Abstract

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by intense cravings, habitual drug-seeking behavior, and unpleasant subjective experiences during abstinence, leading to mental distress for affected patients. Evidence suggests that ayahuasca, a psychoactive beverage of indigenous origin prepared from the plants Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, used in Amazonian ancestral medicine and ritualistic contexts in various countries, as well as other psychedelic substances, may act as therapeutic agents in the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and substance dependence.

Furthermore, the lack of evidence regarding the subjects’ perception of group experiences and disease course calls for further studies in this context of ayahuasca use. In this regard, the present study aims to explore how the ritual use of ayahuasca in group settings, involving individuals with substance use disorders, can influence their understanding of the course of substance-related disorders and their ways of relating to them. Qualitative methods will be employed to investigate the perspectives of the researched individuals.

Specifically, 40 interviews will be conducted, accompanied by the administration of questionnaires, involving individuals aged 18 years or older who have used or are currently using ayahuasca during their substance use disorder(s). Participants will be included in the study upon freely giving their consent after being informed about the risks and benefits of the research. The interview transcripts will be subjected to thematic qualitative analysis, focusing on emerging themes, while the questionnaire results will be analyzed using statistical strategies as a complementary resource to the thematic analysis of the interviews.