Abstract

DIAS DE JESUS JUNIOR, Tenes; DE OLIVEIRA SALVI, Jeferson  and  RAMOS EVANGELISTA, Dilson Henrique. Ayahuasca, quality of life and the hope in recovering of addicts: case reports. Acta toxicol. argent. [online]. 2015, vol.23, n.1, pp.53-61. ISSN 1851-3743.

The continuous use of Ayahuasca is the aim of various studies due to few preclinical and clinical data related to security in relation to its prolonged use. Scientific evidences demonstrate the benefits of psychotherapeutic efficacy in the treatment of chronic alcoholism and other drugs abuse. This research is an observational study of reported cases aiming to describe and relate the experience of the religious ritual that uses Ayahuasca to the discontinuity of the overuse of chemicals. Participants (n = 6) consisted of members of a religious community that makes use of ritualistic infusion of the plants Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria Viridis. Through individual interviews, the history of each based on the period of use and the chemical substance used was recorded. Then specific questionnaires to determine the quality of life and level of hope were applied. Haematological examinations were performed to determine the possible hematopoietic disorders and finally, their satisfaction in participating in the research was evaluated. Low values (p>0.05) for the domains of functional capacity and limitations due to emotional problems were observed. The average level of hope was significant (p=0.02) and sustained positive outlook recorded in the interviews, the hematological values were within normal limits and the degree of participant satisfaction was high with the search. It was concluded that the use of Ayahuasca through a religious segment contributed mainly to the abandonment or discontinuation of the use of chemical substances, being considered a form of treatment.

Keywords : Chemical dependence; Hoasca; Quality of life; Case reports.

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