164 results for "geography"
Discovery of the closest free-living relative of the domesticated ‘magic mushroom’ Psilocybe cubensis in Africa
Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences – March 11, 2026
Summary
A significant finding reveals that the psychedelic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis, widely cultivated for recreational and medicinal use, shares a common ancestor with the newly identified species Psilocybe ochraceocentrata. This ancestor existed approximately 1.5 million years ago, predating cattle domestication. Analysis of DNA from over 50 African Psilocybe specimens supports this connection, while ecological modeling indicates suitable habitats for their ancestor across Africa, Asia, and the Americas over the last 3 million years. This discovery enhances our understanding of fungal biology and the origins of P. cubensis.
Abstract
The psychedelic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis is cultivated worldwide for recreational and medicinal use. Described initially from Cuba in 1906, ther...
Supplementary material from "Discovery of the closest free-living relative of the domesticated “magic mushroom” Psilocybe cubensis in Africa "
OpenAlex – January 01, 2026
Summary
The psychedelic mushroom *Psilocybe cubensis* has an origin far older than previously assumed, predating cattle domestication. Its closest wild ancestor, *Psilocybe ochraceocentrata*, found in sub-Saharan Africa, last shared a common ancestor ~1.5 million years ago. Analyzing DNA sequences to build a phylogenetic tree reveals this deep biology. Both species share an ecology tied to herbivore dung, suggesting this predisposed *P. cubensis* to its current global geography. This ancient African clade's presence across continents challenges previous assumptions about its diversification.
Abstract
Psilocybe cubensis is cultivated worldwide for recreational and medicinal use. Described initially from Cuba in 1904, there has been substantial de...
Conocimientos locales, prácticas y usos contemporáneos atribuidos a la ayahuasca en el noroeste de la Amazonia peruana
Boletín de la Sociedad Argentina de Botánica – December 23, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca remains a vital cultural and therapeutic practice in northwestern Peru, with 90% of local informants and shamans recognizing its spiritual and medicinal benefits. This traditional brew is commonly used for treating psychological issues and digestive ailments, often within ritualistic contexts. The study identified 26 ethnovarieties, with "cielo ayahuasca" being the most prevalent. As demand grows globally, shamans adapt their rituals, ensuring that this ancient knowledge not only survives but also becomes accessible to a wider audience beyond the Amazon rainforest.
Abstract
Introducción y objetivos: La ayahuasca es una bebida tradicionalmente empleada con fines curativos, tanto físicos como espirituales. Su uso se ha p...
Discovery of the closest free-living relative of the domesticated “magic mushroom” Psilocybe cubensis in Africa
DRYAD – December 03, 2025
Summary
A significant discovery in **evolutionary biology** reveals a new "magic mushroom" **genus** member, *Psilocybe ochraceocentrata*, from Zimbabwe. This species forms a sister **clade** to *Psilocybe cubensis*, profoundly expanding our understanding of the Cubensae complex's hidden African **biology** and diversity. By modeling **geography** and **ecology**, this work aims to pinpoint *P. cubensis*'s debated origins. Such insights into fungal distribution are crucial, informing broader questions about how species spread globally and interact, sometimes even through human **domestication** or dispersal.
Abstract
The "magic mushroom" genus Psilocybe is globally distributed and has a hotspot of diversity in the temperate regions of the Americas, particularly ...
Participant experiences of icaros (Amazonian curative songs) during a traditional medicine ceremony at the Takiwasi Center, Peru
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 15, 2025
Summary
Curative songs, or icaros, significantly enhance healing in Amazonian traditional medicine, particularly during ayahuasca ceremonies. Analyzing the experiences of 6 participants at the Takiwasi Center in Peru revealed that these musical elements, combined with ayahuasca, foster profound introspection and meditative states. The findings suggest that this unique blend may activate psycho-neurobiological healing mechanisms, such as self-referential processing and decentering. This highlights the intricate relationship between music, geography, and identity within the context of family medicine and traditional healing practices.
Abstract
Abstract Musico-healing practices play a key role in indigenous and mestizo traditional medicine in the Amazon. The curative songs or icaros used b...
Psilocybin Dispensaries and Online Health Claims in Canada
JAMA Network Open – April 01, 2025
Summary
Over a third of major Canadian cities contain unregulated psilocybin dispensaries, with 2.6% of Canadians living near one. A recent analysis identified 57 such businesses, many operating online and as chains. While 86.4% of websites advertise psilocybin products with mental health claims, only 9.1% warn against driving, and specific warnings for pregnancy or psychosis are also rare. This lack of clear guidance from the business sector, despite diverse product offerings, poses significant public health risks in the realm of psychedelics and medicine.
Abstract
Importance There is growing societal interest in and use of psilocybin. While psilocybin in Canada is illegal outside of clinical trials, there hav...
Mitigating Ethical Issues in Training for Psychedelic Therapy
Neuroethics – April 01, 2025
Summary
Protecting vulnerable individuals in psychedelic therapy demands rigorous ethical training, echoing principles from medical education and engineering ethics. Four critical problems are identified: insufficient comprehensive psychology-informed training, a lack of psychotherapist experience, inappropriate self-disclosure, and "guruism." Mitigating these requires robust ethics codes, monitoring, and professional licensure for those in psychedelics and drug studies. Practitioners need specific training, and a cooling-off period after personal psychedelic experiences is vital for responsible practice in this neuropsychology-adjacent field.
Abstract
Abstract In the present paper, we analyze the ethical issues in training for psychedelic therapy and discuss mitigation strategies for these issues...
Psychedelics Align Brain Activity with Context
OpenAlex – March 11, 2025
Summary
Half of 62 adults rated a 19mg psilocybin experience among their life's most meaningful, profoundly altering consciousness. Using fMRI and EEG, brain activity under this hallucinogen, a naturally occurring alkaloid, reorganized. This reorganisation, influencing neural correlates of consciousness, integrated internal and external processing into 'embeddedness.' This state, aligning brain dynamics with context—like meditation or music, reflecting ancient human psychology—revealed how psilocybin shapes mindset and behavior. This neuroscience offers a framework for understanding psychedelic effects.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics can profoundly alter consciousness by reorganising brain connectivity; however, their effects are contextsensitive. To unders...
Psychedelics are Bringing a new wind to the Pharmacopoeia
Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery – February 27, 2025
Summary
A compelling shift is underway: several hundred clinical trials globally are now exploring psychedelics for mental health restoration. Substances like psilocybin from hallucinogenic mushrooms, and LSD, derived from ergot alkaloids, are key to these drug studies. From diverse geography, DMT in ayahuasca and mescaline from peyote are also being examined. MDMA, an amphetamine resulting from chemical synthesis, completes this new pharmacopoeia. This extensive research aims to revolutionize mental health treatments.
Abstract
Hallucinogenic substances such as psilocybin, LSD or ecstasy are now the subject of several hundred clinical trials around the world to test their ...
Preliminary results from a community-based ayahuasca-assisted mental health program among a Yaqui Indigenous population in Sonora, Mexico
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – January 24, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca ceremonies significantly improved mental health among 37 Indigenous Yaqui patients, with mean depression scores dropping from 15.7 to 5.1 and anxiety scores from 16.6 to 6.3 after just two sessions. Complicated grief scores also decreased from 39.6 to 10.7. Remarkably, seven out of eight patients at risk for suicide showed resolution after a single ceremony. The program, launched in 2020, combines traditional practices with psychotherapeutic support, indicating a promising approach for addressing mental health challenges in Indigenous populations.
Abstract
Abstract Background The Yaqui Intercultural Medicine Clinic was established in 2020 to provide accessible, culturally-attuned treatment for substan...
Discovery of the closest free-living relative of the domesticated “magic mushroom” Psilocybe cubensis in Africa
OpenAlex – December 07, 2024
Summary
The beloved "magic mushroom," *Psilocybe cubensis*, originated in Africa, diverging from its newly identified wild relative, *P. ochraceocentrata*, around 1.5 million years ago. This groundbreaking Biology discovery, based on DNA analysis, overturns the long-held belief that the mushroom arrived in the Americas with cattle after 1500 CE. Its ancient African origins, spanning vast Geography, predate both cattle domestication and modern humans. This suggests its association with herbivore dung predisposed this psychedelic mushroom to its current global spread, providing vital resources for Fungal Biology and Applications.
Abstract
Abstract The “magic mushroom” Psilocybe cubensis is cultivated worldwide for recreational and medicinal uses. Described initially from Cuba in 1904...
Pattern of psychedelic substance use: a comparison between populations in Spain and South America using the Psychedelic Use Scale (PUS)
Current Psychology – November 21, 2024
Summary
MDMA use is strikingly higher in Spain (78.5%) than in Spanish-speaking South America (37.1%), revealing distinct cultural patterns in psychoactive substance use. A survey of 735 individuals using a specialized scale confirmed Psilocybin as the most consumed hallucinogen overall. Conversely, Mescaline was more common in South America (31.9% vs. 24.0%). Individuals under 30 faced double the risk (OR=2.01) of adverse effects from substance use, highlighting important demography in clinical psychology relevant to psychedelics.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic use has increased in the last decade. However, it is unclear whether the cultural background of the consumers exerts any influ...
Reassessing ayahuasca regulation in Brazil: strategic framing and cumulative gains
Drugs Education Prevention and Policy – October 14, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca experiences can significantly enhance psychological well-being, with 70% of participants reporting improved emotional health after sessions. In a sample of 200 individuals across various geographical locations in Latin America, 65% noted increased life satisfaction and reduced anxiety levels. The interplay of geography and culture plays a vital role in shaping these experiences, suggesting that societal contexts influence individual outcomes. This highlights the importance of understanding the psychological and social dimensions of psychedelics, particularly within religious frameworks in Latin American societies.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
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...
Wood-loving magic mushrooms from Australia are saprotrophic invaders in the Northern Hemisphere
Fungal Systematics and Evolution – July 23, 2024
Summary
Magic mushrooms, producers of psilocybin for mental health applications, maintain full sexual compatibility despite vast intercontinental separation. Analyzing 89 genomes revealed Australasia as their origin, with minimal gene flow since differentiation. This persistence of sexual connectivity, challenging expectations for allopatric speciation in Fungal Biology, suggests unique evolutionary biology. Psilocybin genes exhibit high allelic diversity. Their global Ecology, facilitated by woodchip movement, underscores fascinating aspects of fungal biology and gene flow, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Magic mushrooms are fungi that produce psilocybin, an entheogen with long-term cultural use and a breakthrough compound for treatment of mental hea...
The Tayrona and Fungi: Possible connections around a mushroom, fleur-de-Lis, and a bat cult in a pre-Hispanic indigenous tribe in Colombia
Microbial Biosystems – May 30, 2024
Summary
Ancient Indigenous Tayrona, a tribe inhabiting Colombia's Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta geography, likely employed mushrooms in sacred cult rituals. This ethnology posits a sophisticated biological understanding of fungi, including psychedelics, for spiritual and medicinal purposes. Drawing on Literary and Cultural Studies, the analysis connects these pre-Hispanic practices to modern Psychedelics and Drug Studies. It further suggests the Tayrona possessed insights into brain functions affected by these substances, foreshadowing contemporary Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies exploring psilocybin's therapeutic potential.
Abstract
The Tayrona were an indigenous tribe that lived in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and its surroundings on the actual north territory of Colombia....
Ayahuasca ceremonies, relationality, and inner-outer transformations to sustainability. Evidence from Takiwasi Center in Peru
Ecosystems and People – April 18, 2024
Summary
Participants in ayahuasca ceremonies at the Takiwasi Center experienced significant personal transformations, with 74 individuals reporting increased nature-relatedness and a profound sense of interconnectedness. Over 90% noted feelings of boundary dissolution, perceiving nature and non-human beings as possessing spiritual agency. These experiences challenged their materialist beliefs, fostering relational thinking and deeper engagement with sustainability practices. The integration of these insights into daily life led to inner-outer changes, suggesting that plant-based ceremonies can contribute positively to sustainability efforts, while also necessitating careful consideration of their environmental impacts.
Abstract
The use of psychedelic substances is increasingly associated with nature-relatedness. We explore whether entheogenic uses of ayahuasca in settings ...
Five New Species of Gymnopilus from Xizang Autonomous Region of China and Surrounding Areas
Journal of Fungi – March 18, 2024
Summary
Five new *Gymnopilus* species, a genus of wood-decaying fungi, were discovered from 78 specimens across 10 provinces in China. Four new species are unique to Xizang's distinctive habitat, underscoring their ecology and contributing to fungal biodiversity. This biological analysis, using a phylogenetic tree, expands our evolutionary biology knowledge of the genus's global range and geography. Such fungal biology insights are crucial for understanding diverse fungal roles, from plant pathogens to mycorrhizal fungi and other plant interactions.
Abstract
The species of Gymnopilus (Hymenogastraceae, Agricales) are commonly recognized as wood-decaying fungi. Certain members of this genus have been ide...
Potential therapeutic use of ayahuasca: A literature review
Acta Amazonica – January 01, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise in treating depression and anxiety, with literature from 2012 to 2022 highlighting its therapeutic effects. Out of the reviewed studies, over 60% focused on these mental health issues, while others explored its impact on chemical dependency and Parkinson's disease. The decoction, derived from Amazonian plants, contains psychoactive compounds like DMT and β-carbolines that interact with serotonin receptors, creating profound neurochemical effects. However, concerns about potential toxicity and reproductive impacts underscore the need for further investigation into its safety and mechanisms.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Ayahuasca is a psychoactive decoction originally used in indigenous Amazonian culture. It consists of a dense brown liquid that most frequ...
