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Soma and Haoma: Ayahuasca Analogues from the Late Bronze Age
ORIGINAL ARTICLE Journal of Psychedelic Studies 3(2), pp. 104–116 (2019) DOI: 10.1556/2054.2019.013 First published online July 25, 2019 Soma and Haoma: Ayahuasca analogues from the Late Bronze Age MATTHEW CLARK* School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Department of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, University of London, London, UK (Received: October 19, 2018; accepted: March 14, 2019) In this article, the origins of the cult of the ritual drink known as soma/haoma are explored. Various shortcomings of the main botanical candidates that have so far been proposed for this so-called “nectar of immortality” are assessed. Attention is brought to a variety of plants identified as soma/haoma in ancient Asian literature. Some of these plants are included in complex formulas and are sources of dimethyl tryptamine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and other psychedelic substances. It is suggested that through trial and error the same kinds of formulas that are used to make ayahuasca in South America were developed in antiquity in Central Asia and that the knowledge of the psychoactive properties of certain plants spreads through migrants from Central Asia to Persia and India. This article summarizes the main arguments for the botanical identity of soma/haoma, which is presented in my book, The Tawny One: Soma, Haoma and Ayahuasca (Muswell Hill Press, London/New York). However, in this article, all the topics dealt with in that publication, such as the possible ingredients of the potion used in Greek mystery rites, an extensive discussion of cannabis, or criteria that we might use to demarcate non-ordinary states of consciousness, have not been elaborated. -
Near the Himalayas, from Kashmir to Sikkim, at Altitudes the Catholic Inquisition, and the Traditional Use of These of up to 2700 Meters
Year of edition: 2018 Authors of the text: Marc Aixalà & José Carlos Bouso Edition: Alex Verdaguer | Genís Oña | Kiko Castellanos Illustrations: Alba Teixidor EU Project: New Approaches in Harm Reduction Policies and Practices (NAHRPP) Special thanks to collaborators Alejandro Ponce (in Peyote report) and Eduardo Carchedi (in Kambó report). TECHNICAL REPORT ON PSYCHOACTIVE ETHNOBOTANICALS Volumes I - II - III ICEERS International Center for Ethnobotanical Education Research and Service INDEX SALVIA DIVINORUM 7 AMANITA MUSCARIA 13 DATURA STRAMONIUM 19 KRATOM 23 PEYOTE 29 BUFO ALVARIUS 37 PSILOCYBIN MUSHROOMS 43 IPOMOEA VIOLACEA 51 AYAHUASCA 57 IBOGA 67 KAMBÓ 73 SAN PEDRO 79 6 SALVIA DIVINORUM SALVIA DIVINORUM The effects of the Hierba Pastora have been used by Mazatec Indians since ancient times to treat diseases and for divinatory purposes. The psychoactive compound Salvia divinorum contains, Salvinorin A, is the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive substance known. BASIC INFO Ska Pastora has been used in divination and healing Salvia divinorum is a perennial plant native to the Maza- rituals, similar to psilocybin mushrooms. Maria Sabina tec areas of the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains of Mexi- told Wasson and Hofmann (the discoverers of its Mazatec co. Its habitat is tropical forests, where it grows between usage) that Salvia divinorum was used in times when the- 300 and 800 meters above sea level. It belongs to the re was a shortage of mushrooms. Some sources that have Lamiaceae family, and is mainly reproduced by cuttings done later feldwork point out that the use of S. divinorum since it rarely produces seeds. may be more widespread than originally believed, even in times when mushrooms were abundant. -
Vít Pokorný Psychonauticon
