Prior ayahuasca experience is associated with improved mental health: observational data from ritualistic settings

Abstract This observational survey study investigated the relationship between prior ayahuasca experience and mental health and mindset outcomes. Participants planning to attend an ayahuasca ceremony completed a survey before their upcoming ayahuasca use. Measures included substance use, depression, anxiety, stress, spiritual well-being, aberrant salience, and metaphysical beliefs. Participants were categorized into three groups according to their prior ayahuasca experience: naïve, low/moderate, and high-experience users. High-experience users reported significantly lower alcohol use, depression, stress, and anxiety, as well as higher spiritual well-being and stronger metaphysical beliefs. Aberrant salience scores were higher in both low- and high-experience groups compared to naïve users, with no differences observed between the two experienced groups. Tobacco use differences were modest, and other cognitive measures showed smaller effects. These findings suggest that greater prior experience with ayahuasca is associated with improved psychological and spiritual well-being and stronger metaphysical beliefs, with more limited effects on substance use and cognitive variables, highlighting areas for further investigation into its potential therapeutic applications.