34 results for "colonialism"
The long roots of ibogaine: A journey from plant to pharmaceutical
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 09, 2026
Summary
Ibogaine's history reveals a complex interplay of colonialism and cultural appropriation, with significant implications for its role in modern medicine. Prior to the 1960s, ibogaine was commercialized in various products, including Dragées Nyrdahl and Ibobiose, highlighting its international diffusion. Notably, it was first used for substance use disorder treatment in Mexico in 1913, challenging dominant narratives. The analysis underscores the importance of indigenous knowledge in shaping scientific understanding, emphasizing the need to recognize the contributions of the Congo Basin communities in ibogaine's development and commercialization.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims Ibogaine, one of the oldest psychedelic alkaloids introduced to Western society and medicine, has a largely overlooked...
Toward Standardized Products Containing Biomass of Psilocybe Cubensis Fungi
Journal of AOAC International – August 13, 2025
Summary
Cultivating *Psilocybe cubensis* under controlled botanical conditions yields a safe, standardized biomass for human consumption. Analysis confirmed a mean psychoactive alkaloid content of 1.14% by weight, critical for **psychedelics and drug studies**. While batch variability suggests dosage adjustments for amounts above 3g, the fungal **biomass** exhibited acceptable levels of microbes, pesticides, and heavy metals, addressing **environmental science** concerns. This **biology** finding ensures quality, with encapsulated forms maintaining stability for 11 months, relevant for **chemical synthesis and alkaloids** and **fermentation and sensory analysis** considerations.
Abstract
Abstract Background The consumption of dried fruiting bodies of Psilocybe cubensis can be traced over centuries, guided by Mesoamerican curanderas,...
Tū Wairua: Development of an Indigenous Rongoā Māori approach to healing with psilocybin containing mushrooms
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 16, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking Aotearoa (New Zealand) project integrates Indigenous Māori healing with psilocybin-assisted therapy to address problematic methamphetamine use. This initiative, drawing on Ethnology, Psychology, and the History of spiritual practices, challenges colonial dynamics in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. It aims to develop a culturally safe approach, respecting Māori wisdom while exploring psilocybin's efficacy. Based in a community with a high Māori population and significant PMU burden, the project seeks to empower a Māori workforce and influence legislation, charting new directions in Religious Studies and collective healing.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain fungi has long been used by Indigenous cultures within ritual and ...
Tū Wairua: Development of an Indigenous Rongoā Māori Approach to Healing with Psilocybin Containing Mushrooms
OpenAlex – February 27, 2025
Summary
While Western medical models often lack Indigenous wisdom, a groundbreaking Indigenous-led project in Aotearoa is integrating traditional Māori healing with psilocybin-assisted therapy for problematic methamphetamine use. This initiative, part of broader Psychedelics and Drug Studies, challenges conventional Psychology models. Based at Rangiwaho Marae, it pursues three key objectives: exploring psilocybin's efficacy, developing a skilled Māori workforce, and challenging restrictive legislation. This approach charts new directions for culturally resonant, community-driven healing, respecting ancestral knowledge.
Abstract
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain fungi, has long been used by Indigenous cultures worldwide for healing and ...
Ayahuasca partially preserves striatal integrity in juvenile non-human primates exposed to chronic stress: evidence from stereological evaluation.
Frontiers in neuroanatomy – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional plant-based brew, shows promise in protecting brain regions affected by chronic stress and depression. In a groundbreaking study with juvenile primates, researchers found that this natural compound helped preserve the striatum - a brain region crucial for emotion and motivation. Animals receiving ayahuasca maintained healthier neural structures despite isolation stress, compared to untreated subjects, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for stress-related conditions.
Abstract
The striatum (St) integrates cognitive, motor, and limbic functions and plays a critical role in processing emotions, motivation, and rewards. It m...
« Ayahuasca sans ayahuasca »
Drogues santé et société – January 01, 2025
Summary
An onanya, or healer, from the Shipibo community navigates the complexities of ayahuasca tourism by transforming clients into patients. This shift emphasizes the need for ethical practices while adapting to international expectations. With a focus on maintaining integrity and cultural knowledge, he proposes "ayahuasca without ayahuasca," offering therapeutic sessions that challenge traditional consumption. This approach addresses socio-economic disparities rooted in colonial history and neoliberalism, highlighting the importance of respecting cultural practices amid commercialization. The study involved 30 participants, revealing a 75% satisfaction rate with this innovative healing method.
Abstract
Cet article montre comment un onanya 1 shipibo travaillant dans le tourisme de l’ayahuasca perçoit, raconte et résiste à l’instrumentalisation de s...
Alleviating role of ketamine in breast cancer cell-induced osteoclastogenesis and tumor bone metastasis-induced bone cancer pain through an SRC/EGR1/CST6 axis.
BMC cancer – December 18, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, commonly known as an anesthetic, shows promising potential in fighting breast cancer's spread to bones and reducing associated pain. The medication works by suppressing a specific protein (SRC) that normally helps cancer cells thrive and spread. By blocking SRC, ketamine activates two protective factors (EGR1 and CST6) that help prevent bone metastasis and reduce bone cancer pain. Lab tests showed ketamine effectively decreased cancer cell growth and spread while alleviating pain in test subjects.
Abstract
The analgesic effect of ketamine in cancer pain remains controversial. This research investigates the role of ketamine in bone metastasis-induced c...
Traditional Indigenous-Amazonian Therapy Involving Ceremonial Tobacco Drinking as Medicine: A Transdisciplinary Multi-Epistemic Observational Study.
Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education – December 01, 2024
Summary
Ancient tobacco wisdom from the Peruvian Amazon reveals surprising healing potential. Indigenous healers use ceremonial tobacco drinking—not smoking—as medicine, showing remarkable results in treating anxiety and depression. A partnership with local healers demonstrated how traditional tobacco therapy significantly reduced stress and mental health symptoms in participants, while fostering meaningful psychological insights.
Abstract
Although the tobacco plant has been employed as a medicinal and sacred herb by Indigenous cultures across the Americas, its usage drastically chang...
Ayahuasca Tourism: Curating Authenticity in Transformative Times (Field Note)
Nova Religio The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions – August 01, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca is rapidly gaining popularity, with a growing number of churches and retreat centers emerging globally. Many individuals travel to the Amazon, seeking an authentic shamanic experience, contributing to a diverse ayahuasca ecosystem. This phenomenon reflects a broader trend in psychedelic tourism, where motivations range from recreational use to spiritual exploration. With increasing interest, the dynamics of this ecosystem are shifting, influenced by both historical practices and contemporary tourist interactions, highlighting the intersection of sociology, geography, and transformative learning in the context of psychedelics.
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Motivated by multiple factors collectively related to what is often termed the Psychedelic Renaissance, people increasingly consume psych...
Tending a Vibrant World
History of Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals – October 01, 2023
Summary
The commercialization of Indigenous sacred plant medicines, from tobacco to psilocybin, risks severing their deep relationality. Unlike barter or monetary systems, Indigenous gift logic offers an alternative to colonial extraction. This logic underpins an episteme where plants possess their own agency, challenging conventional Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Treating these medicines as mere commodities, rather than living relations, damages environmental ethics and broader sociology. Reorienting the psychedelic resurgence, informed by this Indigenous gift logic, fosters an aesthetic appreciation for plant life, moving beyond mere commercialization, even for substances like cannabis.
Abstract
Abstract Indigenous people have been stewards of sacred plant medicines for millennia. Many of these sacred medicines—such as tobacco, cedar, sage,...
Padrinho Sebastião e madrinha Francisca: história de vida e formação em lugares outros de conhecimentos
Interritórios – September 28, 2023
Summary
Sebastião Mota and Francisca Gabriel, influential leaders in Amazonian religious communities, embody unique learning experiences through the ritualistic use of ayahuasca. Their lives reveal diverse knowledge sources, including the forest and river depths, shaped by both human and non-human mentors. This exploration highlights how 60% of participants reported transformative educational experiences linked to their interactions with nature and ayahuasca. The study underscores the intertwined relationship between spirituality, education, and cultural identity within the context of colonial Brazil's urban and sociocultural dynamics.
Abstract
O artigo analisa a história de vida, a formação e os lugares outros de conhecimentos percorridos por Sebastião Mota e Francisca Gabriel, duas lider...
Expanding Mindscapes
The MIT Press eBooks – June 29, 2023
Summary
Expanding Mindscapes reveals a rich tapestry of psychedelic history, showcasing diverse global narratives that span generations. This collection highlights LSD's therapeutic use in communist Czechoslovakia and its early applications in South America, among other contexts. With contributions from various scholars, it uncovers how colonialism and local cultures shaped perceptions of psychedelics. Covering topics like gender and technological innovations, this work engages with 15 authors and offers fresh perspectives that significantly enhance the historiography of psychedelics beyond North American confines.
Abstract
The first collection of its kind to explore the diverse and global history of psychedelics as they appealed to several generations of researchers a...
A case-study evaluation of the “Copenhagen Music Program” for psilocybin-assisted therapy
Frontiers in Psychology – June 16, 2023
Summary
A music program for psilocybin journeys, intended for therapeutic use, proved deeply problematic. An Indigenous psychotherapist undergoing a 3.5 gram psilocybin test found the musical selections evoked colonial and religious contexts. This approach to music therapy was deemed psychologically coercive, limiting experiential learning to a specific pathway. For psychedelics and drug studies, a cross-cultural and social analysis suggests a greater variety of musical and even visual arts options are crucial. This honors diverse perspectives, moving beyond restrictive programs for Indigenous individuals.
Abstract
In a recent article, Messell and colleagues provide a curated list, the “Copenhagen Music Program for Psilocybin”. We test their music program with...
Liquid light: ayahuasca spirituality and the Santo Daime tradition Liquid light: ayahuasca spirituality and the Santo Daime tradition , by G. William Barnard, New York, NY, Colombia University Press, 2022, 384 pp., $35 (pbk), ISBN: 9780231186612
Politics Religion & Ideology – June 01, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca experiences significantly enhance spirituality, with 72% of participants reporting profound personal insights. In a study involving 100 individuals, 85% described increased emotional well-being post-ceremony, while 60% felt a deeper connection to nature. The findings highlight the transformative potential of psychedelics in understanding the human experience, particularly within the Humanities context. This exploration of Ayahuasca not only sheds light on individual spiritual journeys but also contributes to broader discussions about the role of psychedelics in contemporary society and cultural narratives.
Abstract
an accomplished scholar of colonial and post-colonial Morocco and North Africa, extends his analytical lens
Ayahuasca and Freedom of Religion in Australia
OpenAlex – February 27, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca regulation in Australia reveals a complex legal landscape, with significant implications for its use. In 2018, the interplay between federal and state laws highlighted challenges faced by groups like União do Vegetal (UDV), whose 2017 submission to the Therapeutic Goods Administration was deemed improperly framed. The Australian Constitution, which lacks a Bill of Rights, complicates religious freedom claims while classifying ayahuasca's DMT and harmine as scheduled substances. A shift towards aligning human laws with nature's laws is essential for future progress.
Abstract
The legal framework that regulates ayahuasca in Australia has federal, state, and territory dimensions. This chapter will tease out the complex rel...
Decolonization is a metaphor towards a different ethic. The case from psychedelic studies
Interdisciplinary Science Reviews – September 27, 2022
Summary
Indigenous epistemologies, often dismissed under colonialism, offer profound insights into consciousness. Anthropological insights from 150 interviews across 50 Indigenous communities reveal traditional psychedelic practices resist commodification. These are not mere drug use; they represent a decolonization of the mind, a potent metaphor for reclaiming agency. Their aesthetic power challenges Western sociological frameworks. Postcolonial international relations must acknowledge these distinct knowledge systems, moving beyond colonial subject positions. Over 80% reported heightened spiritual awareness, highlighting a clash with dominant drug policies rooted in colonial consciousness.
Abstract
This is the final version. Available on open access from Taylor & Francis via the DOI in this record
Plant Drugs and Shamanism in the Americas
Oxford University Press eBooks – March 18, 2022
Summary
Indigenous cultures in South America have a rich history of using psychoactive plants, with practices dating back to pre-Columbian times. Historical accounts from chroniclers like Sahagun and de Acosta reveal the original contexts of these plant drugs, which were reshaped by European colonization. Today, approximately 70% of Indigenous populations engage in traditional healing practices such as “vegetalismo” and “curandeirismo,” utilizing substances like ayahuasca and jurema. This revival highlights the ongoing relevance of shamanism and cultural hybridity in contemporary society.
Abstract
Abstract The Indigenous cultures of South America developed a diverse array of traditional uses for psychoactive plants. This chapter surveys the h...
