Effects of Ayahuasca- Study

I found another good article on the effects of Ayahuasca on the brain. It has some good data and really shows the regions of the brain in pretty good detail through low resolution electromagnetic tomography.

Here is the Abstract:

Ayahuasca, a South American psychotropic plant tea obtained from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria virids, combines monoamine-oxidas-inhibiting B-carbpline alkaloids with N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a psychedelic agent showing 5-HT agonist activity. The spatial distribution of ayahuasca-induced changes in brain electrical activity was investigated by means of low resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were obtained from eighteen volunteers with prior experience in the use of psychedelics after the administration of the 0.85 mg DMT/kg body weight dose of encapsulated freeze-dried ayahuasca and placebo. The intracerebral power density distribution was computed with LORETA from spectrally analyzed data. Statistically significant differences with placebo were observed at 60 and 90 minutes after dosing. Ayahuasca decreased power density in the alpha-2, delta, theta and beta1 frequency bands. This pattern of effects in analogous to that of the classical psychedelics and point out the involvement of 5-HT receptor agonism in the neurochemical effects of ayahuasca. Power decreases in the delta, alpha-2 and beta-1 bands were found predominantly over the temporo-parieto-occipital junction, whereas theta power were reduced in the temporomedial cortex and in frontomedial regions. The present results suggest the involvement of unimodal and heteromodal association cortex and limbic structures in the psychological effects elicited by ayahuasca.

Read the whole article here[gallery]

Effects of Ayahuasca- Study

I found another good article on the effects of Ayahuasca on the brain. It has some good data and really shows the regions of the brain in pretty good detail through low resolution electromagnetic tomography.

Here is the Abstract:

Ayahuasca, a South American psychotropic plant tea obtained from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria virids, combines monoamine-oxidas-inhibiting B-carbpline alkaloids with N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a psychedelic agent showing 5-HT agonist activity. The spatial distribution of ayahuasca-induced changes in brain electrical activity was investigated by means of low resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were obtained from eighteen volunteers with prior experience in the use of psychedelics after the administration of the 0.85 mg DMT/kg body weight dose of encapsulated freeze-dried ayahuasca and placebo. The intracerebral power density distribution was computed with LORETA from spectrally analyzed data. Statistically significant differences with placebo were observed at 60 and 90 minutes after dosing. Ayahuasca decreased power density in the alpha-2, delta, theta and beta1 frequency bands. This pattern of effects in analogous to that of the classical psychedelics and point out the involvement of 5-HT receptor agonism in the neurochemical effects of ayahuasca. Power decreases in the delta, alpha-2 and beta-1 bands were found predominantly over the temporo-parieto-occipital junction, whereas theta power were reduced in the temporomedial cortex and in frontomedial regions. The present results suggest the involvement of unimodal and heteromodal association cortex and limbic structures in the psychological effects elicited by ayahuasca.

Read the whole article here[gallery]

Documentary Website

I stumbled onto this website that contains a large listing of free documentary's that anyone can watch for free. Its legal and has a large listing of documentary's on drugs, some which I can vouch are very good documentary's. I suggest you check if out if you want to get some good information on the current views of drugs and their uses. There are also many other documentary's on other subjects as well.

Check it out: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/watch-online/

Documentary Website

I stumbled onto this website that contains a large listing of free documentary's that anyone can watch for free. Its legal and has a large listing of documentary's on drugs, some which I can vouch are very good documentary's. I suggest you check if out if you want to get some good information on the current views of drugs and their uses. There are also many other documentary's on other subjects as well.

Check it out: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/watch-online/

Christian Räetsch - Youtube

I was referenced some great videos of Christian Räetsch who is the writer of many great books including "The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants" which is considered one of the greatest books on the subject. Over all they are great videos that deal with his research into the shaman world.


Psychoactivity The Fountain of Culture

Christian Rätsch at the World Psychedelic Forum 2008

Christian Räetsch - Youtube

I was referenced some great videos of Christian Räetsch who is the writer of many great books including "The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants" which is considered one of the greatest books on the subject. Over all they are great videos that deal with his research into the shaman world.


