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Hallucinogens and Shamanism
Anthropologists report their findings on the use and importance of hallucinogenic plants in shamanistic practices.
216 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 1973
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About the author
Michael Harner
47 books125 followersThe founder and president of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, Dr. Michael Harner (Michael J. Harner) pioneered the introduction of shamanism and the shamanic drum journey to contemporary life and is recognized as the world leader in this movement.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 21, 2017
This is a collection of ten anthropological studies that explore the use of hallucinogens in shamanism. Michael Harner serves as the book’s editor, and does a good job of including studies that provide different sets of information to the reader.
I think I first heard about this book from a Terence McKenna speech, and was pleasantly surprised to find it a few weeks ago in my local used bookstore. It is a fairly old book, so I was already familiar with its content. It was definitely enlightening to read each individual study, and think about what the anthropologist experienced during his or her fieldwork.
The book is split into four parts. The first three parts focus on the locations that shamanism occurred: The Upper Amazon, Cultures Undergoing Westernization and In The Traditional Western World. The final part explores the idea of the trans-cultural experience, or the concept that the substances produce similar experiences regardless of one’s cultural background. I really enjoyed the section that dived into the practice of shamanism in traditional Western societies. What piqued my interest was the use of henbane, datura, mandrake, etc. by witches during the Inquisition. I haven’t read very much that tackles this subject before reading this book.
The substances that are spotlighted are ayahuasca, peyote, psylocibe mushrooms, and plants that make up witches’ ointments. There is so much information about these substances that I have already consumed and memorized, so the main benefit of the book for me was the explanation of anthropological fieldwork. It is interesting to read about shamans and medicine men and their beliefs. As a huge fan of Carlos Castaneda’s work, I found Hallucinogens and Shamanism to be fairly similar in its writing style and level of detail.
4/5 Stars. 200 pages. Published 1973.
I think I first heard about this book from a Terence McKenna speech, and was pleasantly surprised to find it a few weeks ago in my local used bookstore. It is a fairly old book, so I was already familiar with its content. It was definitely enlightening to read each individual study, and think about what the anthropologist experienced during his or her fieldwork.
The book is split into four parts. The first three parts focus on the locations that shamanism occurred: The Upper Amazon, Cultures Undergoing Westernization and In The Traditional Western World. The final part explores the idea of the trans-cultural experience, or the concept that the substances produce similar experiences regardless of one’s cultural background. I really enjoyed the section that dived into the practice of shamanism in traditional Western societies. What piqued my interest was the use of henbane, datura, mandrake, etc. by witches during the Inquisition. I haven’t read very much that tackles this subject before reading this book.
The substances that are spotlighted are ayahuasca, peyote, psylocibe mushrooms, and plants that make up witches’ ointments. There is so much information about these substances that I have already consumed and memorized, so the main benefit of the book for me was the explanation of anthropological fieldwork. It is interesting to read about shamans and medicine men and their beliefs. As a huge fan of Carlos Castaneda’s work, I found Hallucinogens and Shamanism to be fairly similar in its writing style and level of detail.
4/5 Stars. 200 pages. Published 1973.
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August 5, 2011This is an excellent little book. I picked it up for the essay "The Mushrooms of Language" which was recommended by Terrence McKenna in one of his talks. It is a beautiful essay on the effects of psilocybin on language in the shamanic tradition. Some other notable articles in the book include one on the role of hallucinogenic plants in the European witchcraft, and the rest focus on ayahuasca and peyote.
July 23, 2020
“Some ayahuasqueros refuse this trade, but others are willing and specialize in the use of psychedelic drugs for socially defined evil purposes.”
“Often patients suffering from certain types of illness take ayahuasca—usually those suffering from sickness often classified as psychosomatic.”
“The Inquisition, at the cost of the torture and execution of perhaps hundreds of thousands of believed and real witches, has supplied the bulk of our data on the role of hallucinogenic plants in late medieval Europe. From the variety of sources, only some of which are cited here, it is clear that we are dealing with practices that were widespread throughout Europe and apparently known at least as early as Roman times.”
“Both Jivaro and Conibo-Shipibo Indians who had seen motion pictures told me that the ayahuasca experiences were comparable to the viewing of films, and my own experience was corroboratory.”
“Often patients suffering from certain types of illness take ayahuasca—usually those suffering from sickness often classified as psychosomatic.”
“The Inquisition, at the cost of the torture and execution of perhaps hundreds of thousands of believed and real witches, has supplied the bulk of our data on the role of hallucinogenic plants in late medieval Europe. From the variety of sources, only some of which are cited here, it is clear that we are dealing with practices that were widespread throughout Europe and apparently known at least as early as Roman times.”
“Both Jivaro and Conibo-Shipibo Indians who had seen motion pictures told me that the ayahuasca experiences were comparable to the viewing of films, and my own experience was corroboratory.”
August 26, 2018
A very important book showing the use of hallucinogenic plants in mystical practices of various peoples of the world. People need to know where these plants stood in our history before modern vilification occurred.
August 24, 2019
This is a great book. Highly recommended for everyone interested in learning more about shamanic cultures in South America.
Great contribution to the field
Great contribution to the field
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July 31, 2011Early collection of essays on hallucinogens and shamanism, mostly Ayahuasca use among South American Indians; some psylocybin mushrooms too. Mostly academic anthropologists, with one writerly contribution by a close observer who was married to the daughter of a mushroom shaman.
Several authors admit to using the substances themselves; in one essay by Harner he says that, after participating in an Ayahuasca ceremony, he felt that anthropologists had not paid enough attention to the power of these substances or the narratives told by native participants; he encouraged academic reframing so that these tales are taken more seriously.
Also interesting in that several of the essayists uncritically cite Castaneda's findings about hallucinogenic effects.
Several authors admit to using the substances themselves; in one essay by Harner he says that, after participating in an Ayahuasca ceremony, he felt that anthropologists had not paid enough attention to the power of these substances or the narratives told by native participants; he encouraged academic reframing so that these tales are taken more seriously.
Also interesting in that several of the essayists uncritically cite Castaneda's findings about hallucinogenic effects.
August 22, 2012
Munn's essay Language and Mushrooms ALONE makes this book.
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June 21, 2015Great collection, Munn's "The Mushrooms of Language" is especially good (and the reason I bought the book).
May 27, 2013
read in high school. opened my mind
Want to read
July 31, 2017l
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews