PsychedelicsSpiritualHealing

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

There is a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of altered or expanded states of consciousness and psychedelics in the Western world. Many of these substances are derived from plants or fungi, which have longstanding historical and ceremonial uses among Indigenous cultures. Recent research has highlighted the potential of psychedelic compounds to effectively address conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and various addictions. Yet, it is important to note that while researchers, spiritual seekers, wellness enthusiasts, and recreational users often source these psychedelics from their natural origins, the significant role of Indigenous practices and knowledge in this domain is not always adequately recognized or addressed. This course examines the features of the contemporary psychedelic renaissance. It traces the indigenous worldviews, practices, and rituals involving sacred plants to connect with the spirit world, heal, and socially empower individuals and communities. Key practices include Ayahuasca (or Yagé), psilocybin mushrooms from Central America and the Amazon, Ibogaine from Africa, and breathwork originating in India. Through an interdisciplinary approach incorporating history, archaeology, anthropology, and religious studies, students will analyze the worldviews and historical and social dynamics shaping these Indigenous spiritual and healing practices. The course will explore their translation into North American contexts, including healing practices, spiritual exploration, and biomedical approaches, highlighting cross-cultural exchanges and tensions. Students will dwell deeply in the instructors’ research and fieldwork, including the integration of psychedelics in ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities and psychedelic tourism in Mexico. The course will examine the ethical and economic dimensions of these practices and their integration into spiritual tourism, investigating their role within underground spiritual networks and the commodification of healing rituals in contemporary society. This curriculum ultimately aims to deepen understanding of the multifaceted relationships between these practices and their broader implications for understanding pain, health, and well-being. The professors expect students to have a basic knowledge of psychedelics to take this class.