Psychoactivity The Fountain of Culture

Christian Rätsch at the World Psychedelic Forum 2008

The Succubus Reconsidered: Sexuality in Sleep Paralysis

Ryan Hurd over at dreamstudies.org gives us another great article about sleep paralysis. In the artical he talks about the realtionship of the succubus and dreaming, other terms that the succubus is called, and the reasons why we may have these types of expereince while in sleep paralysis. Here is some of what he has to say:

The historic fears of succubi and incubi must be reconsidered in light of contemporary psychology.  As the medical community disregarded the narratives of sleep paralysis until David Hufford’s ground-breaking work in the 1970s, we would be making the same mistake if we chalk up the old tales of sexual demons to “merely legend.”

Read more here

The Succubus Reconsidered: Sexuality in Sleep Paralysis

Ryan Hurd over at dreamstudies.org gives us another great article about sleep paralysis. In the artical he talks about the realtionship of the succubus and dreaming, other terms that the succubus is called, and the reasons why we may have these types of expereince while in sleep paralysis. Here is some of what he has to say:

The historic fears of succubi and incubi must be reconsidered in light of contemporary psychology.  As the medical community disregarded the narratives of sleep paralysis until David Hufford’s ground-breaking work in the 1970s, we would be making the same mistake if we chalk up the old tales of sexual demons to “merely legend.”

Read more here

New Link Added: Fluent Dreaming

I found a very useful website today to help people better lucid dream. Fluent Dreaming is a website where if you set it to your homepage it will remind if you to ask yourself if your dreaming, a good technique to get anyone on their way to asking the same question when they are asleep and in the dream realm.

Check this site out here

New Link Added: Fluent Dreaming

I found a very useful website today to help people better lucid dream. Fluent Dreaming is a website where if you set it to your homepage it will remind if you to ask yourself if your dreaming, a good technique to get anyone on their way to asking the same question when they are asleep and in the dream realm.

Check this site out here

Lucid Water

Last night was the first night in about two months that I had a lucid dream. I haven't really been trying to lucid dream or practicing any of my meditative techniques that seem to induce WILDs, so my lucid dreaming has been a little low. Before I went to bed I thought about how long it has been since I have had a lucid dream and well I also couldnt sleep until about 3 am... Yeah not so good for someone who seems to be running a website based on how to get a good nights rest, but it has been hot here and I don't do well in the heat at night. Anyways I woke up about 8 Am for a phone call which ended soon after and I could go back to sleep. This calls for a perfect reason to force my brain into REM since I was most likely right at the end of my sleep cycle.

I was in a room taking a shower and soon enough I said, I must be dreaming. I looked at the water and noticed how real it looked, and how it felt to the touch. I though, well if I am dreaming this is pretty dang real. I verbally said,"STOP" and the water stopped moving. The water was frozen in space and time, as though it was in like the matrix. I could walk over it and move it but it was still frozen from where ever I moved it. I put the water in my hand and played with the droplet. I put my fingers on the side of it and pulled it out, as though I was using a iphone and the water droplet expanded into a larger body of water. I noticed that it has hardened and I tossed it on the floor. The water then bounced down the hall.

At this time I was pretty involved with the water and as I looked up there was some creepy looking creature that looked like a mix of a jack-in-the-box figure clown looking thing, and Bigfoot with a mustache. Knowing that I may experience a dweller during my lucid dream I started to get scared that he may try to scare me more, well with more besides his dashing good looks. This thing looked at me and and rather than try to scare me, gave me a cupcake which tasted wonderful. :)

The real neat thing about this dream that I found very surprising is how real the water looked, how I could taste it, fill it, smell it and it was water. It made me think inside my dream that if this water looked like it does in real life, then how real is real life? How much is our brains just making up, or is this world mostly just in our heads? Are we just dreaming while we are awake, mixing in reality with fantasy and what we have been taught in order to make up what we all agree is real? I have see how easy the mind is tricked while lucid dreaming, how real things look and are, and I say that I don't agree that what we experience in life is as real as we think it is.

Now to more dreaming!