Vít Pokorný Psychonauticon LIBRI NIGRI 71 Edited by Hans Rainer Sepp Editorial Board Suzi Adams ∙ Adelaide │ Babette Babich ∙ New York │ Kimberly Baltzer-Jaray ∙ Waterloo, Ontario │ Damir Barbarić ∙ Zagreb │ Marcus Brainard ∙ London │ Martin Cajthaml ∙ Olomouc │ Mauro Carbone ∙ Lyon │ Chan Fai Cheung ∙ Hong Kong │ Cristian Ciocan ∙ Bucure şti │ Ion Copoeru ∙ Cluj-Napoca │ Renato Cristin ∙ Trieste │ Riccardo Dottori ∙ Roma │ Eddo Evink ∙ Groningen │ Matthias Flatscher ∙ Wien │ Dimitri Ginev ∙ Sofia │ Jean-Christophe Goddard ∙ Toulouse │ Andrzej Gniazdowski ∙ Warszawa │ Ludger Hagedorn ∙ Wien │ Terri J. Hennings ∙ Freiburg │ Seongha Hong ∙ Jeollabukdo │ Edmundo Johnson ∙ Santiago de Chile │ René Kaufmann ∙ Dresden │ Vakhtang Kebuladze ∙ Kyjiw │ Dean Komel ∙ Ljubljana │ Pavlos Kontos ∙ Patras │ Kwok-ying Lau ∙ Hong Kong │ Mette Lebech ∙ Maynooth │ Nam-In Lee ∙ Seoul │ Monika Małek ∙ Wrocław │ Balázs Mezei ∙ Budapest │ Viktor Molchanov ∙ Moskwa │ Liangkang Ni ∙ Guanghzou │ Cathrin Nielsen ∙ Frankfurt am Main │ Ashraf Noor ∙ Jerusalem │ Ka rel Novotný ∙ Praha │ Luis Román Rabanaque ∙ Buenos Aires │ Gian Maria Raimondi ∙ Pisa │ Rosemary Rizo-Patrón de Lerner ∙ Lima │ Kiyoshi Sakai ∙ Tokyo │ Javier San Martín ∙ Madrid │ Alexander Schnell ∙ Paris │ Marcia Schuback ∙ Stockholm │ Agustín Serrano de Haro ∙ Madrid │ Tatiana Shchyttsova ∙ Vilnius │ Olga Shparaga ∙ Minsk │ Michael Staudigl ∙ Wien │ Georg Stenger ∙ Wien │ Silvia Stoller ∙ Wien │ Ananta Sukla ∙ Cuttack │ Toru Tani ∙ Kyoto │ Detlef Thiel ∙ Wiesbaden │ Ľubica Učník ∙ Perth │ Pol Vandevelde -
Psychedelic Unselfing and Moral Perception
Psychedelic Unselfing and Moral Perception A Philosophical Account of the Change of Values Induced by Psychedelic Experiences Juuso Viljami Kähönen University of Helsinki Faculty of Social Sciences Philosophy Master’s Thesis April 2020 Abstract Scientific and scholarly attention to psychedelics has recently faced a resurgence. Recent studies suggest that psychedelic experiences can change values and behavioral dispositions, for example increase appreciation of nature and increase prosocial behavior. For this reason psychedelics have been identified as a promising option for moral neuroenhancement. However, we still struggle to understand these changes in the valuations psychedelics induce, or why exactly they are morally enhancing. In this thesis I construct a philosophical framework to understand these changes. I combine Iris Murdoch and Abraham Maslow’s thinking with empirical studies on psychedelics and experiences of self-transcendence. Psychedelics induce experiences of self-transcendence which involve evaluative changes. I argue that these changes are not random but result from an intelligible process. I first claim that psychedelics in some cases induce unselfing, that is, perspectival and evaluative changes resulting from reduction of salience attributed to oneself. By reducing egoic centering, unselfing opens our attention to the world and can cause perspectival widening from egocentric into more allocentric (other- directed) or cosmocentric (universal) perspective. The second main claim is that the process of unselfing is often connected to sharpened perception of values. The increased attention to the world and reduced egocentric attributions of salience, resulting from unselfing, can widen our evaluative context and make it possible to perceive or grasp intrinsic values better, thus ‘tuning the moral compass’ away from instrumental egocentric mode of evaluation. -
Psychedelic Gospels
The Psychedelic Gospels The Psychedelic Gospels The Secret History of Hallucinogens in Christianity Jerry B. Brown, Ph.D., and Julie M. Brown, M.A. Park Street Press Rochester, Vermont • Toronto, Canada Park Street Press One Park Street Rochester, Vermont 05767 www.ParkStPress.com Park Street Press is a division of Inner Traditions International Copyright © 2016 by Jerry B. Brown and Julie M. Brown All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Note to the Reader: The information provided in this book is for educational, historical, and cultural interest only and should not be construed in any way as advocacy for the use of hallucinogens. Neither the authors nor the publishers assume any responsibility for physical, psychological, legal, or any other consequences arising from these substances. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data [cip to come] Printed and bound in XXXXX 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Text design and layout by Priscilla Baker This book was typeset in Garamond Premier Pro with Albertus and Myriad Pro used as display typefaces All Bible quotations are from the King James Bible Online. A portion of proceeds from the sale of this book will support the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Founded in 1986, MAPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. -