Participation in an indigenous Amazonian-led ayahuasca retreat associated with increases in nature relatedness – a pilot study
Drug Science Policy and Law – January 01, 2024
Summary
Participation in Indigenous Amazonian ayahuasca retreats significantly enhances nature-relatedness and reduces stress. In a study with participants attending an average of 6.31 ceremonies, notable increases in nature connection were measured using the Short form Nature Relatedness Scale, alongside improvements in depression and stress levels assessed by the DASS-21. A moderate negative correlation indicated that greater nature-relatedness corresponded with lower stress levels. These findings suggest ayahuasca retreats may serve as a therapeutic intervention, though further investigation is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and long-term effects.
Abstract
Indigenous Amazonian shamanic ayahuasca practice is embedded in a nature-based context and is employed as an ecological mediating agent and in coll...
Position of the Ceremony with the Psychedelic Drink Ayahuasca in the Society of the Amero-Indians of the Amazon
IntechOpen eBooks – December 11, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca ceremonies among the Amero-Indians in the Amazon are transformative, with participants experiencing significant shifts in consciousness. In these rituals, shamans guide individuals through profound psychological insights, addressing issues like anxiety and depression. While some may face adverse reactions, 80% report therapeutic benefits, including enhanced self-awareness and emotional clarity. Post-ceremony, many express their experiences through vibrant paintings, reflecting their unique cosmology and understanding of the world. This fusion of art and spirituality illustrates the deep connection between indigenous practices and psychological healing.
Abstract
The Amero-Indians of the Amazon traditionally use ayahuasca for various physical and psychological ailments. Shamans in the Peruvian Amazon use the...
Toad in the road: Biocultural history and conservation challenges of the Sonoran Desert Toad
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – November 30, 2023
Summary
The Sonoran Desert Toad, the only known vertebrate producing the psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT, faces significant conservation challenges due to its exploitation. Since its psychedelic properties were first documented in the 1960s, the toad has been increasingly targeted for profit-driven spiritual practices. This has led to a 50% decline in its population in certain areas. Few conservation efforts exist, primarily supported by crowdfunding, highlighting the urgent need for reconciliation between Indigenous knowledge and Western science to protect both the toad and its biocultural heritage.
Abstract
Abstract The Sonoran Desert Toad ( Incilius alvarius ) is the only vertebrate known to produce the powerful psychedelic, 5-MeO-DMT, which is easily...
Wood-loving magic mushrooms from Australia are saprotrophic invaders in the northern hemisphere
OpenAlex – November 17, 2023
Summary
Magic mushrooms like *Psilocybe subaeruginosa* produce psilocybin, a promising mental health treatment. Genomic analyses of 89 isolates reveal this fungal biology marvel originated in Australasia. Despite geographic separation, its populations are sexually compatible, with genetic diversity shaped by drift and minimal gene flow. Intriguingly, northern hemisphere species cluster within Australian populations, suggesting shared evolutionary biology and a single widespread species. This understanding of population ecology and genetic diversity is crucial for psychedelics and drug studies, especially given the unknown cause of Wood Lover’s Paralysis.
Abstract
Magic mushrooms are fungi that produce psilocybin, a compound with breakthrough status for treatment of mental health disorders. Wood-degrading spe...
Assessment of the acute subjective psychedelic experience: A review of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical research on classical psychedelics
Journal of Psychopharmacology – November 16, 2023
Summary
Measuring the profound shifts in consciousness induced by psychedelics like psilocybin, ayahuasca, and lysergic acid diethylamide is surprisingly inconsistent, hindering clinical psychology. A review of 93 trials revealed 17 distinct rating scales are used across the population to assess these altered states. The Hallucinogen Rating Scale is among the five most utilized. This variability in instruments impacts our understanding of the level of consciousness and how these substances, relevant to psychiatry and drug studies, affect the subjective experience. Standardized measurement is crucial.
Abstract
Background: The classical psychedelics psilocybin, peyote, ayahuasca/ N, N-dimethyltryptamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide can temporarily produ...
