Altered States: Tradition and Ritual - Ayahuasca and other examples from South America

Overview

The Altered States Series is a collection of seminars, symposia and workshops in Perth that was launched by the Australian Psychedelic Society in August 2020. Altered States aims to provide the Perth community with the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience about how to best utilise altered states of consciousness to manage mental health issues and improve psychological wellness. This will be approached using the same framework that is used to provide psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: preparation, altered state and then integration.

Session 5 – Ritual and Tradition: Ayahuasca and other examples of practices from South America

The return of psychedelics to academic and medical acceptability is the outcome of decades of work, and may signal a coming revolution for psychiatry. But as is often noted, similarly plant-based and consciousness altering substances have most likely been in use for thousands of years in a variety of Indigenous contexts. Uses in such contexts include (but are not limited to) medical applications, although the understandings and treatments of illnesses also connect with broader social frameworks and shamanic modes of relating to the world. These shamanic modalities tend to incorporate not only the classically known entheogens, but a range of other plants along with bodily techniques for altering consciousness. Dr O’Shaughnessy will explore and present some of these based on his research experience with Amazonian medicine—in particular ayahuasca healing practices.

Sharing can occur formally during the interactive session, or informally afterwards when lunch will be provided to allow people the opportunity to connect with members of existing networks and develop new connections

Bio: Dr David O’Shaughnessy is an anthropologist and currently a postdoctoral scholar at UC Berkeley, where he works on a project concerning the effects of culture on the acquisition of number and mathematics (via fieldwork with the Tsimane’ of Bolivia). His doctoral work also took place in South America (Peru), where he examined the addiction treatment program run by the Takiwasi Centre, who employ a novel combination of Western and Amazonian medicine (including ayahuasca), primarily with the goal of treating substance use disorder.

Altered States Terms and Conditions

By purchasing a ticket, you agree to our terms and condition:

1. We are not promoting, condoning or advising drug taking of any kind.
2. We will not tolerate dealing or the promotion of medicine circles of any kind.
3. We will not tolerate offers of coaching or mentoring individuals.

Location

Lecture Room 101, Building 7, Edith Cowan University Joondalup Campus