Ayahuasca is a virile psychedelic that ’s recently come into vogue among hipsters backpacking around South America . endemic Amazonian communities have been using this drug as a unearthly , psychological , and physical aid for centuries , but it ’s lately gather a cult following whose counselor believe it hold the force to process anxiety , PTSD , dependence , and depression .
The Nature journalScientific Reportshas just issue a new musical composition of research on ayahuasca , making it the orotund and most authorized scientific study on the matter to date . The findings hint this Amazonian “ Shaman ’s Brew ” might be linked to better everyday well - being , and potentially offer a treatment for alcoholism and depressive disorder .
For the uninitiate , ayahuasca is a psychedelic brewmade by boiling the folio of the ayahuasca vine ( Banisteriospsis caapi ) with a plant called chacruna ( Psychotria viridis ) . Chacruna contains a stiff psychedelic compound called N , N - Dimethyltryptamine , better recognise as DMT . queerly enough , this strong psychedelic compound can be naturally ground in many animal and plants .
research worker from University College London ( UCL ) and the University of Exeter in the UK sifted through the Global Drug Survey data point of over 96,000 the great unwashed worldwide and found 527 ayahuasca users . This group reported higher world-wide well - being , along with less problematic alcohol and drug use , over the old 12 months than other answerer in the survey .
" These findings add some support to the belief that ayahuasca could be an important and powerful pecker in treating low and intoxicant exercise disorderliness , " lead generator Dr Will Lawn , from UCL , said in astatement .
" late inquiry has demonstrate ayahuasca ’s potency as a psychiatric medicine , and our current study provides further evidence that it may be a safe and bright treatment . ”
However , as the research worker themselves note , it ’s important not to get in advance of ourselves with these findings . While they provide some interesting result , sturdier sketch are still require before we jump to any grand conclusion .
" It is important to note that these data are strictly experimental and do not demonstrate causality , ” articulate Lawn .
" Randomised hold in test must be carried out to fully examine ayahuasca ’s ability to help treat humor and addiction disorder . ”
aged source Professor Celia Morgan added : " If ayahuasca is to represent an important treatment , it is vital that its poor and prospicient - full term effects are investigate , and safety give . "
Still , this is sure food for view . Ayahuasca has long held the report of being a life-threatening narcotic not fit for scientific written report . However , more and more evidence is suggesting that at the very least , this mysterious drug deserves a more thorough and wide investigation .
