Ayahuasca and Spiritual Crisis: Liminality as Space for Personal Growth

Westerners who use ayahuasca in the Amazon without adequate screening face increased risk of psychological distress, yet many also report profound spiritual experiences. These episodes may be understood as 'spiritual emergencies'—crises triggered by transformative spiritual experiences. Ethnographic data on indigenous shamanic initiation and liminality theory can help make sense of difficult experiences, though romantic comparisons to shamans should be avoided. Culturally sanctioned psychotherapy, especially from therapists trained in spiritual crises, can assist Western users in meaning-making. Three case studies illustrate individuals working through different crises after ayahuasca ceremonies.

Study at a glance

Abstract

ABSTRACT There is an increased controversy surrounding Westerners' use of ayahuasca. One issue of importance is psychological resiliency of users and lack of screening by ayahuasca tourism groups in the Amazon. Given the powerful effects of ayahuasca coupled with lack of cultural support, Western users are at increased risk for psychological distress. Many Westerners who experience psychological distress following ayahuasca ceremonies report concurrently profound spiritual experiences. Because of this, it may be helpful to consider these episodes “spiritual emergencies,” or crises resulting from intense and transformative spiritual experiences. Although the author warns readers to avoid romantic comparisons of Western ayahuasca users to shamans, ethnographic data on indigenous shamanic initiates along with theory on liminality may be of some use to understand difficult experiences that accompany ayahuasca use. Given that psychotherapy is culturally sanctioned, therapists trained in treating spiritual crises can help Western ayahuasca users make meaning of their distress. Three case studies are offered as examples of individuals working through various sorts of crises following ayahuasca ceremonies.