A Psychedelic Education: How an Initial Encounter with LSD Changed My Mind and Shaped My Life and Career*
ORIGINAL ARTICLE Journal of Psychedelic Studies 3(1), pp. 35–40 (2019) DOI: 10.1556/2054.2019.006 First published online March 5, 2019 A psychedelic education: How an initial encounter with LSD changed my mind and shaped my life and career* RONALD LEE ZIGLER** Social Science Division, Penn State Abington, Abington, PA, USA (Received: January 21, 2019; accepted: February 11, 2019) In a letter to Humphrey Osmond in 1953, Aldous Huxley speculated about a “new system” of education in which psychedelics may play a part “by making it possible for young people to ‘taste and see’ what they have learned about at second hand, or directly but at a lower level of intensity, in the writings of the religious, or the works of poets, painters and musicians.” In 1968, the author unwittingly engaged himself in this “new system” of education. This essay details the events that led to his initial experience with LSD as well as how that initial encounter proved to be a seminal experience in his life, changed his mind, and shaped his career path. Keywords: education, visionary experiences, spiritual, religion, LSD INTRODUCTION educational experiences of my life. In this respect, I am only applying a basic tenet of the educational philosopher At the time of renewed awareness and, possibly, acceptance John Dewey. Namely, that at its most basic level, education “ of the application of psychedelics in our culture, I have been is all about the process of forming fundamental disposi- provided an incentive for revisiting my own psychedelic tions, intellectual and emotional, toward nature and ” experiences. -
Chemical Evidence for the Use of Multiple Psychotropic Plants in a 1,000-Year-Old Ritual Bundle from South America
Chemical evidence for the use of multiple psychotropic plants in a 1,000-year-old ritual bundle from South America Melanie J. Millera,b,1, Juan Albarracin-Jordanc, Christine Moored, and José M. Caprilese,1 aDepartment of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; bArchaeological Research Facility, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720; cInstituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas y Arqueológicas, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia; dImmunalysis Corporation, Pomona, CA 91767; and eDepartment of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 Edited by Linda R. Manzanilla, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México, Mexico, D.F., Mexico, and approved April 9, 2019 (received for review February 6, 2019) Over several millennia, various native plant species in South these resources together. Using liquid chromatography tandem America have been used for their healing and psychoactive prop- mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we tested for the presence of erties. Chemical analysis of archaeological artifacts provides an psychoactive compounds in the materials that composed a 1,000- opportunity to study the use of psychoactive plants in the past year-old ritual bundle excavated in a dry rock shelter from and to better understand ancient botanical knowledge systems. southwestern Bolivia. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze organic residues from a ritual bundle, radio- The Ritual Bundle from the Cueva del Chileno carbon dated to approximately 1,000 C.E., recovered from archae- The Sora River valley, located in the Lípez highlands of south- ological excavations in a rock shelter located in the Lípez Altiplano western Bolivia, is a narrow basin outlined by two parallel ig- of southwestern Bolivia. -
Recreational Use, Analysis and Toxicity of Tryptamines
Send Orders for Reprints to [email protected] 26 Current Neuropharmacology, 2015, 13, 26-46 Recreational Use, Analysis and Toxicity of Tryptamines Roberta Tittarelli1, Giulio Mannocchi1, Flaminia Pantano1 and Francesco Saverio Romolo1,2,* 1Legal Medicine Section, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 336, 00161 Rome, Italy; 2Institut de Police Scientifique, Université de Lausanne, Batochime, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Abstract: The definition New psychoactive substances (NPS) refers to emerging drugs whose chemical structures are similar to other psychoactive compounds but not identical, representing a “legal” alternative to