2025
Richard G. Alexander
AbstractThis chapter provides a critical overview of the ayahuasca phenomenon within the context of global psychedelic tourism. It begins by exploring the terminological and psychopharmacological details of ayahuasca, then surveys key interdisciplinary literature on its use in both indigenous and Western contexts. The chapter critiques the problematic application of the term ‘shamanism’,...
Journal of Restorative Medicine
2025
Matthew Hicks, Richard E. Harris
3 citations
Background: Shamanism is a transcultural, heterogeneous worldview that is primarily concerned with human interaction with the spirit world. Foremost among the many services provided by practitioners of shamanism is the healing of the mind, body, and spirit. Methods: While most literature on shamanism consists of ethnographies of cultures that practice shamanism, the present literature search...
Этнографическое обозрение / Ethno review
2025
N.a. Solomonova
The article discusses theoretical issues in the sociological theory of shamanism and its manifestations in the shamanism of indigenous peoples of the Far East. The work done by the prominent Soviet ethnographer Sergei Tokarev is usually considered classic in the development of sociological theory of shamanism in Russian scholarship. Drawing on comparative historical and functionalist research...
Frontiers in Psychology
2025
Emma R. Huels, Lily Carter, Gang Xu et al.
Previous studies have demonstrated acute changes in brain activity that occur during shamanic journeying-an ancient spiritual practice used for physical, psychological, and spiritual healing. However, the effect of shamanic journeying on other physiological measures, such as heart rate variability, remains unknown. We investigated changes in heart rate variability (HRV) during sessions of...
Journal de la Société des Américanistes
2025
Françoise Barbira Freedman, Stephen Hugh‐jones
If ayahuasca shamanism is now well studied, the medicinal plant gardens that form a standard element of ayahuasca centers have received less attention. Based on detailed mapping, recorded commentaries, and an accompanying website (https://yakumamaylivepharmacy.org), this paper provides concise data about the range of plants found in one such garden. Exploring the medicinal gardens’ relations to...
South African Journal of Psychiatry
2025
Raksha Singh, Pierre M Joubert
Traditional healers play a significant role in healthcare seeking in South Africa. Many South Africans often seek healthcare services from both medical practitioners and traditional healers simultaneously for the same condition. Despite this, many medical practitioners seem ignorant about the practices of traditional healers. This study aimed to explore the similarities and differences between...