Sociopsychotherapeutic Functions of Ayahuasca Healing in Amazonia

Abstract

The social and psychotherapeutic functions of healing rituals with ayahuasca among Amazonian groups are examined, and their healing effectiveness is explained in terms of Western scientific and sociopsychotherapeutic perspectives. The article includes an overview of the preparation and application of ayahuasca, the symbolic adaptations to the process of social change, the role of singing, the perceptive mode during the visionary state, and the structure of the visions. It is noted that the healing activities provide the entire community access to transcendental experiences, which clearly have integrative and cohesive social functions. Ethnopsychology provides important insights into the functions of archaic healing rituals, and can be used to illustrate the transcendental experiences and pathological use of drugs in modern societies.

Drug Tourism or Spiritual Healing? Ayahuasca Seekers in Amazonia

“…NOTES 1. For example Schultes, Hoffman & Riitsch 2001;Groisman & Sell 1996;Dobkin de Rios 1992, 1984Payaguaje 1990;Andritzky 1989;Luna 1986;Naranjo 1983;Harner 1973Harner , 1972Kensinger 1973. 2. This study was construed as exempt from human subjects review because of the ethnographic nature of the study, using informal conversational approaches rather than a formal questionnaire.…”

Methodology for and the determination of the major constituents and metabolites of the Amazonian botanical medicine ayahuasca in human urine

“…A burgeoning 'ayahuasca tourism' trade in South America, an influx of ayahuasca into the West for illicit use and the consumption of home-brewed preparations utilizing both B. caapi and P. viridis (or similar plants), are seen as having implications for public health (Gable, 2007) and for various national and/or international regulatory agencies. The possible medical benefits of ayahuasca (McKenna, 2004;Riba and Barbanoj, 2005) include its antioxidant, antimutagenic and antigenotoxic activity (Moura et al, 2007) as well as putative psychotherapeutic and rehabilitative effects (Andritzky, 1989;Mabit et al, 1996), and a potential to treat conditions such as alcoholism with tendencies toward violence, suicidal behaviors and severe depression (Callaway et al, 1994;Tiihonen et al, 1997;Hallikainen et al, 1999;Mantere et al, 2002). Thus, an examination of the biochemical parameters of ayahuasca, including its metabolism and clearance, will add to our understanding of this Amazonian medicine.…”

Various Alkaloid Profiles in Decoctions ofBanisteriopsis Caapi

“…Moreover, the alka loids in B. caapi have demonstrated medicinal properties, such as antimicrobial (Aqeel et a!. 1992), anthelmintic (Hassan 1967) and vasorelaxant (Shi, Liao & Chen 2001) effects, in addition to sociopsychotherapeutic (Andritzky 1989), ethnopsychiatric (Shepard 1998) and rehabilitative functions (Mabit, Giove & Ve ga 1995).…”