Every year, thousands of people travel to the Amazon to drink the ayahuasca brew that puts them in a state of deep introspection for about four hours. When they emerge, they often report newfound insights into their unhealthy behaviors. While these stories sound amazing, is it really possible to reach a higher state of consciousness to help you solve problems? One study found that the measurement of brain signal diversity, which indicates levels of consciousness, jumped way above its baseline under psychedelics. In another large study, 64 percent of participants reported significantly reduced symptoms of depression one week after a single dose of it. While more studies need to be done, the findings certainly bring attention to the potential power of ayahuasca.

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