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Ayahuasca enhances creative divergent thinking while decreasing conventional convergent thinking.

K P C Kuypers1, J Riba2, M de la Fuente Revenga2

  • 1Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. k.kuypers@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

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Ayahuasca consumption enhanced creative divergent thinking, a key aspect of psychological flexibility. This finding suggests potential benefits for psychotherapy and clinical trials investigating mental health treatments.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Psychopharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Ayahuasca, a South American psychotropic tea, contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and MAO-inhibiting alkaloids.
  • Traditionally used in Amazonian shamanism, ayahuasca is increasingly studied for therapeutic potential in substance use disorders and depression.
  • Previous research suggests ayahuasca may reduce judgmental processing and inner reactivity, aligning with mindfulness principles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of ayahuasca on creative thinking, specifically divergent thinking.
  • To assess if ayahuasca can enhance psychological flexibility through creative thinking modulation.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 26 participants was conducted at two ayahuasca workshops.
  • Creativity tests, including the Pattern/Line Meanings Test (PLMT) and Picture Concept Test (PCT), were administered before and during ayahuasca's acute effects.
  • The PCT assessed both divergent and convergent thinking, while the PLMT focused on divergent thinking.

Main Results:

  • Ayahuasca intake significantly altered thinking patterns as measured by the PCT.
  • Convergent thinking decreased following ayahuasca consumption.
  • Divergent thinking, a measure of creativity, significantly increased after ayahuasca intake.

Conclusions:

  • Ayahuasca consumption appears to enhance creative divergent thinking.
  • The observed increase in divergent thinking suggests improved psychological flexibility.
  • These findings support ayahuasca's potential to facilitate psychotherapeutic interventions and future clinical research.