Cited by 108Psychedelics and Drug StudiesParanormal Experiences and BeliefsReligion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Ayahuasca Tourism: Participants in Shamanic Rituals and their Personality Styles, Motivation, Benefits and Risks

Kavenská, Veronika, Simonová, Hana·2015·Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

Abstract

Ayahuasca continues to attract tourists to South America, where there has been a growth in the number of centers offering hallucinogenic ayahuasca experiences. The aims of this study were to (1) discover the reasons foreigners seek this type of experience; (2) define what an ayahuasca experience entails; (3) discover subjective perceptions of ayahuasca's benefits and risks; and (4) describe personality styles of participants using the personality questionnaire (PSSI). Participants (N=77) were persons who had travelled to South America to use ayahuasca. Among the most frequent motivations were curiosity, desire to treat mental health problems, need for self-knowledge, interest in psychedelic medicine, spiritual development, and finding direction in life. Frequently mentioned benefits included self-knowledge, change in the way one relates to oneself, spiritual development, improved interpersonal relations, overcoming mental and physical problems, and gaining a new perspective on life. Stated potential risks included lack of trust in the shaman or organizer, inaccurate information provided by the shaman or organizer, and exposure to dangerous situations. PSSI results showed that people using ayahuasca scored significantly above the norm on the scales of intuition, optimism, ambition, charm, and helpfulness and significantly lower on the scales of distrust and quietness.

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Crossref · 10.1080/02791072.2015.1094590

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29 of 29 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • There are many personal reports from ayahuasca users referring to the ayahuasca experiences as transformative ones that can be manifested as changes in personal values.

    “there are many personal reports from ayahuasca users referring to the ayahuasca experiences as transformative ones that can be manifested as changes in personal values (Kavenská and Simonová, 2015).”

    From Psychological variables implied in the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca: A contextual approach (2018) · cites this paper as Kavenská and Simonová, 2015

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Authors
Kavenská, V., & Simonová, H.
Affiliations
Palacký University Olomouc (CZ)
Corresponding author
Kavenská, Veronika
Venue
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
Published
2015-10-20
Volume
47
Issue
5
Pages
351-359
ISSN
  • 0279-1072 (ISSN-L)
  • 2159-9777
OpenAlex
W2150803086
Cited by
108
References
33
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2
FWCI
9.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Keywords
ayahuasca tourism, ayahuasca, shamanic rituals, personality styles, tourist motivation, subjective benefit, risk perception, psychedelic medicine, spiritual development, self-knowledge, South America
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Humans, Middle Aged, Motivation, Personality, Risk, Travel, Shamanism, Banisteriopsis

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