Different psychedelic experiences may sound similar to untrained ears. But choosing which substance to use in therapy is complex. Each substance has its distinct benefits. LSD (or Acid) and Ayahuasca are both psychedelic tools that have been useful for improving mental health. Each offers different experiences. Let’s compare the LSD vs Ayahuasca experience in psychedelic therapy.
LSD (sometimes called acid) is a potent psychedelic, originally engineered from a fungus that grows on rye wheat. It typically comes in the form of slim tablets. Since it’s very potent, its therapeutic dosages are low.
Everyone’s experience of LSD is different – but many people describe it as powerful. People often describe sensory changes under LSD, and its effects can last up to twelve hours.
Ayahuasca is a naturally occurring psychedelic that’s been used by aboriginal communities in the Amazon. Ayahuasca has been found with aboriginal remains dating back over a millennium. It’s typically consumed via tea and comes from a mixture of two different Amazonian plants. Ayahuasca experiences typically last 4-6 hours and can include hallucinations and sensory effects.
In the last few decades, both of these substances have been studied as adjuncts to evidence-based therapy. Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a new paradigm that includes – therapeutic talk sessions as well as active substance sessions.
This model has helped patients with. . .
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Eating disorders
- Substance dependency
- And more
To compare LSD vs Ayahuasca – let’s first get really clear on:
- Experiences for each substance
- Any side effects they may have
- How they’ve been used in trials and therapy
LSD-Assisted Therapy
People often describe the LSD experience as “trippy,” involving changes to how they perceive colors and sounds. Some people may experience euphoria and find things funnier on LSD, while others may be fearful or anxious. Many people experience all of these emotions. LSD experiences may be personally meaningful. Many people report lasting positive effects even after the acute psychedelic experience is over.
LSD is thought to help with cognitive flexibility. This means that it can make people more suggestible to new ideas and less set in their ways. Most of us have fairly rigid beliefs about ourselves and the world. LSD is thought to help make beliefs more fluid so that people are open to different ways of thinking.
Scholars think that LSD does this by working on specific brain feedback loops – which change how we process information. These loops affect how we think about both internal and external stimuli. This may explain why people associate LSD with changes to colors, sounds, and touch. This could also explain why people may experience “aha” moments during the LSD experience.
LSD-assisted therapy is not as far along in development as MDMA and psilocybin. It’s been trialed to treat a range of mental and physical problems, including
- Alcohol use disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
Here are some of the most recent findings on LSD-assisted therapy:
- A 2022 trial with 42 participants found that LSD-assisted therapy helped people experience lasting and noticeable decreases in anxiety and depression. These findings are especially strong. This study lasted 16 weeks – with blinding for participants and clinicians, controlling for placebo, and crossover design.
- A 2022 systematic review found that results of LSD trials on alcohol-use disorder are mixed but promising.
- A 2022 article posits that LSD and other classic psychedelics may be especially helpful for people with anxiety related to terminal illness. These substances could help people integrate their fears and live more easily in the last days of their lives.
- Clinical trials are yet to come, but one 2020 research review showed that LSD may be an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s dementia.
Ayahuasca-Assisted Therapy
People have described the Ayahuasca experience as “transcendent” and “mystical”. A large part of the spiritual experience around Ayahuasca is a transformation in consciousness. Many people report that Ayahuasca has a life-changing effect on them. One report even found that people can have such a profound experience from Ayahuasca that they feel like they’re no longer the same person.
Ayahuasca typically contains another psychedelic you may have heard of: DMT. This molecule (N, N-dimethyltryptamine) is a powerful substance sometimes called “the spirit molecule”. It’s found in several animals and plants – and is also produced in the human body. Some researchers theorize that this powerful molecule causes survivors of near-death experiences to report feelings of transcendence.
DMT is very powerful, but 5-Me0-DMT is 4 -10 times more potent.
Research into Ayahuasca as a mental health treatment has been slower. Ayahuasca is earlier in research and development than LSD and other psychedelics. But it’s shown promising results in a few specific areas.
Check out these trials using Ayahuasca-assisted therapy:
- A 2021 open-label trial found that after just one dose of Ayahuasca, people with major depressive disorder had markedly less suicidal ideation.
- A 2020 review found that Ayahuasca could be a beneficial treatment for eating disorders.
- A 2016 paper posited that Ayahuasca could be helpful for substance use disorder, PTSD, and degenerative diseases.
Comparing the LSD vs Ayahuasca Experience
Which Substance is Right for You? LSD vs Ayahuasca
Many psychedelic explorers and therapists have a substance that they prefer to use for therapeutic benefits. Depending on your specific needs, one or the other may be better for you. Some of this answer may also depend on accessibility .
For example, Ayahuasca may be more appropriate if you’re seeking treatment for an eating disorder. On the other hand, LSD has shown benefits for people with life-threatening illnesses.
