Experiences of Encounters with Ayahuasca—“the Vine of the Soul”
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs December 1, 2009 Anette Kjellgren, Anders Eriksson, Torsten Norlander 97 citations
Western users of ayahuasca describe a predictable sequence of experiences: initial motivation, a frightening contractile state, a sudden transformation, limitless expansive states with transcendental experiences, reflections, and a changed worldview with new life orientation. This structure, named the transcendental circle, emerged from anonymous written descriptions by 25 Northern Europeans who participated in group ayahuasca sessions. Participants reported many positive psychological and physical improvements, suggesting ayahuasca could be of potential interest for developing new medicines and therapies.