The antipodes Of the mind

Ayahuasca, a plant-based Amazonian psychotropic brew, induces a special state of mind that is charted comprehensively from a cognitive psychological perspective. The author systematically recorded his own extensive experiences with the brew and interviewed a large number of informants, including indigenous people, shamans, members of different religious sects using Ayahuasca, and travelers. The book lays the theoretical foundations for the psychological study of non-ordinary states of consciousness in general, making it the most thorough study of the Ayahuasca experience to date.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This is a pioneering cognitive psychological study of Ayahuasca, a plant-based Amazonian psychotropic brew. Benny Shanon presents a comprehensive charting of the various facets of the special state of mind induced by Ayahuasca, and analyzes them from a cognitive psychological perspective. He also presents some philosophical reflections. Empirically, the research presented in this book is based on the systematic recording of the author’s extensive experiences with the brew and on the interviewing of a large number of informants: indigenous people, shamans, members of different religious sects using Ayahuasca, and travellers. In addition to its being the most thorough study of the Ayahuasca experience to date, the book lays the theoretical foundations for the psychological study of non-ordinary states of consciousness in general.