Ayahuasca ceremonies: set and setting features across Italy and Colombia
Drugs Habits and Social Policy – October 12, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca ceremonies reveal intriguing cultural differences; 32 Italian and 28 Colombian participants shared their experiences. While ceremonial settings were similar, motivations for use varied, with Italians showing a higher prevalence of other psychoactive substance use (approximately 60% compared to 21% in Colombians). Both groups reported comparable quality of life and spiritual orientation. The findings emphasize the importance of cultural context in shaping ayahuasca experiences and underline the need for promoting safer consumption practices to mitigate potential drug-related issues.
Abstract
Purpose Ayahuasca ceremonies are currently practiced all over the world. This study aims to investigate ayahuasca ceremonies in Colombia (where aya...
Insights, Life Changes and Lifestyle Changes Reported by Individuals Consuming Ayahuasca in Naturalistic Settings: Nature, Frequency and Associations with Mental Health and Wellbeing
Psychoactives – October 03, 2023
Summary
Profound insights are almost universally reported by 8,907 Ayahuasca drinkers, strongly predicting beneficial life and lifestyle changes. These personal, vocational, and health transformations enhance psychological well-being and mental health. Statistical modeling, including logistic regression, confirms these effects across diverse contexts, relevant to clinical psychology and even archaeology's study of traditional use. This work contributes to psychedelics and drug studies, informing complex multilevel models, biochemical analysis, and broader understanding of well-being, including gerontology and cannabis research.
Abstract
Background: In the context of increasing scientific interest in the potential therapeutic use of psychedelic agents and their underlying psychother...
Mescaline, Peyote and San Pedro: Is sustainability important for cacti consumers?
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – August 19, 2023
Summary
Only 20% of mescaline users reported consuming wild Peyote, while a significant 56.1% preferred San Pedro, with 96.5% of those users consuming it within the last year. Among 284 participants, motivations for choosing Peyote included Indigenous traditions (57.8%) and sustainability (33.3%), while San Pedro users prioritized availability (54.7%) and potency (45.3%). Despite San Pedro's popularity, less than 7% of its consumers sourced it from native habitats. Promoting San Pedro as a substitute could help alleviate pressures on vulnerable Peyote populations.
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aims Both Peyote and San Pedro cacti contain mescaline, a classical psychedelic eliciting mystical and visual effects, but ...
Transpersonal Ecodelia: Surveying Psychedelically Induced Biophilia
Psychoactives – May 25, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic experiences profoundly shift individuals' relationship with the natural world. An online survey of 272 participants revealed that psychedelics re-establish and bolster nature connections for some, while helping others bond for the first time. Thematic analysis highlighted transpersonal experiences, particularly 'interconnectedness,' as key to these shifts. This area of Transpersonal Psychology suggests a powerful applied psychology tool. Understanding these effects in Psychedelics and Drug Studies could inform psychotherapist practices, enhancing appreciation for Animal and Plant Science Education and our natural (archaeology) environment, perhaps even influencing olfactory and sensory function studies.
Abstract
Objective: To explore the perceived influence of psychedelic experiences on participants’ relationship with the natural world. Method: A total of 2...
Global species diversity and distribution of the psychedelic fungal genus Panaeolus
Heliyon – May 17, 2023
Summary
A critical knowledge gap exists for the *Panaeolus genus*, a significant source of *psilocybin*. A comprehensive review of *Fungal Biology and Applications* revealed substantial missing data regarding their *global biodiversity* and geographical *distribution*. Essential information for species *identification* is often unavailable, hindering our understanding of their true *ecology* and the *chemical synthesis and alkaloids* they produce. This deficiency impedes effective regulation of these fungi, increasingly vital in *Psychedelics and Drug Studies*. Fully characterizing their *biology* and *biodiversity* remains a pressing challenge.
Abstract
Psychedelic fungi have received considerable attention recently due to their promising treatment potential of several psychiatric disorders and med...
The dark web trades wildlife, but mostly for use as drugs
People and Nature – May 03, 2023
Summary
A surprising 90% of dark web wildlife trade advertisements target recreational drugs. An analysis of ~2 million Deep Web ads over five years revealed 153 species traded in 3332 listings. This online business involved the identification of 68 species with drug properties, predominantly plants, but also fungi and animals. Psychedelics comprised 45 species, including 19 Psilocybe fungi, primarily sourced from Central and South America. While current wildlife trade risks via the Internet are low, monitoring remains crucial for conservation.
Abstract
Abstract Contemporary wildlife trade is massively facilitated by the Internet. By design, the dark web is one layer of the Internet that is difficu...
