Brazilian Psychedelic Science and the Frontiers of Psychiatry

Psychedelic substances have been used by humanity for millennia to induce non-ordinary states of consciousness, characterized by heightened sensory, emotional, and cognitive experiences, including augmented visual imagery, altered perception of space-time and reality, and profound mystical insights. Many indigenous populations worldwide developed these substances as vital components of healing. In the Amazon, shamans ancestrally used Ayahuasca, a drink made from two plants, to promote physical and psychological healing. The Navajo in North America retain the ancestral use of the peyote cactus as sacred medicine, while the Mazatecs of Mexico used psilocybin-containing mushrooms in their healing rituals.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The use of psychedelic substances has intrigued, benefited, and challenged humanity for millennia. These substances, found regularly in nature, are known to induce non-ordinary states of consciousness. They provide heightened sensory, emotional and cognitive experiences, which include augmented visual imagery, changes in thought, mood, and awareness, perception of space-time and reality and, in many cases, profound insights, and mystical experiences. Throughout history, many indigenous populations around the world developed the use of these substances, especially as a vital component of healing. From the Amazon, for example, Ayahuasca emerged, a drink made from the combination of two plants, used ancestrally by shamans to promote physical and psychological healing. Likewise, indigenous populations in North America, such as the Navajo, retain the ancestral use of the peyote cactus as sacred medicine, while indigenous populations such as the Mazatecs of Mexico used psilocybin-containing mushrooms in their healing rituals