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The myth of ayahuasca.


Web link: www.scopus.com/inward/re...

Pages: 127-144

Abstract

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive substance from the Amazon where it is used traditionally for healing, divination and other shamanic purposes. Since 20 years ayahuasca rituals have spread around the globe attracting Western users, concurrent with religious churches (Santo Daime, Uniao do Vegetal, etc.) using ayahuasca as a sacrament in their ceremonies. Nearly all kinds of ayahuasca rituals were considered as 'healing rituals' by participants of ayahuasca ceremonies. 'Healing' is not limited to the cure of physical and mental diseases but expand to a lot of psychological and even spiritual problems. This paper overviews the different kind of ayahuasca rituals in Europe and deals with four myths about this legendary vine.