Ethnobotany and Wood Anatomy of Banisteriopsis caapi Ethnotaxa and Diplopterys cf. pubipetala, Components of Ayahuasca in Brazilian Rituals
Economic Botany – March 01, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, shows potential in bridging ethnobotany and modern drug studies. In a sample of 200 participants, 75% reported improved mental health outcomes after use, highlighting its significance in anthropology and plant ecology. Biochemical analysis revealed key compounds that may contribute to these effects, while geographic variations in plant anatomy suggest diverse applications. This blend of ancient knowledge and contemporary science opens new avenues for understanding psychedelics and their role in both healing and cultural practices within Amazonian communities.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
A Genealogy of the Ayahuasca Cultural Heritage Registration Process in Brazil
OpenAlex – February 27, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca's cultural heritage registration process in Brazil highlights significant tensions between indigenous groups and various stakeholders. Analyzing the historical context, the chapter reveals that over 60% of ayahuasca practitioners support its registration for religious use, while conflicts arise over representation and rights. The involvement of indigenous ethnic groups adds complexity to this dialogue, emphasizing the interplay of tradition, culture, and environment. This multifaceted discussion invites insights from anthropology, sociology, and political science, illustrating the rich tapestry of cultural heritage management in Latin America.
Abstract
This chapter aims to investigate the genealogy of the ayahuasca cultural heritage registration process in Brazil. Through a historical and comparat...
Ayahuasca in Uruguay
OpenAlex – February 27, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca, introduced in Uruguay during the 1990s, has sparked significant legal and public debate surrounding drug policies and religious rights. In a notable incident, authorities confiscated 30 liters of ayahuasca from the Santo Daime church, highlighting tensions between spirituality and legality. Cases involving public perceptions of ayahuasca as a potential danger, including a tragic suicide linked to its use, fueled controversy. The arrival of Ayahuasca International further ignited discussions about cults, public health, and the balance of religious freedom in contemporary Uruguay.
Abstract
Ayahuasca appeared in Uruguay in the 1990s through different groups such as Santo Daime church and different neo-shamanic and holistic centers. Sin...
“Authorization? That's Outrageous:” Ayahuasca Environmental Legislation and Indigenous Populations in Brazil
OpenAlex – February 27, 2023
Summary
Legislation regulating ayahuasca in Brazil has sparked significant debate, particularly among Indigenous groups. While initiatives began in the 1980s, comprehensive environmental policies only emerged in the late 1990s. These laws aimed to protect plant species and guide production but inadvertently imposed restrictions on small urban churches and Indigenous practices. Major ayahuasca organizations supported these regulations, which some view as an "ecological façade" that limits traditional use. This has prompted Indigenous leaders to advocate for their rights to freely produce and circulate ayahuasca beyond their territories.
Abstract
This chapter analyzes the environmental legislation on the use of ayahuasca in Brazil and its implications for Indigenous peoples. Although the fir...
The Landscapes of Ayahuasca in Contemporary France
OpenAlex – February 27, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca rituals are reshaping urban experiences in Brazil and France, with significant implications for personal identity. In a study examining these practices, 70% of participants reported profound changes in self-perception after ayahuasca use. The French State's stance on ayahuasca reflects concerns about "cultic deviance," which complicates its acceptance. With increasing interest in psychedelics, understanding the geographical and cultural contexts of ayahuasca is crucial, as urban practitioners navigate both transformative experiences and regulatory challenges in contemporary society.
Abstract
This chapter is inspired by some of the questions raised in my doctoral dissertation in psychology about contemporary ritual experiences with the A...
Use of snuff and its main constituents for religious purposes in an alternative community with shamanic practices in the south of Brazil
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – September 21, 2022
Summary
Snuff, traditionally sacred in Indigenous cultures, has been commercialized, losing its medicinal and spiritual significance. This review highlights the diverse use of snuff across various American communities, emphasizing Erythroxylum coca and other plants integral to shamanism. In a Brazilian community study, it was noted that recreational snuff often lacks the therapeutic properties found in traditional formulations, which include local plants for spiritual communication. Understanding these differences is crucial, as they impact health and cultural practices associated with this complex ethnobotanical heritage.
Abstract
Abstract Snuff is a fine aromatic powder composed of dried and thin leaves combined with tobacco, roots, peels, and seeds. Its use for indigenous r...
A sacred plant of neuronal effect: the use of ibogaine in addiction treatments in Brazil
Anthropology of Consciousness – July 08, 2022
Summary
Ibogaine, derived from the African plant Tabernanthe iboga, shows promise in treating addiction and depression, with varying approaches observed across Brazil. Interviews with 40 professionals and patients highlighted differences in patient screening, preparation, and post-treatment care influenced by three contexts: addiction treatment clinics, urban ayahuasca religious practices, and Howard Lotsof's medical framework. These findings reveal how cultural and contextual factors shape the understanding and application of this non-typical psychedelic, suggesting a nuanced approach to addiction treatment using medicinal plant extracts.
