Mystical and Ego-Dissolution Experiences in Ayahuasca and Jurema Holistic Rituals: An Exploratory Study
International Journal for the Psychology of Religion April 13, 2023 Robson Savoldi, Antônio Roazzi, Rita Clara de Oliveira Sales 6 citations
Mystical and ego-dissolution experiences can be elicited by entheogens such as ayahuasca and jurema, both containing dimethyltryptamine (DMT) but differing in rituals, symbolism, and origins. In a natural-environment study with 26 participants, ayahuasca sessions produced significantly higher scores for temporal quality, ineffability, and religious quality on the Hood Mysticism Scale compared to jurema sessions, while other facets of ego-dissolution showed no significant differences. Ego-dissolution was positively correlated with temporal and unifying qualities in ayahuasca sessions, and with religious, unifying, and inner subjectivity qualities in jurema sessions. Ethnographic observations and interviews indicate that setting plays a key role in these differences and the meaning of the experience.