“It’s like shrooms times a million, plus aliens”: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of experiential accounts from ayahuasca users in Britain

Smith, L.-A., Ryan, J. and Evenden, R. (2017) “It’s like shrooms times a million, plus aliens”: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of experiential accounts from ayahuasca users in Britain. Invited Presentation presented to: 60th Annual Convention of the Parapsychological Association, Athens, Greece, 20-23 July 2017.

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Abstract:

Psychedelic consciousness is linked with deeper awareness into one’s psyche and connection to the transpersonal (Metzner, 1998). Recently, academia has witnessed the growth of psychedelic research (Sessa, 2012). Specifically, qualitative analyses into these states, including ayahuasca. Anecdotal reports of ayahuasca include profound transformations in one’s psycho-spiritual nature (Shanon, 2002). Nevertheless, the data is sparse on the phenomenology and there is a shortage of face-to-face interviews on ayahuasca users from western civilisations (Luke, 2011). The aim of the present study was to examine the phenomenological accounts of ayahuasca users from Britain. Three participants (1 male, 2 females) completed semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis philosophy was used to interpret ayahuasca users’ experiences. Research found evidence for 3 super-themes: psychotherapeutic healing, spiritual re-birth and materialistic society anti-spiritual. Research findings promote the future exploration of the therapeutic applications of ayahuasca. Additionally, there is an opportunity to explore the psycho-social features of ayahuasca discursively.

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Ayahuasca, psychedelics, parapsychology, transformation, identity

Subjects:

B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF207 Psychotropic drugs and other substances
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF204.7 Transpersonal psychology

Creators:

Smith, L.-A., Ryan, J. and Evenden, R.

Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:

University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology

Date:

23 July 2017

Date Type:

Publication

Event Title:

60th Annual Convention of the Parapsychological Association

Event Dates:

20-23 July 2017

Event Location:

Athens, Greece

Event Type:

Conference

Language:

English

Status:

Published / Disseminated

Refereed:

Yes