internationally controlled drugs. There are many categories of NPS, such as synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, phenylethylamines, piperazines, ketamine derivatives and tryptamines. Tryptamines are naturally occurring compounds, which can derive from the amino acid tryptophan by several biosynthetic pathways: their structure is a combination of a benzene ring Roberta Tittarelli and a pyrrole ring, with the addition of a 2-carbon side chain. Tryptamines include serotonin and melatonin as well as other compounds known for their hallucinogenic properties, such as psilocybin in ‘Magic mushrooms’ and dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in Ayahuasca brews. Aim: To review the scientific literature regarding tryptamines and their derivatives, providing a summary of all the available information about the structure of these compounds, their effects in relationship with the routes of administration, their pharmacology and toxicity, including articles reporting cases of death related to intake of these substances. Methods: A comprehensive review of the published scientific literature was performed, using also non peer-reviewed information sources, such as books, government publications and drug user web fora. -
Altered States: the American Psychedelic Aesthetic
ALTERED STATES: THE AMERICAN PSYCHEDELIC AESTHETIC A Dissertation Presented by Lana Cook to The Department of English in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the field of English Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts April, 2014 1 © Copyright by Lana Cook All Rights Reserved 2 ALTERED STATES: THE AMERICAN PSYCHEDELIC AESTHETIC by Lana Cook ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities of Northeastern University, April, 2014 3 ABSTRACT This dissertation traces the development of the American psychedelic aesthetic alongside mid-twentieth century American aesthetic practices and postmodern philosophies. Psychedelic aesthetics are the varied creative practices used to represent altered states of consciousness and perception achieved via psychedelic drug use. Thematically, these works are concerned with transcendental states of subjectivity, psychic evolution of humankind, awakenings of global consciousness, and the perceptual and affective nature of reality in relation to social constructions of the self. Formally, these works strategically blend realist and fantastic languages, invent new language, experimental typography and visual form, disrupt Western narrative conventions of space, time, and causality, mix genres and combine disparate aesthetic and cultural traditions such as romanticism, surrealism, the medieval, magical realism, science fiction, documentary, and scientific reportage. This project attends to early exemplars of the psychedelic aesthetic, as in the case of Aldous Huxley’s early landmark text The Doors of Perception (1954), forgotten pioneers such as Jane Dunlap’s Exploring Inner Space (1961), Constance Newland’s My Self and I (1962), and Storm de Hirsch’s Peyote Queen (1965), cult classics such as Tom Wolfe’s The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (1968), and ends with the psychedelic aesthetics’ popularization in films like Roger Corman’s The Trip (1967). -
Young People's Perceptions of Novel Psychoactive Substances
Young people’s perceptions of Novel Psychoactive Substances JODIE MARY FREEMAN B.Sc. (Hons) Psychology., M.Sc. Investigative and Forensic Psychology. A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Professional Doctorate in Health and Wellbeing This work or any part thereof has not previously been presented in any form to the University or to any other body whether for the purposes of assessment, publication or for any other purpose (unless otherwise indicated). Save for any express acknowledgements, references and/or bibliographies cited in the work, I confirm that the intellectual content of the work is the result of my own efforts and of no other person. The right of Jodie Mary Freeman to be identified as author of this work is asserted in accordance with ss.79 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. At this date copyright is owned by the author. Signature…………………………………… Date…………………………………………. 