Santo Daime in the context of the new religious consciousness

Ayahuasca, used ritually in South American religions such as Santo Daime and União do Vegetal and in Amazonian rehabilitation centers, shows therapeutic potential for treating substance dependence. Anthropological and psychiatric data indicate that ritual ayahuasca use can aid healing from addiction. The chapter reviews evidence from these settings and discusses methodological, ethical, and political considerations for future research. It places current studies in the context of psychedelic and psycholytic therapies developed between the 1950s and 1970s, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches to understand ayahuasca's role in dependence treatment.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This chapter presents a series of reflections on the therapeutic potential of the ritual use of ayahuasca in the treatment and handling of substance dependence problems. It reviews anthropological and psychiatric data on the ritual use of ayahuasca for 'healing' dependence in psychotherapeutic centers as well as in ayahuasca religions. The chapter discusses methodological, ethical and political considerations for current and future research in this area. The chapter discusses Santo Daime and the Unio do Vegetal, the two largest ayahuasca religions. It outlines the interdisciplinary questions that should be considered for an agenda for future research into the use of ayahuasca in the treatment and handling of dependence problems. Current research into the use of ayahuasca in the treatment of substance dependence should be contextualized with respect to the interrupted tradition of psychedelic and psycholytic therapies that were developed from the 1950-1970s. The chapter reviews evidence of how ritual ayahuasca use is employed in South America, psychotherapeutic Amazonian rehabilitation centers.