RESUMO

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Indigenous groups of the Amazon have developed intricate methods for the application of psychoactives, among which particularly the dieta or diet method of Peruvian-Amazonian traditional medicine stands out. It is a retreat-like intervention involving lengthy periods of social, behavioural, and alimentary restrictions, while ingesting specially prepared plant substances. The interplay of the dietary conditions and plants ingested sensitizes the dieter to receive healing, strength, guidance, and knowledge. From a clinical scientific point of view, the method has remained largely underexplored, but seems more pertinent than ever given the increasing interest in Amazonian psychoactive preparations including ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the burgeoning field of psychedelic-assisted therapies in general. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study offers a descriptive account and emic interpretation of the Peruvian-Amazonian dieta. More specifically we document in detail the procedure, its context and purpose of application, effects, modes of action, adverse effects, and risks, from the perspectives of a sample of Peruvian traditional healers. The Peruvian-Amazonian dieta is a multi-purpose method for making use of medicinal plants, many of which (but not all), are psychoactive; the current work especially focuses on its therapeutic applications in conjunction with psychoactives. METHODS: We interviewed 16 healers working in the Ucayali, San Martín, and Loreto provinces of Peru using a semi-structured interview approach. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The extensive data derived from these interviews were analysed by means of computer-assisted manifest qualitative content analysis using a theory-advancing approach. Over 500 coded text segments were categorized, resulting in 7 main theme clusters and corresponding sub-themes. RESULTS: The interviewed healers described a complex intervention with multifaceted applications (treatment, prevention, training) and effects in various domains (body, mind, spirit, energy). The process was portrayed as transformative, with benefits attributed to the effects of the so-called teacher plants in conjunction with the diet's conditions, along with the skill of the healer guiding the intervention. Further, a detailed risk assessment revealed sophisticated safety measures and tools designed to address adverse responses. The importance of adequate training of the healer that administers the diet was particularly highlighted in this context. CONCLUSIONS: The dieta is a central therapeutic concept and tool in Peruvian-Amazonian traditional medicine and a unique method for using psychoactive plants. Multidisciplinary health research that includes traditional treatment methods from Indigenous cultures, Amazonian and other, should not be neglected in the current global interest in psychedelic therapies; such research may in the long-term contribute to a more inclusive psychedelic research paradigm as well as healthcare practice in countries where rich traditional healing systems exist, and perhaps beyond. It may also contribute to the recognition of the Indigenous healers as not only historical forerunners, but also current leading experts in psychedelic medicine.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Objetivo: A última revisão sistemática das pesquisas físico-químicas sobre preparações homeopáticas foi publicada em 2003. O objetivo do presente estudo foi atualizar e ampliar o estado atual dos conhecimentos na área das propriedades físico-químicas das preparações homeopáticas. Na parte 1 do estudo objetivamos apresentar um panorama da literatura quanto à qualidade e métodos utilizados nas publicações. Na parte 2 objetivamos identificar as técnicas experimentais mais interessantes. Desta maneira, esperamos estar na posição de gerar hipóteses significativas quanto ao possível modo de ação das preparações homeopáticas. Métodos: Foi adotado um procedimento com 2 etapas: 1) pesquisa ampla da literatura, seguida de análise bibliométrica e da qualidade das publicações e, 2) análise qualitativa minuciosa das pesquisas físico-químicas individuais localizadas. Na presente publicação relatamos a etapa 1). Realizamos uma busca nas principais bases científicas de dados de publicações relatando pesquisas físico-químicas da homeopatia desde a sua origem até o final de 2015. As publicações foram avaliadas através de um sistema de pontuação, o Manuscript Information Score (MIS). Foram coletadas informações sobre o país de origem dos estudos e as técnicas experimentais utilizadas. Resultados: Localizamos 183 publicações (versus 44 na revisão anterior), 122 delas com MIS ≥ 5. A taxa de publicações na área foi ˜2 por ano entre as década de 1970 e 2000. Depois aumentou para mais de 5,5 publicações por ano. [...] Conclusões: As pesquisas físico-químicas sobre as preparações homeopáticas está aumentando tanto na quantidade e na qualidade das publicações. (AU)