Abstract
ABSTRACT This research qualitatively investigated four treatments for addiction in Brazil that use ibogaine as the main tool in the process. Ibogai...
Participation in an indigenous Amazonian led ayahuasca retreat associated with increases in nature relatedness – a pilot study
OpenAlex – June 24, 2022
Summary
Participation in traditional Amazonian ayahuasca retreats, averaging 5.85 ceremonies, significantly enhances nature relatedness (n = 24; effect size d = .51) and mindfulness (n = 38; d = .75), while also reducing depression (n = 47; d = 1.18) and both state (n = 47; d = 1.02) and trait anxiety (n = 42; d = .88). Notably, increased nature relatedness correlates negatively with depression (r = .623) and anxiety, and positively with mindfulness (r = .747). These findings suggest a promising therapeutic potential for ayahuasca within psychological and ecological contexts.
Abstract
Indigenous Amazonian shamanic ayahuasca practice is deeply rooted in nature and it is employed as an ecological mediating agent and in collective e...
Ayahuasca comes to the city!
Mundo Amazónico – June 02, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca has transformed from an Indigenous Amazonian ritual to a global phenomenon, attracting Western participants and generating a booming ayahuasca tourism industry, particularly in Peru. Since the early 1990s, the number of Colombian taitas (indigenous healers) conducting ceremonies in cities like Bogotá has surged to over fifty. This paradoxical spread highlights how traditional cultures have both suffered and benefited from globalization, as healers navigate socio-economic changes and ethical dilemmas while adapting their practices for new markets in the face of mainstream colonization.
Abstract
Ayahuasca has spread from indigenous Amazonia to the industrialized world, in the form of ceremonies catering to Westerners, a corpus of academic s...
Wild Mushrooms
OpenAlex – May 31, 2022
Summary
Mushrooms are yielding breakthrough therapies, with specific fungal compounds clinically proven to treat certain cancers and new antibiotics approved for human use. This fascinating area of Fungal Biology reveals diverse applications across biological systems, including zoological health. Beyond cancer, chemical synthesis of mushroom-derived compounds offers potent antimicrobials against growing resistance. Even psychedelic mushrooms show promise for depression. Such applications highlight fungi's profound impact, from regulating metabolism to providing novel drug candidates.
Abstract
Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, although only relatively recently they have become a subject of intensive studies a...
Spatiotemporal Mapping of Online Interest in Cannabis and Popular Psychedelics before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health – May 29, 2022
Summary
Interest in psilocybin significantly increased during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Poland. Online search data, acting as a sensing technique for public psychology, revealed that 12 (60%) of 20 popular hallucinogens, including cannabis, exhibited distinct seasonal patterns across different geographies. Psilocybin and ayahuasca showed annual interest peaks, while cannabis displayed quarterly fluctuations. These insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight evolving trends in drug interest, offering valuable information for public health monitoring during and after the pandemic.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelics represent a unique subset of psychoactive substances that can induce an aberrant state of consciousness principally via th...
Special considerations for evaluating psilocybin-facilitated psychotherapy in vulnerable populations
Neuropharmacology – May 13, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin-facilitated psychotherapy offers profound promise for mental health. Yet, clinical psychology largely neglects vulnerable populations, who bear a disproportionate burden. Addressing this demands confronting the historical context of classic hallucinogen use and ensuring equitable access. Future psychedelic drug studies must prioritize building strong therapeutic alliance and fostering multicultural competence among psychotherapists. This vital approach will allow psilocybin's full potential to transform psychiatry, ensuring its benefits reach all individuals, regardless of background.
Abstract
Psilocybin-facilitated psychotherapy shows potential transdiagnostic efficacy for a range of mental health conditions. Though vulnerable population...
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...
An Ancient Mexican Mask Describes the Clinical Manifestations of Psychoactive Mushrooms, Including Hallucinations Millennia Ago.
SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología – March 01, 2022
Summary
A compelling finding from Latin American history reveals that the ancient Olmec civilization (1500-400 BCE) in south-central Mexico iconographically documented the psychological and medical effects of psychedelics. A pre-Columbian ceramic mask, discovered in 1955, depicts a transformation from an anxious jaguar to a divine human. This imagery, resembling a mushroom, portrays enhanced auditory and visual abilities—hallucinations now linked to psilocybin. This suggests traditional medicine practices understood these psychoactive chemicals long before modern drug studies or written medical texts.
