Therapeutic Effects of Ceremonial Ayahuasca Use for Methamphetamine Use Disorders and Other Mental Health Challenges: Case Studies in an Indigenous Community in Sonora, Mexico.

This paper describes three case studies from an outpatient intercultural therapeutic program founded and run by Yaqui health professionals and traditional healers to serve members of the Yaqui tribe residing in Sonora, Mexico. This pilot therapeutic program has been designed specifically for Indigenous individuals, incorporating the ceremonial use of naturally derived psychedelics in addressing substance use disorders and other mental health issues. The program employs a community-based approach, integrating various traditional Indigenous healing practices like the sweatlodge (temazcal), medicinal plant preparations, and the ritualistic use of selected psychedelics from natural sources (such as ayahuasca, peyote, and secretions from Incilius alvarius). These approaches are complemented by culturally attuned group and individual psychotherapy sessions, as well as group sports, community meals, collaborative construction efforts for a permanent clinical infrastructure, and cultural engagements such as art, crafts, and collective music. To evaluate the program's efficacy, safety, and cultural implications, an ongoing observational study is being conducted by an international team of researchers. The preliminary results demonstrate therapeutic progress and improved psychometric outcomes observed in the three case studies presented, indicating promise for this intercultural therapeutic intervention.

Prevalence and socio-economic factors affecting the use of traditional medicine among adults of Katikekile Subcounty, Moroto District, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: In Uganda generally and in rural areas in particular, use of traditional medicine is a common practice, yet there remains lack of evidence on the overall utilization of traditional medicine and there are many aspects that remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the use of traditional medicine and factors associated with this among the adults of Katikekile Subcounty in Moroto district. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study using quantitative and qualitative methods. Interviews among 323 respondents, and focus group discussions were carried out among village traditional birth attendants, village health team members, and traditional health providers. RESULTS: Use of traditional medicine among the adults of Katikekile Subcounty was 68%. Usage was more prevalent among older people, and the majority of the adults used traditional medicine often as their first line-treatment for any illness. Herbs used for traditional medicines are usually locally available and free-of-charge. Long distance to health-facility based health care services, and medical fees contributed to the use of traditional medicine. CONCLUSION: Use of traditional medicine among adults of Katikekile Subcounty in Moroto in the Karamoja region in Uganda was high, and majority of the adults often used traditional medicine as first line-treatment. Both socioeconomic and health sector factors were associated with use of traditional medicine.

Evidencia científica de las propiedades medicinales de plantas para su uso en la medicina intercultural de Chile / Scientific evidence of the medicinal properties of plants for use in intercultural medicine in Chile

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo confirmar la evidencia científica existente de las propiedades terapéuticas de plantas chilenas que son utilizadas como medicamento por Machis de las regiones de La Araucanía y Los Ríos. El estudio se realizó en dos períodos en cuatro comunidades mapuches de esas regiones, entre Julio 2015 a marzo 2016 y segunda etapa entre agosto a diciembre 2017. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas con las Machis, donde las informaciones entregadas sobre las aplicaciones medicinales fueron consensuadas entre los participantes. Las plantas identificadas fueron comparadas en sus propiedades con la evidencia experimental conocida, verificando científicamente las propiedades indicadas. Los resultados ofrecen un criterio adicional para la selección y uso de plantas en dolencias existentes en la población chilena. Los resultados de este estudio corroboran para algunas especies de plantas utilizadas, sus propiedades medicinales declaradas en enfermedades oncológicas. Dichos efectos exigen un estudio clínico necesario para su uso terapéutico.

The objective of this study was to confirm the existing scientific evidence of the therapeutical properties of Chilean plants to be used as medicine by Machis of the Araucanía and Los Ríos Chilean regions. The study was performed in two periods at four mapuche communities of these regions, between July 2015 to March 2016 and the second stage from August to December 2017. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the Machis, where the information delivered on the medicinal applications it was agreed among all participants. The identified plants were compared in their properties with the experimental evidence reported, verifying the indicated properties. The results offer an additional criteria for selecting plants to be used in the corresponding diseases of Chilean population. The results of this study support for some species of plants used their medicinal properties on oncological diseases. These facts require the necessary clinical support in order to prove as therapeutic treatment.