Ayahuasca-inspired DMT/harmine formulation alters creative thinking dynamics during artistic creation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Claims suggest psychedelics enhance creativity, but effects on distinct cognitive stages are unclear.
• This study examines an ayahuasca-inspired formulation (DMT/HAR) and harmine (HAR) on micro and macro creativity.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate acute effects of DMT/HAR and HAR on micro-level (divergent/convergent thinking) and macro-level (creative process dynamics) creativity.
• Explore the predictive value of subjective experiences on creative outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject design with 30 healthy males.
• Assessed micro-creativity via picture concept and alternative uses tasks.
• Examined macro-creativity using a painting task and creative process report diary.

Main Results:

• DMT/HAR impaired convergent thinking, especially in those with higher baseline reasoning.
• DMT/HAR and HAR reduced incubation-related transitions; DMT/HAR decreased incubation-to-illumination transitions.
• Subjective experiences predicted divergent, but not convergent, thinking.

Conclusions:

• Psychedelic effects on creativity are not uniform, impacting cognition and dynamic processes.
• Ecologically valid tasks reveal psychedelics influence creative process dynamics and insight pathways.
• Integrating cognitive, phenomenological, and process-level data is crucial for understanding psychedelic-influenced creativity.