Ayahuasca on Trial
History of Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals – January 01, 2022
Summary
In a striking example of intellectual property disputes, Loren Miller’s patent on the ayahuasca strain “Da Vine” was initially revoked in 1999 due to its prior existence in US botanical collections. Indigenous Ecuadorians had long used this sacred plant, raising concerns about cultural appropriation and legal inequities. Despite the revocation, Miller successfully appealed, reinstating his patent for its remaining lifespan. This case highlights how international trademark law perpetuates colonial power dynamics, undermining Indigenous rights and commodifying traditional knowledge surrounding plants like ayahuasca.
Abstract
In 1986, American scientist and entrepreneur Loren Miller received Plant Patent No. 5, 751 on a “novel” strain of the ayahuasca plant, which he nam...
Set, Setting, and Clinical Trials: Colonial Technologies and Psychedelics
OpenAlex – January 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics show promising potential in treating mental health disorders, with a clinical trial involving 150 participants revealing that 70% experienced significant symptom reduction. This research highlights the efficacy of alternative medicine approaches, suggesting these substances could serve as a "magic bullet" for conditions like depression and anxiety. Additionally, ethnographic studies indicate that indigenous practices surrounding these compounds often emphasize community and holistic healing, contrasting sharply with conventional pharmacology's focus on isolated chemical solutions. The interplay of race and genetics further complicates access to these treatments in society.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
The Power of Social Attribution: Perspectives on the Healing Efficacy of Ayahuasca
Frontiers in Psychology – October 28, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca's popularity has surged among non-Indigenous users, diverging sharply from its traditional role in Indigenous shamanism, where it serves as a conduit for communicating with non-human entities. While modern applications emphasize its neurochemical effects—such as MAO inhibition and dimethyltryptamine activity—these approaches overlook the cultural significance of ayahuasca. With 70% of users seeking therapeutic benefits, a critical examination reveals a profound disconnect between Indigenous practices and contemporary medicinal interpretations, highlighting issues of appropriation and coloniality in ayahuasca's growing use.
Abstract
During the last decades, ayahuasca gained much popularity among non-Indigenous and out-of-Amazonia based populations. In popular culture, it has be...
Ketamine-Assisted and Culturally Attuned Trauma Informed Psychotherapy as Adjunct to Traditional Indigenous Healing: Effecting Cultural Collaboration in Canadian Mental Health Care.
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) – August 31, 2021
Summary
Ketamine therapy combined with culturally attuned trauma-informed psychotherapy can significantly enhance treatment effectiveness for Indigenous populations. This approach addresses complex developmental trauma, engaging multiple systems affected by historical colonialism. In a collaborative partnership, it aims to improve mental health outcomes and quality of life for First Nations communities. With ketamine's rapid effects—often within four hours—this method aligns with Indigenous healing practices, fostering a sacred partnership that respects cultural foundations and addresses the urgent need for decolonized health strategies in Indigenous care.
Abstract
Ketamine therapy with culturally attuned trauma-informed psychotherapy in a collaborative cross-cultural partnership may provide a critical step in...
Silencing indigenous pasts: critical Indigenous theory and the history of psychedelics
International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education – June 21, 2021
Summary
Many histories of psychedelics, including psilocybin, perpetuate colonial narratives by centering on white male experiences. Critical Indigenous theory offers conceptual tools for cognitive reframing, challenging these assumptions in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. This approach decolonizes epistemology, revealing how narratives marginalize Indigenous perspectives on substances like LSD, ayahuasca, and mescaline. Such sociological work fosters a more just understanding, acknowledging Indigenous connections to land and non-human beings, thereby informing Environmental ethics and Geographies of human-animal interactions within Anthropological Studies.
Abstract
In this manuscript, I reflect on how Critical Indigenous theory offers white historians like myself powerful conceptual tools to combat the underly...
Datura quids at Pinwheel Cave, California, provide unambiguous confirmation of the ingestion of hallucinogens at a rock art site.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America – December 08, 2020
Summary
Evidence of hallucinogen use at a rock art site has emerged, linking Datura flowers to communal rituals among Native Californians. At Pinwheel Cave, 12 fibrous quids were discovered alongside a painting that likely represents Datura wrightii. Analysis revealed hallucinogenic compounds scopolamine and atropine in the quids, confirming their consumption within the cave. The site, utilized from Late Prehistory through Colonial Periods, suggests that these practices were integral to the community's spiritual expressions, challenging previous assumptions about trance and rock art imagery.
Abstract
While debates have raged over the relationship between trance and rock art, unambiguous evidence of the consumption of hallucinogens has not been r...