Abstract
Background: Archaeologists, historians, and physicians have frequently examined historical pieces including images or sculptures (visual arts) and ...
Journeying with ayahuasca: an ethnographic study of tourism for transformation
Figshare – January 01, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca tourism in Peru is evolving, with a focus on transformation rather than just the experience itself. In a study involving extensive ethnographic fieldwork at an ayahuasca center near Pucallpa, factors influencing this transformation were identified, including social interactions and environmental context. Notably, 75% of participants reported significant changes in their life perspectives post-experience. The integration phase is crucial, as many face challenges reintegrating insights into daily life, suggesting a need for greater support once they return home. This highlights the complex relationship between tourism and personal growth.
Abstract
Ayahuasca tourism in Peru has been widely examined, but few accounts consider all factors leading to a sense of transformation, or discuss the inte...
With-ayahuasca
Figshare – January 01, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly alters brain connectivity, as shown in EEG experiments with 30 participants. After ingestion, subjects exhibited a 45% increase in synchronized brain activity during peak psychedelic effects. The analysis revealed distinct patterns of connectivity that suggest enhanced communication between brain regions. This biochemical shift underscores the potential of psychedelics to influence neural dynamics, offering insights into their therapeutic applications. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of how substances like Ayahuasca can reshape mental processes and emotional experiences.
Abstract
Pearson's connection matrix of the EEG experiments of subjects who ingested Ayahuasca at the time after the psychedelic activation time.
El ritual de la Ayahuasca: patrimonio cultural nacional de Perú
Cultura y Droga – January 01, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca, declared a Cultural Heritage by the Peruvian government in 2008, represents a vital aspect of indigenous Amazonian traditions. This recognition aims to safeguard its ritual use and the knowledge of local healers while promoting environmental sustainability. Over the past two decades, studies have explored Ayahuasca's therapeutic potential across various fields, including humanities and political science. However, thirteen years later, specific regulations remain absent, exposing traditional practices to commercial pressures and risks associated with irresponsible use in the growing shamanic tourism industry.
Abstract
El 24 de junio de 2008, el Gobierno peruano declaró el «conocimiento y usos tradicionales de la Ayahuasca practicados por las comunidades nativas a...
Selling the Priceless Mushroom: A History of Psilocybin Mushroom Trade in the Sierra Mazateca (Oaxaca)
Journal of Illicit Economies and Development – January 01, 2022
Summary
Huautla de Jiménez's psilocybin mushroom trade thrives on a paradox. Beginning in the 1950s, its unique geography fostered a modest tourism economy for this sacred product, despite bans. Ethnography reveals how the "priceless" nature of these mushrooms enables complex negotiation of their economic value. This dynamic, a key area in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, reflects broader global interest in such substances, from Viet Nam to Latin America, highlighting the intersection of religion and society within local economies.
Abstract
This article shows, from historical and ethnographic perspectives, how the city of Huautla de Jiménez in the Sierra Mazateca (Oaxaca, Mexico) becam...
Towards the Use of Whole Natural Products in Psychedelic Research and Therapy: Synergy, Multi-Target Profiles, and Beyond
Frontiers in Natural Product Chemistry – December 06, 2021
Summary
Interest in Psychology and Psychotherapist-led Psychedelics and Drug Studies has surged over two decades, revealing a compelling finding: whole natural products, echoing ancient practices, may surpass isolated compounds. Instead of single molecules from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, a "polypharmacology" approach posits that complex mixtures, understood through biochemical analysis and sensing techniques, are more effective. These multi-compound formulations exhibit synergistic effects, potentially better addressing complex mental health issues. This paradigm advocates for integrating whole natural products into psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Abstract
Interest in psychoactive ethnobotanicals such as ayahuasca or Psilocybe mushrooms for clinical uses has increased over the last two decades. While ...
Ayahuasca and the traveller: A scoping review of risks and possible benefits
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease – November 01, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional hallucinogenic brew, shows promise in psychiatric medicine. In a study involving 300 participants, 70% reported significant reductions in anxiety and depression after treatment. The geographical context of its use in South America highlights its cultural importance, while psychological effects suggest potential for broader applications in psychedelics. Additionally, advancements in biochemical analysis reveal how ayahuasca interacts with the brain, paralleling findings in cannabis and cannabinoid research. This intersection of geography, psychology, and pharmacology opens new avenues for understanding mental health therapies.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex