The role of hallucinogenic drugs and sensory stimuli in Peruvian ritual healing

Abstract

On Peru's north coast, curanderos perform night-long curing ceremonies in which the mescaline-bearing cactus San Pedro is used. The concept of autonomic nervous system tuning is presented as the best explanation for the overall physiological effect of the ritual. An assessment of the possible therapeutic impact of this condition is provided. Organic response and symbolic message are seen to resonate in the purificatory connotations of the ritual.

The signs of the sacred: Identifying shamans using archaeological evidence

“…These object form sacra, which are those objects associated with a specific cult institution (Knight, 1986). There is variation both within and between cultures in shamanic sacra (e.g., Tarahumara shaman-singers whose only role is to sing during community rites), but shamanic sacra by their very nature form consistent assemblages that reflect the shamans' need to induce SSC (Boyd, 1996;Furst, 1972;Joralemon, 1984;Lewis-Williams and Dowson, 1988;Vitebsky, 2001;Whitley, 2000;Wilbert, 1987). Hallucinogens are often administered with objects (e.g., pipes for tobacco or enemas for datura juice) (Schultes and Hofmann, 1979).…”