OPEN Foundation

Religious studies

Psychobiology of Drug-Induced Religious Experience: From the Brain 'Locus of Religion' to Cognitive Unbinding

November 13, 2010 / Ayahuasca, LSD, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Mystical experiences, Neuroscience, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Religious studies, Spirituality / By / ,

Abstract

The recent interest in the psychopharmacological underpinnings of religious experiences has led to both the laboratory characterizations of drug-induced mystical events and psychobiological models of religious experiences rooted in evolution and fitness. Our examination of this literature suggests that these theories may be congruent only within more modern religious and cultural settings and are not generalizable to all historical beliefs, as would be expected from an evolutionarily conserved biological mechanism. The strong influence of culture on the subjective effects of drugs as well as religious thoughts argues against the concept of a common pathway in the brain uniquely responsible for these experiences. Rather, the role of personal beliefs, expectations and experiences may interject bias into the interpretation of psychoactive drug action as a reflection of biologically based religious thought. Thus, psychobiological research proposing specific brain mechanisms should consider anthropological and historical data to address alternative explanations to the “fitness” of religious thought. A psychobiological model of the religious experience based on the concept of cognitive unbinding seems to accommodate these data better than that of a specific brain locus of religion.

Nencini, P., & Grant, G. A. (2010). Psychobiology of Drug-Induced Religious Experience: From the Brain ‘Locus of Religion’ to Cognitive Unbinding. Substance Use & Misuse, 45(13), 2130–2151. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/10826081003713803
Link to full text

Ayahuasca, Ritual and Religion in Brazil

February 6, 2022 / Ayahuasca, Boeken, Book reviews, Publicaties, Religious studies / By

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive drink used for healing and divination among religious groups in the Brazilian Amazon. ‘Ayahuasca, Ritual and Religion in Brazil’ is the first scholarly volume in English to examine the religious rituals and practices surrounding ayahuasca. The use of ayahuasca among religious groups is analysed, alongside Brazilian public policies regarding ayahuasca and the handling of substance dependence. ‘Ayahuasca, Ritual and Religion in Brazil’ will be of interest to scholars of anthropology and religion and all those interested in the role of stimulants in religious practice.

Ayahuasca, Ritual and Religion in Brazil, by Beatriz Caiuby Labate and Edward MacRae, Routledge, 256 pages.

Buy this book at bookdepository.com and support the OPEN Foundation

Ayahuasca Beyond the Amazon: the Benefits and Risks of a Spreading Tradition

April 21, 2010 / Anthropology, Ayahuasca, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Religious studies, Spirituality / By /

Abstract

Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic plant brew from the Amazon basin used as part of healing ceremonies by the region’s indigenous people for centuries, is now consumed by growing numbers of people throughout the world. Ayahuasca consumption has moved from strictly being part of indigenous shamanic healing ceremonies, to being a key component of the Brazilian syncretic churches formed in the last century, to most recently being part of ‘‘New Age’’ rituals conducted throughout the Western world. The discovery of ayahuasca by the Westerners, has resulted in a growing body of research suggesting that participants who take part in ayahuasca ceremonies experience significant spiritual and psychotherapeutic effects. Along with these potential benefits, however, the adoption of indigenous practices into Western cultures brings simultaneous challenges. As participation in ayahuasca ritual spreads into Western cultures, it becomes necessary to examine how to integrate these spiritual healing rituals into contemporary Western concepts of psychological health and ethical conduct.

Trichter, S. (2010). Ayahuasca Beyond the Amazon: the Benefits and Risks of a Spreading Tradition. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 42(2), 131-148.
Download pdf

Santo Daime: betekenis en aantrekkingskracht van een ayahuasca-religie

December 6, 2021 / Ayahuasca, Dutch, Publicaties, Religious studies, Uncategorized / By

WuytsEr is een nieuw boek verschenen over de Santo Daime van de hand van Jazmin Wuyts, afgestudeerd in culturele antropologie en ontwikkelingssociologie. Het boek, “Santo Daime; betekenis en aantrekkingskracht van een ayahuasca-religie”, is een geredigeerde versie van Wuyts’ afstudeerscriptie. De connectie tussen de Santo Daime in Brazilië en Nederland wordt onder de loep genomen, en wat het boek bijzonder maakt is dat het alleen gebaseerd is op literatuur en interviews – Wuyts heeft zelf niet deelgenomen aan de rituelen. De hoofdvraag die in het boek behandeld wordt is “Wat is de betekenis en aantrekkingskracht van de Santo Daime-religie voor de deelnemers en hoe kan men verklaren dat het in minder dan een eeuw over de hele wereld is verspreid?”

