Research
Research in the Amazon
Dr Ruffell’s work sits at the intersection between traditional medicine such as Shipibo curanderismo and Western concepts of mental health.
He primarily conducts research in the Amazon rainforest in Peru, and is also currently running clinical trials investigating ayahuasca analogues.
To read about the reciprocity initiatives implemented by Dr Ruffell and the Onaya Science team please see the Reciprocity page.
Current Research
Dr Ruffell and the Onaya Science team are currently collaborating with the Heroic Hearts Project to investigate the impact of ayahuasca retreats for military veterans who have experienced trauma.
The team is looking at psychometrics, brainwaves, gut microbiome, and epigenetic change to quantify potential effects.
Publications
All work by Dr Ruffell and the Onaya Science team is shared through scientific journals, conferences, podcasts, and other media efforts.
On this page is a selection of Dr Ruffell’s published work. You can find all scientific publications by Dr Ruffell and colleagues following the link below:
PhD Thesis
Dr Ruffell’s thesis comprises five studies exploring Amazonian ayahuasca and mental health outcomes. The research is among the first to investigate Shipibo-style ayahuasca retreats in the Peruvian Amazon.
