Effects of The use of Ayahuasca In religious ceremonies on the emotional aspects of the participant

Abstract

To analyze the therapeutic effects of ayahuasca on emotional aspects in individuals who use the brew in a religious context. This qualitative, observational, and exploratory study was conducted between March and April 2021. The study sample consisted of 10 participants who were adherents of the Santo Daime ayahuasca religion, affiliated with the Céu de Francisco Spiritual Center. Among them, five were male and five were female, with ages ranging from 21 to 42 years, all residing in the city of Paulo Afonso, Bahia. Participant observation, field diaries, and semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data. Data analysis was performed through content analysis. The majority of participants reported positive emotional experiences after using ayahuasca. These positive feelings extended beyond individual benefits, encompassing improvements in interpersonal relationships outside the religious context. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the therapeutic effects of ayahuasca, identifying significant changes in their emotions and how they confronted daily challenges. These changes were accompanied by improvements in interpersonal relationships, self-awareness, and spirituality. This study revealed a positive bias in the results due to the nature of the sample, attracting participants who experienced therapeutic benefits with ayahuasca. It is important to note that limitations include the absence of reports from individuals who experienced negative effects of ayahuasca due to the nature of the sample. Furthermore, the qualitative nature and convenience sampling of this study hinder the generalization of results. Nevertheless, these qualitative findings provide a foundation for future comparative quantitative studies that can confirm and expand upon the results of this study.