International Journal for the Study of New Religions
February 20, 2017
Alex Gearin
15 citations
New Age spirituality is often characterized as individualistic, prioritizing the self and personal interests. This article challenges that view through an ethnographic study of ayahuasca neoshamanism in Australia. Thick ethnographic evidence reveals collectivist logics of social action in ritual practices of ecstatic purging and visions. The author argues that these practices are better understood through the anthropological concept of "dividualism," where the person is seen as multiple, partible, and exchangeable within social relations of obligation. This perspective, drawn from ethnographic theory, creates space for emic theories of social action and contributes to debates about individualism and collectivism in New Age spirituality.
Translational Psychiatry
February 27, 2026
Alex Gearin, Jennifer Docherty, Xiaofan Sun et al.
1 citation
Psychedelic-assisted therapies show clinical promise for reducing depression and anxiety in patients with life-limiting illness, but most protocols reflect Euro-American values. Using Chinese palliative care as an example, the commentary argues that cultural factors such as family-centered decision-making, spiritual beliefs, and stigma will shape how these therapies work in different settings. Cultural humility—ongoing self-reflection, sensitivity to power dynamics, and openness to diverse worldviews—is essential for psychedelic therapy, where patient experiences depend on context and meaning-making. Efficacy is not solely biochemical but also cultural; addressing this translational gap requires humility toward how situated beliefs, norms, and practices interact with psychedelic pharmacology.
Psychedelic Intersections
January 17, 2025
Alex Gearin
The spaces where psychedelic experiences occur are not neutral; environments like forests, urban retreats, or clinics actively shape the affective and perceptual dimensions of the experience. The concept of "psychedelic atmospherics" is introduced to examine how materialities, spaces, and environments intertwine with cosmological and cultural realities to influence psychedelic sessions. Atmospheric elements can guide, amplify, or challenge the visionary and affective qualities that emerge. Recognizing this opens new avenues for ethnographic study and practical considerations in therapy, spirituality, and research.