Abstract:
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive Amazonian plant brew. It is usually made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine (Spruce ex Griseb. Morton, Malpighiaceae), which contains three primary harmala alkaloids, along with the leaves of Psychotria viridis (Ruiz et Pavon, Rubiaceae) in which the potent psychedelic dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is found. DMT-harmaloid concoctions have gained popularity in recent years, due to growing anecdotal and scientific reports of therapeutic benefits associated with their consumption. Ayahuasca is now ingested in a variety of different settings across the globe, from traditional ethnobotanical to so called \"neo-shamanic\" ceremonies. Furthermore, related preparations involving alternative sources of DMT and harmala alkaloids are becoming increasingly common as knowledge of ayahuasca continues to spread internationally. This article reviews the existing literature and draws on original qualitative data from a large cross-sectional study of ayahuasca drinkers, to propose a model of psychotherapeutic processes associated with the consumption of ayahuasca. We assert that it is these processes, facilitated by a range of neurobiological effects, that lead to beneficial mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Our proposed model identifies five key psychotherapeutic processes or effects inherent to the ayahuasca experience; somatic effects; introspection and emotional processing; increased Self-connection; increased spiritual connection, and finally the gaining of insights and new perspectives. We note some important differences in these processes compared with other classic psychedelics as well as the implications of the model for the therapeutic use of ayahuasca. Improved understanding of the psychotherapeutic processes involved with the ayahuasca experience will better equip practitioners to work with this potentially transformative concoction and enable the optimization of therapeutic treatment models for potential clinical use.
摘要:
Ayahuasca是一种精神活跃的亚马逊植物酿造。通常由Banisteriopsiscaapi藤本植物(云杉前Griseb。莫顿,马氏科),其中含有三种主要的harmala生物碱,连同Psychotriaviridis的叶子(RuizetPavon,茜草科),其中发现了有效的迷幻二甲基色胺(DMT)。近年来,DMT-horalaloid混合物越来越受欢迎,由于越来越多的轶事和科学报道与它们的消费相关的治疗益处。Ayahuasca现在在全球各种不同的环境中摄取,从传统的民族植物学到所谓的“新萨满教”仪式。此外,随着ayahuasca的知识继续在国际上传播,涉及DMT和harmala生物碱替代来源的相关制剂变得越来越普遍。本文回顾了现有的文献,并借鉴了来自Ayahuasca饮酒者的大型横断面研究的原始定性数据,提出了一种与食用ayahuasca相关的心理治疗过程模型。我们断言正是这些过程,由一系列神经生物学效应促进,导致有益的心理健康和福祉结果。我们提出的模型确定了ayahuasca体验固有的五个关键心理治疗过程或效果;躯体效果;内省和情绪处理;增加的自我联系;增加的精神联系,最后是获得见解和新观点。我们注意到与其他经典迷幻药相比,这些过程中的一些重要差异,以及该模型对治疗使用ayahuasca的影响。对与ayahuasca经验有关的心理治疗过程的更好理解将使从业者更好地使用这种潜在的变革性混合物,并能够优化潜在临床使用的治疗性治疗模型。