The Shamanistic Theory of Schizophrenia: The Evidence for Schizophrenia as a Vestigial Phenotypic Behavior Originating in Paleolithic Shamanism

Summary

The shamanistic theory of schizophrenia suggests that the main characteristics of schizophrenia are similar to key aspects of shamanism, proposing that psychosis may have offered evolutionary benefits to prehistoric hominid tribes. This comparison between shamanism and medical insanity has roots in early academic explorations of the Siberian wilderness in the late 18th century.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In its simplest form, the shamanistic theory of schizophrenia proposes that the core features of schizophrenia are akin to the primary qualities of shamanism; and that psychosis provided certain evolutionary advantages to prehistoric hominid tribes. The idea that shamanism could be comparable to medical forms of insanity can be traced back to early academic expeditions assigned to explore the Siberian wilderness during the late 18th century [1].

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