Objectives: The last systematic review of physicochemical research performed on homeopathic preparations was published in 2003. The aim of the study is to update and expand the current state of knowledge in the area of physicochemical properties of homeopathic preparations. In part 1 of the study, we aim to present an overview of the literature with respect to publication quality and methods used. In part 2, we aim to identify the most interesting experimental techniques. With this, we aim to be in a position to generate meaningful hypotheses regarding a possible mode of action of homeopathic preparations. Methods: A two-step procedure was adopted: (1) an extensive literature search, followed by a bibliometric and quality analysis on the level of publications and (2) a thorough qualitative analysis of the individual physicochemical investigations found. In this publication, we report on step (1). We searched major scientific databases to find publications reporting physicochemical investigations of homeopathy from its origin to the end of 2015. Publications were assessed using a scoring scheme, the Manuscript Information Score (MIS). Information regarding country of origin of the research and experimental techniques used was extracted. Results: We identified 183 publications (compared to 44 in the last review), 122 of which had an MIS ‡5. The rate of publication in the field was *2 per year from the 1970s until 2000. Afterward, it increased to over 5.5 publications per year. [...]Conclusions: Physicochemical research into homeopathic preparations is increasing both in terms of quantity and quality of the publications. (AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Objetivo: A última revisão sistemática das pesquisas físico-químicas sobre preparações homeopáticas foi publicada em 2003. O objetivo do presente estudo foi atualizar e ampliar o estado atual dos conhecimentos na área das propriedades físico-químicas das preparações homeopáticas. Na parte 1 do estudo objetivamos apresentar um panorama da literatura quanto à qualidade e métodos utilizados nas publicações. Na parte 2 objetivamos identificar as técnicas experimentais mais interessantes. Desta maneira, esperamos estar na posição de gerar hipóteses significativas quanto ao possível modo de ação das preparações homeopáticas. Métodos: Foi adotado um procedimento com 2 etapas: 1) pesquisa ampla da literatura, seguida de análise bibliométrica e da qualidade das publicações e, 2) análise qualitativa minuciosa das pesquisas físico-químicas individuais localizadas. Na presente publicação relatamos a etapa 1). Realizamos uma busca nas principais bases científicas de dados de publicações relatando pesquisas físico-químicas da homeopatia desde a sua origem até o final de 2015. As publicações foram avaliadas através de um sistema de pontuação, o Manuscript Information Score (MIS). Foram coletadas informações sobre o país de origem dos estudos e as técnicas experimentais utilizadas. Resultados: Localizamos 183 publicações (versus 44 na revisão anterior), 122 delas com MIS ≥ 5. A taxa de publicações na área foi ˜2 por ano entre as década de 1970 e 2000. Depois aumentou para mais de 5,5 publicações por ano. [...] Conclusões: As pesquisas físico-químicas sobre as preparações homeopáticas está aumentando tanto na quantidade e na qualidade das publicações. (AU)

Objectives: The last systematic review of physicochemical research performed on homeopathic preparations was published in 2003. The aim of the study is to update and expand the current state of knowledge in the area of physicochemical properties of homeopathic preparations. In part 1 of the study, we aim to present an overview of the literature with respect to publication quality and methods used. In part 2, we aim to identify the most interesting experimental techniques. With this, we aim to be in a position to generate meaningful hypotheses regarding a possible mode of action of homeopathic preparations. Methods: A two-step procedure was adopted: (1) an extensive literature search, followed by a bibliometric and quality analysis on the level of publications and (2) a thorough qualitative analysis of the individual physicochemical investigations found. In this publication, we report on step (1). We searched major scientific databases to find publications reporting physicochemical investigations of homeopathy from its origin to the end of 2015. Publications were assessed using a scoring scheme, the Manuscript Information Score (MIS). Information regarding country of origin of the research and experimental techniques used was extracted. Results: We identified 183 publications (compared to 44 in the last review), 122 of which had an MIS ‡5. The rate of publication in the field was *2 per year from the 1970s until 2000. Afterward, it increased to over 5.5 publications per year. [...]Conclusions: Physicochemical research into homeopathic preparations is increasing both in terms of quantity and quality of the publications. (AU)

Assuntos