PANEL: Ayahuasca-Assisted Therapy for Addiction & Stress w/ Argento, Capler, Thomas, Lucas & Tupper

Ayahuasca assisted therapy is presented as a transformative intervention for individuals struggling with addiction, trauma, and chronic stress. This qualitative study explores the self-reported experiences of participants who engaged in multi-modal retreats that incorporated traditional indigenous practices, demonstrating significant improvements in emotional regulation, interpersonal connections, and substance use cessation. Participants reported that the therapy enabled them to confront underlying traumas, fostering a deeper sense of self-acceptance and spiritual connectivity that traditional treatment methods often fail to achieve. The research further provides a framework for understanding addiction through the lens of connectedness, highlighting how external and internal disconnections exacerbate substance-dependent behaviors, while communal integration supports lasting recovery.