Traditional Amazonian drug called ayahuasca linked to improved sense of wellbeing

Author: University of Exeter

(Photo credit: agsandrew)

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A psychedelic drug traditionally used in South America improves people’s general sense of wellbeing and may offer a treatment for alcoholism and depression, new research suggests.

Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew often used in the Amazon region, contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT) – an illegal class A drug in the UK.

Previous research has suggested that psychedelic drugs such as LSD and magic mushrooms can help alcoholics tackle their addiction.

Using Global Drug Survey data from more than 96,000 people worldwide, researchers from the University of Exeter and University College London found that ayahuasca users reported lower problematic alcohol use than people who took LSD or magic mushrooms.

Ayahuasca users also reported higher general wellbeing over the previous 12 months than other respondents in the survey.

“These findings lend some support to the notion that ayahuasca could be an important and powerful tool in treating depression and alcohol use disorders,” said lead author Dr Will Lawn, of University College London.

“Recent research has demonstrated ayahuasca’s potential as a psychiatric medicine, and our current study provides further evidence that it may be a safe and promising treatment.
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“It is important to note that these data are purely observational and do not demonstrate causality.

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