Did the vilca/tobacco snuff combination at Chavín aim for an "ayahuasca effect"?
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A September 15, 2025 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2521671122 (opens in new tab) via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe abstract questions whether the combination of vilca and tobacco snuff used at the ancient Peruvian site of Chavín was intended to produce an effect similar to ayahuasca. It suggests that the specific mixture may have been chosen for its psychoactive properties, possibly to induce altered states of consciousness in ritual contexts. The text does not provide a definitive answer but raises the hypothesis that the blend was designed to mimic or parallel the visionary experiences associated with ayahuasca.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that the vilca/tobacco snuff combination at Chavín was likely aimed at producing an 'ayahuasca effect' for ritual purposes. |
Abstract
Did the vilca/tobacco snuff combination at Chavín aim for an "ayahuasca effect"?