Santo Daime: betekenis en aantrekkingskracht van een ayahuasca-religie, Jazmin Wuyts, gepubliceerd door de auteur. ISBN 978-90-8759-058-1.

Changes in Spirituality Among Ayahuasca Ceremony Novice Participants

June 23, 2009 / Ayahuasca, Mystical experiences, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Religious studies, Spirituality / By / , ,

Abstract

Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic plant brew from the Amazon basin used as part of healing ceremonies by the local indigenous people of the region for centuries, is now being consumed by growing numbers of people throughout the world. Anecdotal evidence and previous research suggest that there are spiritual effects experienced among participants who take part in ayahuasca ceremonies. The current study examined whether novice participants’ spirituality was affected through participation in an ayahuasca ceremony, and if so, how. A mixed-design method was used, comparing those participating in an ayahuasca ceremony to those who did not participate. This investigation used the Peak Experience Profile, the Spiritual Well-being Scale, and the Mysticism Scale as quantitative measures. Participant interviews and written accounts of ceremony experiences were analyzed. Results showed that neither the SWB score nor the M-Scale score increased significantly after participating in an ayahuasca ceremony. However, it was found that the higher the PEP score, the greater the positive change in SWB and MScale scores. Qualitative data revealed common spiritual themes in many of the participants’ interviews and written accounts. Experiential differences were displayed within the ayahuasca ceremony group, warranting continued investigation into, and identification of, various confounding variables that prompt reported changes in spirituality within some participants while not in others.

Trichter, S., Klimo, J., & Krippner, S. (2009). Changes in Spirituality Among Ayahuasca Ceremony Novice Participants. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 41(2), 121-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2009.10399905
Link to full text

The Phenomenology and Potential Religious Import of States of Consciousness Facilitated by Psilocybin

October 30, 2008 / Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Mystical experiences, Neuroscience, Papers, Personal development, Phenomenology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapy, Publications, Religious studies, Spirituality / By /

Abstract

Accompanying the resumption of human research with the entheogen (psychedelic drug), psilocybin, the range of states of consciousness reported during its action, including both nonmystical and mystical forms of experience, is surveyed and defined. The science and art of facilitating mystical experiences is discussed on the basis of research experience. The potential religious import of these states of consciousness is noted in terms of recognizing the reality of the spiritual, in better understanding the biochemistry of revelation, and in exploring the potentially positive contributions that mystical consciousness may effect in psychological treatment.

Richards, W. A. (2008). The Phenomenology and Potential Religious Import of States of Consciousness Facilitated by Psilocybin. Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 30, 189-199. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/157361208X317196
Link to full text

Hallucinogens: An update

September 1, 2003 / Addiction, History, HPPD, Indigenous use, MDMA, Other substances, Papers, Psychopharmacology, Publications, Religious studies, Salvia / Salvinorin A, Sociology / By /

Abstract

Research of hallucinogen abuse rarely extends beyond epidemiology and observed pathology. Even less research has been completed on the special circumstances surrounding the religious use of hallucinogens or on potential therapeutic applications. Rather than offer another basic review on the well-known hazards of illicit hallucinogen use, this paper provides an overview and practice recommendations on compounds the clinician may be less familiar with, such as the botanical plant Salvia divinorum, the drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (“ecstasy”) and synthetic hallucinogen analogs. The often-warned, but rarely occurring, hazard of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (“flashbacks”) is also reviewed with treatment recommendations provided. The current status of clinical research with the hallucinogens is presented, with case vignettes suggesting hallucinogens may have anti-addictive applications. The special circumstances surrounding the religious, nondrug use of hallucinogens as sacred sacraments in the US and elsewhere are also presented. It is hoped that the reader will gain a more nuanced understanding of how these physiologically nonaddictive drugs may offer legitimate benefits in modern society. By appreciating that such benefits may one day be borne out by careful, methodologically sound research, clinicians should be better armed in raising the topic of hallucinogen use and abuse with their patients.

Halpern, J. H. (2003). Hallucinogens: an update. Current psychiatry reports, 5(5), 347-354. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11920-003-0067-4

Link to full article

30 April - Q&A with Rick Strassman

REGISTER NOW!
X