Ayahuasca, the psychedelic brew that originated in the Amazon, has become popular among Brooklyn hipsters and Silicon Valley biohackers alike as a recreational drug and ticket to a living room spiritual experience. But this powerful medicine, which contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine — better known as the “God molecule,” DMT — has caught the eye of scientists in recent years by showing its significant healing potential for people living with mental health issues.
In a study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers at University of Exeter and University College London continue to push further in this largely unexplored field, reporting that people who use ayahuasca in the past year report lower levels of problematic alcohol use than those who had taken LSD or psilocybin mushrooms. The ayahuasca users in their study also reported higher levels of well-being than both their psychedelic-using peers and those who don’t use psychedelics. More >>