Ayahuasca Workshop: Ethnobotany, Safety, and Expansion - Part 3/5

Researchers present findings from a study examining the neuropsychological and psychiatric state of adolescents who consume ayahuasca within the União do Vegetal church in Brazil. The study compares two groups to assess potential risks, finding that those who partake in the ritual show no significant signs of increased psychiatric problems or cognitive impairment compared to the control group. Insights into the study design reveal that the control group members were largely from a higher socioeconomic background compared to the ayahuasca users. This status gap is identified as a potential confounding variable that influences cognitive test performance. The presentation underscores the challenges of conducting objective research on regulated psychedelic use and the importance of accounting for broader environmental and socioeconomic factors.