Accidental Environmentalism: Nature and Cultivated Affect in European Neoshamanic Ayahuasca Consumption

Existing research shows a positive link between psychedelics and feeling more connected to nature, but the role of specific experiences is not well understood. This paper examines neoshamanic ayahuasca ceremonies in Europe, analyzing how specialists and participants talk about nature during rituals. The author argues that the ritual framings create fertile ground for affective ties to nature to emerge through substance-induced experiences. Even when participants prioritize individual healing or curiosity, environmentalism appears to be anchored by the proceedings themselves. The paper opens up analysis of ceremonial substance use as a contact zone where coherence is produced intersubjectively.

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Abstract

Abstract Existing research demonstrates a positive connection between psychedelics and increased nature relatedness. Enhanced affective ties toward nature are widely framed as being built into the pharmakon itself, and the relevance of experiences remains little understood. This paper turns to neoshamanic ayahuasca ceremonies in Europe, exploring the way specialists and attendants refer to nature in speech and performance. I argue that ritual framings performed during these ceremonies provide fertile ground for affective ties to emerge through substance‐induced experiences. I trace such framings by exploring how medicine and healers are being coded; how specific materialities are rendered meaningful; and how individual experiences are discussed at such retreats. I argue that even while participants prioritize individual healing, personal development, or the satisfaction of psychonautical curiosity, environmentalism appears to be anchored by the proceedings themselves. Thus, this paper opens up for analysis ceremonial substance use as a contact zone where coherence is produced intersubjectively.