Ayahuasca Bipolar Disorder Research
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Bipolar Disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, is a life-threatening condition which does not currently have an effective medical treatment that is free from debilitating side effects. Given the widely reported anti-depressant properties of ayahuasca, I am investigating whether ayahuasca is a safe and effective medicine for treating Bipolar Disorder.
Based in the Psychiatry Dept at Flinders University, halfway through my PhD investigating “The Therapeutic Potential of Ayahuasca for People with Bipolar Disorder”, I have discovered that complex variables determine whether people with Bipolar Disorder who drink ayahuasca have a positive therapeutic result, or a worsening of their manic/depressive symptoms. Now I am going to Brazil, where most of the scientific research into ayahuasca has been conducted, on a research field trip to deepen my understanding of this complex but potentially life-saving topic. I will be interviewing ayahuasca ceremony facilitators who have served ayahuasca to people with Bipolar Disorder, as well as medical professionals with such patients: the aim is to determine which factors make the difference between positive and negative results.
I have also been invited by ICEERS to present my work at the World Ayahuasca Conference in Rio Branco, Brazil. This is an opportunity to present my theory to the experts there, get feedback, and recruit interviewees for my research.
I have developed a theory that particular conditions of ceremony, drinking a particular brew of ayahuasca, can facilitate a mood-stabilizing medicinal benefit for people with Bipolar Disorder: similar to Lithium but without numbing emotional sensitivity, creativity and spiritual awareness. This theory was founded on the personal experience of successfully managing my own Bipolar Disorder with ayahuasca, as well as literature review and anecdotal evidence, and is now being tested with both qualitative and quantitative research methods. I have received theoretical affirmation and official support from multiple Professors of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, but I also need some funding support from you please.
I am seeking crowd-funding for travel and accomodation expenses to the World Ayahuasca Conference in Rio Branco, and the Universities in São Paulo: please support my work because this is a groundbreaking initiative.
My previous GoFundMe campaign resulted in successful outcomes: I co-presented “Introducing Ayahuasca Religion” to the Parliament of the World’s Religions (USA 2016), which was very well received and lead to the Executive Director of the Parliament issuing a letter acknowledging Santo Daime, União do Vegetal and indigenous ayahuasca traditions - all as valid religions. Thanks to all those who supported my work!
Click on the "Updates" tab for more details, including a video presentation, testimonials, photos etc.
Based in the Psychiatry Dept at Flinders University, halfway through my PhD investigating “The Therapeutic Potential of Ayahuasca for People with Bipolar Disorder”, I have discovered that complex variables determine whether people with Bipolar Disorder who drink ayahuasca have a positive therapeutic result, or a worsening of their manic/depressive symptoms. Now I am going to Brazil, where most of the scientific research into ayahuasca has been conducted, on a research field trip to deepen my understanding of this complex but potentially life-saving topic. I will be interviewing ayahuasca ceremony facilitators who have served ayahuasca to people with Bipolar Disorder, as well as medical professionals with such patients: the aim is to determine which factors make the difference between positive and negative results.
I have also been invited by ICEERS to present my work at the World Ayahuasca Conference in Rio Branco, Brazil. This is an opportunity to present my theory to the experts there, get feedback, and recruit interviewees for my research.
I have developed a theory that particular conditions of ceremony, drinking a particular brew of ayahuasca, can facilitate a mood-stabilizing medicinal benefit for people with Bipolar Disorder: similar to Lithium but without numbing emotional sensitivity, creativity and spiritual awareness. This theory was founded on the personal experience of successfully managing my own Bipolar Disorder with ayahuasca, as well as literature review and anecdotal evidence, and is now being tested with both qualitative and quantitative research methods. I have received theoretical affirmation and official support from multiple Professors of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, but I also need some funding support from you please.
I am seeking crowd-funding for travel and accomodation expenses to the World Ayahuasca Conference in Rio Branco, and the Universities in São Paulo: please support my work because this is a groundbreaking initiative.
My previous GoFundMe campaign resulted in successful outcomes: I co-presented “Introducing Ayahuasca Religion” to the Parliament of the World’s Religions (USA 2016), which was very well received and lead to the Executive Director of the Parliament issuing a letter acknowledging Santo Daime, União do Vegetal and indigenous ayahuasca traditions - all as valid religions. Thanks to all those who supported my work!
Click on the "Updates" tab for more details, including a video presentation, testimonials, photos etc.
Organizer
Benjamin Mudge
Organizer
Northcote VIC