Lucid Water

Last night was the first night in about two months that I had a lucid dream. I haven't really been trying to lucid dream or practicing any of my meditative techniques that seem to induce WILDs, so my lucid dreaming has been a little low. Before I went to bed I thought about how long it has been since I have had a lucid dream and well I also couldnt sleep until about 3 am... Yeah not so good for someone who seems to be running a website based on how to get a good nights rest, but it has been hot here and I don't do well in the heat at night. Anyways I woke up about 8 Am for a phone call which ended soon after and I could go back to sleep. This calls for a perfect reason to force my brain into REM since I was most likely right at the end of my sleep cycle.

I was in a room taking a shower and soon enough I said, I must be dreaming. I looked at the water and noticed how real it looked, and how it felt to the touch. I though, well if I am dreaming this is pretty dang real. I verbally said,"STOP" and the water stopped moving. The water was frozen in space and time, as though it was in like the matrix. I could walk over it and move it but it was still frozen from where ever I moved it. I put the water in my hand and played with the droplet. I put my fingers on the side of it and pulled it out, as though I was using a iphone and the water droplet expanded into a larger body of water. I noticed that it has hardened and I tossed it on the floor. The water then bounced down the hall.

At this time I was pretty involved with the water and as I looked up there was some creepy looking creature that looked like a mix of a jack-in-the-box figure clown looking thing, and Bigfoot with a mustache. Knowing that I may experience a dweller during my lucid dream I started to get scared that he may try to scare me more, well with more besides his dashing good looks. This thing looked at me and and rather than try to scare me, gave me a cupcake which tasted wonderful. :)

The real neat thing about this dream that I found very surprising is how real the water looked, how I could taste it, fill it, smell it and it was water. It made me think inside my dream that if this water looked like it does in real life, then how real is real life? How much is our brains just making up, or is this world mostly just in our heads? Are we just dreaming while we are awake, mixing in reality with fantasy and what we have been taught in order to make up what we all agree is real? I have see how easy the mind is tricked while lucid dreaming, how real things look and are, and I say that I don't agree that what we experience in life is as real as we think it is.

Now to more dreaming!

A Book Review of Food of the Gods by Terence McKenna

Ben over at Dreaming Life. org wrote a great book review on Terence McKenna's book "Food of the Gods". Since he did a great job I did see the need to write another whole review about the book, but instead send a link over his way. Here is a little bit about what he has to say:

The Food of the Gods, by Terence McKenna, is the story of humanities relationship with different plants and how these relationships effect and reflect our cultural values.

By the last page, the book has taken a somewhat discontinuous step into a different territory, with McKenna penning a manifesto of sorts on the integration of psychoactives into our current culture. He calls our culture the Dominator culture, and sees the use of consciousness-expanding plants as part of the Archaic Revival, a reference to the return of a  pre-monotheistic, integrated, “whole” way of living that we as a species once had with our environment and each other.

Read more at Bens blog dreaminglife.org

A Book Review of Food of the Gods by Terence McKenna

Ben over at Dreaming Life. org wrote a great book review on Terence McKenna's book "Food of the Gods". Since he did a great job I did see the need to write another whole review about the book, but instead send a link over his way. Here is a little bit about what he has to say:

The Food of the Gods, by Terence McKenna, is the story of humanities relationship with different plants and how these relationships effect and reflect our cultural values.

By the last page, the book has taken a somewhat discontinuous step into a different territory, with McKenna penning a manifesto of sorts on the integration of psychoactives into our current culture. He calls our culture the Dominator culture, and sees the use of consciousness-expanding plants as part of the Archaic Revival, a reference to the return of a  pre-monotheistic, integrated, “whole” way of living that we as a species once had with our environment and each other.

Read more at Bens blog dreaminglife.org

A Book Review of Food of the Gods by Terence McKenna

Ben over at Dreaming Life. org wrote a great book review on Terence McKenna's book "Food of the Gods". Since he did a great job I did see the need to write another whole review about the book, but instead send a link over his way. Here is a little bit about what he has to say:

The Food of the Gods, by Terence McKenna, is the story of humanities relationship with different plants and how these relationships effect and reflect our cultural values.

By the last page, the book has taken a somewhat discontinuous step into a different territory, with McKenna penning a manifesto of sorts on the integration of psychoactives into our current culture. He calls our culture the Dominator culture, and sees the use of consciousness-expanding plants as part of the Archaic Revival, a reference to the return of a  pre-monotheistic, integrated, “whole” way of living that we as a species once had with our environment and each other.