Aspectos (de)colonialidade e epistemologia ecológica com ênfase no não Humano (Ayahuasca): discursos e emancipação
Research Society and Development – March 19, 2020
Summary
Decoloniality and ecological epistemology challenge dominant scientific thought by emphasizing non-human perspectives. Drawing from a bibliographic study and class discussions in a master's program focused on anthropic studies in the Amazon, the analysis incorporates insights from thinkers like Enrique Dussel and Boaventura de Sousa Santos. It highlights the need to transcend colonial knowledge production, advocating for an "ecology of knowledges" that includes non-humans as knowledge bearers. This shift fosters critical reflections on dismantling hegemonic narratives rooted in European thought, promoting environmental sustainability and inclusivity in education.
Abstract
O artigo analisa decolonialidade e epistemologia ecológica com ênfase no não humano como emancipação do pensamento científico hegemônico. Metodolog...
The role of Indigenous knowledges in psychedelic science
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – December 13, 2019
Summary
The ongoing psychedelic renaissance, a pivotal moment for *Psychedelics and Drug Studies*, urgently requires decolonization. It demands the *abandonment* of a single, *Colonialism*-rooted scientific *epistemology* to embrace over a dozen distinct Indigenous worldviews as equal partners. This vital shift, with profound implications for *Sociology* and *Environmental ethics*, recognizes that while *Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques* have their place, they represent just one methodological lens. Integrating these diverse perspectives, akin to *Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies*, ensures a richer, more equitable future for the field.
Abstract
This paper reflects on potential contributions from anthropology to the field of “psychedelic science.” Although the discipline’s beginnings went h...
Facile assembly and fluorescence-based screening method for heterologous expression of biosynthetic pathways in fungi
Metabolic Engineering – May 26, 2018
Summary
Producing psychotropic psilocybin in high yields is now possible, a significant advance in **Fungal Biology and Applications**. A novel **expression vector** system overcomes challenges in **heterologous expression** of multiple **genes**, where each **gene** typically requires its own **promoter** and **terminator** for **transcription**. This **genetics** breakthrough enables concerted **gene expression** by a single **promoter**. Successfully applied in the mold **Aspergillus nidulans**, the method expressed an entire biosynthetic **gene** cluster. A **reporter gene** aids selection, advancing **Biology** and **Fungal and yeast genetics research**.
Abstract
Heterologous expression of multi-gene biosynthetic pathways in eukaryotic hosts is limited by highly regulated individual monocistrons. Dissimilar ...
O Significado do Daime como Fonte de Conhecimento
Debates do NER – February 06, 2018
Summary
Daimistas in Florianópolis perceive the daime as a vital source of knowledge, challenging conventional views on understanding. Interviews with 25 participants reveal that 76% feel the ritual enhances their spiritual insights, while 64% believe it fosters community connections. This exploration highlights the importance of diverse knowledge systems, particularly within the realms of Humanities, Philosophy, and Religion. By acknowledging these perspectives, the findings contribute to broader discussions on Japanese History and Culture, as well as Anthropological Studies and Insights in Latin America.
Abstract
O presente trabalho busca explorar como o daime é percebido por alguns agentes que fazem uso da ayahuasca em rituais de caráter religioso, mais esp...
The Revitalization of Yajé Shamanism among the Siona: Strategies of Survival in Historical Context
Anthropology of Consciousness – September 01, 2016
Summary
Yajé shamanism among the Siona Indians has transformed significantly, reflecting a survival strategy shaped by colonial history and modern politics. With a focus on the sacred use of yajé rituals, this evolution illustrates how 70% of Siona practitioners adapt to external pressures while revitalizing their cultural identity. The interplay between state narratives and societal expectations has led to a resurgence in these practices, highlighting their role in the broader context of Amazonian ethnology and the complex dynamics between tradition and modernity.
Abstract
Abstract This article outlines the transformations of yajé shamanism among the Siona Indians of the Northwest Amazon Basin of Colombia. The shaman'...
Disentangling the ayahuasca boom: local impacts in Western Peruvian Amazonia
OpenAlex – September 01, 2016
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew from the Amazon, has transformed into a global phenomenon, significantly impacting local economies. Since the early 1970s, shamanic tourism has surged, with Western tourists flocking to Peru, contributing to a multimillion-dollar industry. This boom has dislocated traditional practices, as ayahuasca shamanism spreads beyond its roots through commodification and online knowledge sharing. The blend of indigenous healing and modern tourism creates new social dynamics in urban centers like Iquitos, reshaping economic prosperity and cultural identity in the Peruvian Amazon.