1 Abstract Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) also known as “legal highs” replicate the effects of illegal substances such as ecstasy and cocaine. The most common NPS reported are stimulants and synthetic cannabinoids. Despite the Psychoactive Ban (2016) recent reports identified the UK as having the largest market of NPS use anywhere in Europe. These substances have a short history of consumption and consequently little is known about their effects and health implications. Despite this, the sale of NPS is easily achieved through the internet and street dealers. Increased reports of negative health consequences from NPS consumption and research findings highlighting the willingness of young people to consume drugs without knowing what they are, mean it is vital that we investigate young people’s understandings and perceptions of them. -
Ed 079 145 Title Institution Pub Date Note Available From
DOCUMENT RESUME ED 079 145 SE 016 533 TITLE National Clearinghouse for Drug Abuse Information Report Series, Series 15, No. 1. INSTITUTION National Inst. of Mental Health, Rockville, Md. National Clearinghouse for Drug Abuse Information. PUB DATE May 73 NOTE 16p. AVAILABLE FROMNational Clearinghouse for Drug Abuse Information, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852 EDRS PRICE MF-$0.65 HC-$3.29 DESCRIPTORS Chemistry; Drug Abuse;- *Drug Education; Narcotics; *Reports; *Research; Social Sciences; *Stimulants IDENTIFII3RS *Mescaline; Research Reports ABSTRACT Concerned with clarifying some of the more complex issues in drug abuse, the National Clearinghouse for Drug Abuse Information has prepared this special report on mescaline. Background information is provided through a summary of its history, legal status, and the opinions of authorities in the field. Significant research on the subject is presented together with major findings on various aspects of the problem. The pharmacology, chemistry, clinical effects (physiological, psychological, and behavioral), treatment, and patterns of use of the drug are dealt with. Bibliographic references are also listed.(BL) FILMED FROM BESTAVAILABIE COPY US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATIDN & WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO SERIES 15, NO.1 DUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM L.C" THE PERSON OR ORGANIZAT ION ORIGIN MAY 1973 ATING IT POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE SENT OFFICIAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY Nsa' The National Clearinghouse for Drug Abuse Information recognized the need for clarifying some of the more complex issues in drug abuse by gathering the significant research on each subject and summarizing the major findings on various aspects of the problem. -
Salvia Divinorum and Salvinorin a Was Last Updated in 2002
NOTE ON THE ELECTRONIC VERSION (3/26/09) The second edition of Salvia Divinorum and Salvinorin A was last updated in 2002. Because of this, information about the laws surrounding Salvia divinorum in this book should be considered out-of-date, as should information about vendors of Salvia-related products. For more current information on the legal situation surrounding this plant, see www.erowid.org/plants/salvia/salvia_law.shtml and/or www.sagewisdom.org/legalstatus.html. A web search will turn up numerous current vendors of Salvia- related products. Dedicated to the memory of D.M. TURNER October 5, 1962 – January 24, 1997 …I saw a pulsating purplish light that changed to an insectlike shape, per- haps a bee or moth, and then changed to a pulsating sea anemone. It ex- panded into a desert full of prickly pear cacti, and remained so for sev- eral minutes…Suddenly, however, I was in a broad meadow with brightly colored flowers. I had just crossed a stream by way of a small wooden bridge. Next to me was something that seemed to be the skeleton of a giant model airplane made of rain- bow-colored inner tubing. The sky was bright blue and I could see a woods in the distance. I found my- self talking to a man in a shining white robe… — LEANDER J. VALDÉS III “Salvia divinorum and the Unique Diterpene Hallucinogen, Salvinorin (Divinorin) A” (1994) SALVIA DIVINORUM AND SALVINORIN A The Best of The Entheogen Review 1992–2000 Second Edition ER MONOGRAPH SERIES, NO. 2 David Aardvark, Editor The Entheogen Review POB 19820 Sacramento, CA 95819-0820 This book is sold for informational purposes only.