Read more at Bens blog dreaminglife.org

Taming the Night Mare

Ryan Hurd writes a new article called "Taming the Night mare" where he talks about some experiences of dreams where they are terribly fighting but can end out positive. He gives us the example of the visitation of a relative that may have passed away, and other instances much like that. Here is some of what he says:

Most people experience isolated sleep paralysis [ISP] at least once in their lives. This peculiar conscious vision state occurs at the boundaries of sleep, when we feel aware and awake. Sudden feelings of paralysis in bed -- can't move, can't scream -- give way to a terrifying encounter with a shadowy figure in the bedroom. Sometimes the figure materializes -- the Stranger -- who may sit on the side of the bed or on your chest, and breath its putrid breath into your face as it glares with glowing red eyes. This phenomenon is known around the world by different names. The Hag Effect. Ghost oppression. Supernatural assault. The Succubus.

Read more over here

Taming the Night Mare

Ryan Hurd writes a new article called "Taming the Night mare" where he talks about some experiences of dreams where they are terribly fighting but can end out positive. He gives us the example of the visitation of a relative that may have passed away, and other instances much like that. Here is some of what he says:

Most people experience isolated sleep paralysis [ISP] at least once in their lives. This peculiar conscious vision state occurs at the boundaries of sleep, when we feel aware and awake. Sudden feelings of paralysis in bed -- can't move, can't scream -- give way to a terrifying encounter with a shadowy figure in the bedroom. Sometimes the figure materializes -- the Stranger -- who may sit on the side of the bed or on your chest, and breath its putrid breath into your face as it glares with glowing red eyes. This phenomenon is known around the world by different names. The Hag Effect. Ghost oppression. Supernatural assault. The Succubus.

Read more over here

Taming the Night Mare

Ryan Hurd writes a new article called "Taming the Night mare" where he talks about some experiences of dreams where they are terribly fighting but can end out positive. He gives us the example of the visitation of a relative that may have passed away, and other instances much like that. Here is some of what he says:

Most people experience isolated sleep paralysis [ISP] at least once in their lives. This peculiar conscious vision state occurs at the boundaries of sleep, when we feel aware and awake. Sudden feelings of paralysis in bed -- can't move, can't scream -- give way to a terrifying encounter with a shadowy figure in the bedroom. Sometimes the figure materializes -- the Stranger -- who may sit on the side of the bed or on your chest, and breath its putrid breath into your face as it glares with glowing red eyes. This phenomenon is known around the world by different names. The Hag Effect. Ghost oppression. Supernatural assault. The Succubus.

Read more over here

Soma siddhas and alchemical enlightenment: psychedelic mushrooms in Buddhist tradition

I recently found this journal article that was very interesting. It talks about how the Buddhist traditions have ties to the uses of the hallucinogenic mushroom Amanita muscaria to help them reach enlightenment. In relation to the other book I have been reading by McKenna "Food of the Gods" it would make sense and I am sure McKenna would support this theory. Here is some of the paper:

Conclusions

In suggesting the connections between the symbols in these legends and the Amanita muscaria, it is certainly not my intention to pound a square peg into a round hole. If any of my suggested interpretations can be shown to be incorrect, this will trim the deadwood, and my case will stand on the points that remain. I hope the few loose ends left above will not detract from the fabric of my argument regarding Abhayadatta's legend of Karnaripa. I hope my efforts to examine every possible clue will not be mistaken for Wassonian 'monomaniacal... paranoid.., mycocentricity' (Weil, 1988, pp. 489-490). The suggestion that some Buddhist siddhas used a psychedelic drug will be dismissed out of hand by many. The use of 'intoxicants' is against the contemporary orthodox Buddhist ethic. In a footnote to his interpretation of a beer-brewing recipe as a metaphor for the process of enlightenment, Ardussi (1977, n. 37, pp. 123-124) denies 'that Vasubandhu's reference to magical powers deriving from the use of herbs (Abhidharmakosa VII. 53) suggests a type of mystical experience comparable to, or contributing to the better understanding of experiences obtained otherwise through meditation'. I believe I have demonstrated that some contemporary nonorthodox Buddhist 'alchemists' find precedents in the Mahasiddhas Nagarjuna and Aryadeva, who agreed, 'We need to eat the alchemical medicine'. Perhaps my analysis of these legends and sym-bols can provide a basis for new research by scholars of Buddhism, Tantra, alchemy, Soma studies, Eddic studies, ethnopharmacology, comparative mythology, transpersonal psychology, shamanism and history of religion. The relationship of a drug-induced psychedelic experience to 'genuine' mystical experience or to Buddhist enlightenment is debated today (Ratsch, 1989; Tart, 1991) as earnestly and as inconclusively as it was in the early years of wide-spread use of psychedelic drugs. I believe my identification of Amanita muscaria as the alchemical agent which brought 'realization' to these Buddhist adepts can help determine the value of the psychedelic experience in Buddhist tradition. Orthodox scholars may object but they can no longer 'Just say No'.

