Beliefs in and experiences of sorcery, black magic and brujería among psychedelic users: a quantitative and qualitative survey

Summary

The study investigates the prevalence of beliefs in supernatural harm among Western users of psychedelics, particularly in the context of ayahuasca ceremonies. It finds that many participants may interpret difficult experiences as shamanic attacks, despite a tendency to favor psychological explanations. The analysis includes data from 895 individuals involved with psychedelics, aiming to understand how these beliefs are influenced by psychedelic experiences and cultural immersion, and their implications for participant welfare.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Sorcery, black magic, and supernatural harm are central to many Amazonian shamanic traditions, yet their role in contemporary Western psychedelic culture has received little systematic empirical attention. Ethnographic work suggests that Western participants in ayahuasca tourism often downplay indigenous sorcery frameworks in favour of psychological or therapeutic interpretations of difficult experiences. Yet, anecdotal reports indicate that some participants leave ceremonies convinced they have been subjected to shamanic attack or supernatural harm. No quantitative study has examined the prevalence of such beliefs and experiences, the conditions under which they arise, or their implications for participant welfare in ceremonial settings.This study addresses that gap through a cross-sectional, retrospective, anonymous online survey of adults with personal, professional, or cultural involvement in psychedelics. Participants were recruited through psychedelic community networks and harm reduction organisations, including ICEERS, Chacruna, the Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project, and the Fireside Project. The final analytic sample comprised 895 participants with at least one lifetime psychedelic experience.We aim to estimate the prevalence of beliefs in supernatural harm among Western psychedelic users; examine whether psychedelic experiences and immersion in psychedelic culture are associated with shifts in such beliefs; characterise experiences interpreted as black magic or supernatural harm; assess whether facilitator authority and fear of magical retaliation inhibit criticism of ceremonial leaders; and compare these patterns between those who regularly participated in ayahuasca ceremonies and the rest of the sample. The findings aim to inform both research on psychedelic-induced belief change and harm reduction frameworks in ceremonial settings.

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