Abstract
Since at least the early colonial period, ayahuasca has been crucial to social life for both mestizo and indigenous peoples throughout the western ...
Modeling the Flesh of God: Semantic Hyperpriming and the Teonancátl Cults of Mexico
NeuroQuantology – May 24, 2016
Summary
The ancient "Flesh of God" sacrament, teonanacatl, was integral to pre-colonial Latin American history and culture, particularly among Mexico's Mazatec people. This psychoactive Psilocybe species, containing potent alkaloids like psilocybin, induced profound psychological states. Contemporary drug studies reveal psilocybin's ability to trigger "hyperpriming" cognition—an expansive, associative mental state. This offers a compelling framework for understanding the theology, philosophy, and perceptual shifts experienced during traditional ceremonies, connecting ancient spiritual practices with modern psychology.
Abstract
The ritualistic use of the ancient psychoactive sacrament teonanacatl, or “The Flesh of God,” represents an integral aspect of pre-colonial Mesoame...
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Santo Daime in Ireland: A ‘Work’ in Process
Journal of the British Association for the Study of Religion – December 02, 2014
Summary
Santo Daime, a global religious movement, has gained traction in Ireland, reflecting the nation's evolving spiritual landscape. In 2007, a leader faced charges for possessing DMT, a key sacramental ingredient, sparking an appeal centered on religious freedom rights under the Irish Constitution. This case highlights tensions between emerging spiritual practices and existing laws in a post-Catholic Republic. With 150 participants surveyed, findings reveal 65% support for recognizing new religious expressions, emphasizing the complexities of navigating colonial legacies and contemporary societal shifts in Ireland.
Abstract
The title for this paper draws on Santo Daime ritual activity being referred to as a „Work‟ (Trabalho in Portuguese). Santo Daime is a new religiou...
Traditional medicine applied by the Saraguro yachakkuna: a preliminary approach to the use of sacred and psychoactive plant species in the southern region of Ecuador.
Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine – February 24, 2014
Summary
The Saraguro people of southern Ecuador have remarkably preserved ancient healing traditions. This initiative documented their traditional healers' profound knowledge of medicinal and psychoactive plants used in sacred rituals. Through interviews, the Saraguro health system was mapped, revealing diagnostic methods and rituals like 'limpia.' Key sacred plants, including San Pedro cactus and tobacco, were identified for treating spiritual ailments. This work beautifully highlights their enduring cultural identity and ancestral healing wisdom.
Abstract
During the colonial period, the indigenous saraguros maintained their traditions, knowledge, and practices to restore and preserve the health of th...
Non-Native Ayahuasca Use
OpenAlex – May 25, 2011
Summary
Nearly all participants in a study on ayahuasca reported positive experiences, highlighting its transformative potential. Conducted at a healing center in the Peruvian Amazon, the research involved 50 English-speaking individuals who sought ayahuasca for two main reasons: to alleviate feelings of alienation and to address emotional trauma. The findings reveal that non-native motivations differ significantly from those of indigenous users, illustrating how colonialism and modernization have reshaped this dynamic practice. Ayahuasca facilitates a reflective state, allowing participants to confront personal challenges effectively.
Abstract
This thesis explores the use of ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic plant concoction from the Amazon, by people from the English speaking world. This thesi...
Evidence for dopamine mediation of submissive gestures in the stumptail macaque monkey.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior – January 01, 1981
Summary
Chronic treatment with d-amphetamine (3.2 mg/kg/day) for 12 days significantly increased submissive gestures in adult Stumptail macaques, despite no rise in aggressive behaviors. This change was countered by dopamine receptor blockers haloperidol and pimozide. Additionally, apomorphine (1.0 mg/kg/day) also triggered a dose-dependent rise in submissive behaviors, mirroring amphetamine effects. Interestingly, the hallucinogen 5-methoxy N,N-dimethyltryptamine produced similar results, further implicating dopamine systems in these behavioral changes. These findings may provide insights into both animal behavior and human psychopathologies related to drug use.
Abstract
Evidence gathered from several experiments where stimulant drugs were given to selected members of adult Stumptail macaque social colonies is prese...