ADHD symptoms are reduced after ayahuasca retreat experience, study finds

A pilot study investigating a group of adults visiting an ayahuasca retreat in Peru found significant reductions in their levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity following their stay. These reductions occurred regardless of the duration of the retreat or the number of ayahuasca ceremonies attended. The paper was published in Drug Science.

Ayahuasca is a traditional South American psychoactive brew 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 create a potent mixture containing the hallucinogenic compound DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine).

Ayahuasca is typically drank as part of ceremonies typically led by a shaman or an experienced facilitator. These ceremonies are deeply rooted in South American indigenous practices, often associated with healing and spiritual exploration. After consuming the ayahuasca brew, participants enter a state of altered consciousness that can last several hours. This experience is often described as introspective and can lead to profound psychological and emotional insights.

Ayahuasca ceremonies are increasingly popular worldwide. Most often, they are organized as spiritual activities by religious organizations such as the Santo Daime Church or in the scope of specialized retreats, the most popular of which are found in Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador.

In their new study, WaiFung Tsang of Onaya Science and his colleagues conducted sought to investigate the potential relationship between ayahuasca use in traditional shamanic settings and reductions in self-reported symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, key characteristics of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood and often continues into adulthood.

The study was conducted at the Ayahuasca Foundation in Iquitos, Peru, an ayahuasca retreat and research center located in the Amazon rainforest. The primary aim of that retreat is to “provide healing through the use of ayahuasca administered legally in a traditional Shipibo setting adapted for tourists”.

Prior to attending the retreat, participants completed an online questionnaire from the Ayahuasca Foundation, screening for psychiatric and medical history. Accepted participants were instructed to abstain from illicit substances, prescribed medications, and to follow dietary restrictions (excluding red meat, salt, sugar, or fat) for two weeks before arrival. Those on medications were excluded from ceremonies. Retreat lengths varied from 8 days to 4 weeks, with participants deciding the number of ceremonies to attend.

The study included 49 adult participants. Twenty-eight stayed for 8 days, and 21 stayed between 2 to 4 weeks. Those on the 8-day retreat attended 4 or 5 ceremonies, while longer stays involved up to 11 ceremonies. Four participants self-reported a diagnosis of ADHD, but this was not medically verified.

Before their first and after their last ceremony all participants completed an assessment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms (the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale).

Results for the whole group showed a reduction in ADHD symptoms. After the last ceremony, their levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity were lower. These reductions were medium to large in size. Females reported fewer symptoms of inattention before taking ayahuasca compared to males, but after the ceremonies, males and females had similar levels of these symptoms. Female and males had similar levels of hyperactivity symptoms before the ceremonies, but females experienced a larger decrease after the ceremonies.

“This pilot study is the first attempt to explore whether ayahuasca use is associated with reductions in inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, the core features of ADHD, in a sample of mostly non-ADHD adults. Although significant reductions were found for both males and females following traditional shamanic ayahuasca ceremonies, further evidence is required to determine causality, mechanisms of change and whether there are long-term effects,” the researchers concluded.

This study contributes initial insights into the relationship between ayahuasca use and ADHD symptoms. However, only four participants were diagnosed with ADHD. The absence of a control group and reliance on self-reporting as the sole outcome measure make it impossible to conclusively attribute the observed changes to ayahuasca use, as they might result from other factors.

The study, “Can ayahuasca reduce inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity? A pilot study”, was authored by WaiFung Tsang, Simon GD Ruffell, Nigel Netzband, Angelina Jong, James Rucker, Quinton Deeley, and Jack Hollingdale.