Set, setting and substance in ayahuasca ceremonies and their association with altered self-awareness experiences: An exploratory investigation

Psychedelics, such as ayahuasca, have shown therapeutic potential and are known to alter self-awareness dimensions. Recent studies have focused on the antidepressant properties of ayahuasca, showing that changes in self-perception such as ego-dissolution and mystical experiences are related to therapeutic outcomes. However, limited research has addressed how the individual's mindset (set), environment (setting), substance-related, or sociodemographic characteristics contribute to alterations in self-awareness during ayahuasca use. This exploratory study recruited 483 participants to answer an online survey before and after attending ayahuasca ceremonies. Hierarchical regressions were calculated with outcomes of self-awareness (e.g., the Ego Dissolution Inventory, the Mystical Experience Questionnaire) and correlates such as sociodemographic characteristics, variables related to substance (e.g., perceived dose intensity), set (e.g., psychological traits), and setting (e.g., presence of caretakers). Participants’ set was the strongest correlate of altered self-awareness experiences, with contributions of baseline aberrant salience, interoceptive sensibility, metaphysical beliefs, and spiritual well-being. Substance variables also provided contributions for a few constructs, specifically greater intensity of altered self-awareness experiences with ayahuasca perceived dosage and fewer with concomitant cannabis or sananga ( Tabernaemontana sananho ) use. Setting and sociodemographic variables were not strong correlates. Given the exploratory design, associations are interpreted from the magnitude of standardized coefficients and effect sizes, with false discovery rate corrections reported at two levels. The remaining associations are reported as exploratory trends. These findings are discussed in relation to clinical implications and the phenomenology of the psychedelic experience. Not applicable.