(3):507-13. Epub 2007 Apr 25
Santos RG, Landeira-Fernandez J, Strassman RJ, Motta V, Cruz AP.
Departamento de Processos Psicológicos Básicos, Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília-DF 70910-900, Brazil. banisteria@gmail.com
The use of the hallucinogenic brew ayahuasca, obtained from infusing the shredded stalk of the malpighiaceous plant Banisteriopsis caapi with the leaves of other plants such as Psychotria viridis, is growing in urban centers of Europe, South and North America in the last several decades. Despite this diffusion, little is known about its effects on emotional states. The present study investigated the effects of ayahuasca on psychometric measures of anxiety, panic-like and hopelessness in members of the Santo Daime, an ayahuasca-using religion. Standard questionnaires were used to evaluate state-anxiety (STAI-state), trait-anxiety (STAI-trait), panic-like (ASI-R) and hopelessness (BHS) in participants that ingested ayahuasca for at least 10 consecutive years. The study was done in the Santo Daime church, where the questionnaires were administered 1h after the ingestion of the brew, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled procedure. While under the acute effects of ayahuasca, participants scored lower on the scales for panic and hopelessness related states. Ayahuasca ingestion did not modify state- or trait-anxiety. The results are discussed in terms of the possible use of ayahuasca in alleviating signs of hopelessness and panic-like related symptoms.
PMID: 17532158 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
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http://www.maps.org/w3pb/new/2007/2007_Santos_22932_1.pdf
Dear Editors,
I would like to thank you very much for posting my article in your website.
Thank you,
Rafael G. dos Santos
yo! Bro the effects of Ayahuasca are messed up. 24 hours of pure halluciogen and it brings back old memories. I believe that this would change the world completely but since its illegal and the only way to find it is in South America it is going to be hard to make people found their ways out of missery.
I would like to try Ayahuasca for my Depression from which I’ve suffered long years (<15) How could I take advantage of this natural remedy's properties? Who do I need to contact?