The Creative Cycle Processes Model of Spontaneous Imagery Narratives Applied to the Ayahuasca Shamanic Journey
Frank Echenhofer
Anthropology of Consciousness March 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-3537.2012.01057.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | EEG and phenomenology research Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Topics | Ayahuasca Shamanism |
| Keywords | Narrative Experiential learning Phenomenology philosophy Embodied cognition Cognitive science Creativity Mental image Cognitive psychology Epistemology Anthropology Literature |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key points | Ayahuasca caused the greatest changes in EEG beta coherence from 25 to 30 cycles per second compared to a resting state before ingestion, indicating enhanced information exchange between cortical regions. |
Abstract
Abstract Ayahuasca is an A mazonian psychoactive shamanic brew that often elicits spontaneous, intense, and meaningful imagery narratives related to psychological and physical healing, problem solving, knowledge acquisition, community cohesion, creativity, and spiritual development. My EEG and phenomenology ayahuasca research found it caused the greatest changes in EEG beta coherence from 25 to 30 cycles per second compared to a resting state before ayahuasca ingestion. Enhanced beta coherence indexes significantly greater information exchange between cortical regions and is congruent with the reported enhanced richness, complexity, and profundity of ayahuasca experiences. I developed the creative cycle processes model that identifies in ayahuasca reports distinct experiential change processes and describes how these processes, neuroscience, psychotherapy, mythological, and other transdisciplinary evidence can be coherently integrated to explain ayahuasca benefits. The model suggests three change process stages together underlie one emergent dynamic creative cycle process. The sequential stages are Form dismantling and healing processes , form creation processes , where novel forms spontaneously combine, and form expression processes , where emergent experiences are embodied. The model suggests that these three stages repeat cyclically in human development in an ongoing process of dismantling and generation producing more creative experiences and expressive forms.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The antipodes Of the mind Indigenous people, shamans, members of different religious sects using Ayahuasca, and... | 2002 | Qualitative study | |
| Drug Tourism or Spiritual Healing? Ayahuasca Seekers in Amazonia Westerners participating in an ayahuasca retreat in Amazonia | 2005 | Qualitative study | |
| Therapeutic Effects of Ritual Ayahuasca Use in the Treatment of Substance Dependence—Qualitative Results Therapists, expert researchers, and individuals who underwent ayahuasca-assisted... | 2014 | Qualitative study | n = 29 |
| Nourishing the Spirit: Exploratory Research on Ayahuasca Experiences along the Continuum of Recovery from Eating Disorders Individuals previously diagnosed with an eating disorder | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 16 |
| Exploring ayahuasca‐assisted therapy for addiction: A qualitative analysis of preliminary findings among an Indigenous community in Canada Indigenous adults in Canada who participated in ayahuasca-assisted ceremonial retreats | 2019 | Qualitative study | n = 11 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization. Frontiers in Pharmacology March 2, 2016
- Ayahuasca: Uses, Phytochemical and Biological Activities Natural Products and Bioprospecting May 27, 2019
- Harm Reduction or Psychedelic Support? Caring for Drug-Related Crises at Transformational Festivals Dancecult 2015
- ‘Wearing down of the self’: Embodiment, writing and disruptions of identity in transformational festival fieldwork Methodological Innovations 2017
- Drugged Subjectivity, Intoxicating Alterity Anthropology of Consciousness March 2, 2016
and 2 more in the library