You can read the full paper here

Soma siddhas and alchemical enlightenment: psychedelic mushrooms in Buddhist tradition

I recently found this journal article that was very interesting. It talks about how the Buddhist traditions have ties to the uses of the hallucinogenic mushroom Amanita muscaria to help them reach enlightenment. In relation to the other book I have been reading by McKenna "Food of the Gods" it would make sense and I am sure McKenna would support this theory. Here is some of the paper:

Conclusions

In suggesting the connections between the symbols in these legends and the Amanita muscaria, it is certainly not my intention to pound a square peg into a round hole. If any of my suggested interpretations can be shown to be incorrect, this will trim the deadwood, and my case will stand on the points that remain. I hope the few loose ends left above will not detract from the fabric of my argument regarding Abhayadatta's legend of Karnaripa. I hope my efforts to examine every possible clue will not be mistaken for Wassonian 'monomaniacal... paranoid.., mycocentricity' (Weil, 1988, pp. 489-490). The suggestion that some Buddhist siddhas used a psychedelic drug will be dismissed out of hand by many. The use of 'intoxicants' is against the contemporary orthodox Buddhist ethic. In a footnote to his interpretation of a beer-brewing recipe as a metaphor for the process of enlightenment, Ardussi (1977, n. 37, pp. 123-124) denies 'that Vasubandhu's reference to magical powers deriving from the use of herbs (Abhidharmakosa VII. 53) suggests a type of mystical experience comparable to, or contributing to the better understanding of experiences obtained otherwise through meditation'. I believe I have demonstrated that some contemporary nonorthodox Buddhist 'alchemists' find precedents in the Mahasiddhas Nagarjuna and Aryadeva, who agreed, 'We need to eat the alchemical medicine'. Perhaps my analysis of these legends and sym-bols can provide a basis for new research by scholars of Buddhism, Tantra, alchemy, Soma studies, Eddic studies, ethnopharmacology, comparative mythology, transpersonal psychology, shamanism and history of religion. The relationship of a drug-induced psychedelic experience to 'genuine' mystical experience or to Buddhist enlightenment is debated today (Ratsch, 1989; Tart, 1991) as earnestly and as inconclusively as it was in the early years of wide-spread use of psychedelic drugs. I believe my identification of Amanita muscaria as the alchemical agent which brought 'realization' to these Buddhist adepts can help determine the value of the psychedelic experience in Buddhist tradition. Orthodox scholars may object but they can no longer 'Just say No'.

You can read the full paper here

Soma siddhas and alchemical enlightenment: psychedelic mushrooms in Buddhist tradition

I recently found this journal article that was very interesting. It talks about how the Buddhist traditions have ties to the uses of the hallucinogenic mushroom Amanita muscaria to help them reach enlightenment. In relation to the other book I have been reading by McKenna "Food of the Gods" it would make sense and I am sure McKenna would support this theory. Here is some of the paper:

Conclusions

In suggesting the connections between the symbols in these legends and the Amanita muscaria, it is certainly not my intention to pound a square peg into a round hole. If any of my suggested interpretations can be shown to be incorrect, this will trim the deadwood, and my case will stand on the points that remain. I hope the few loose ends left above will not detract from the fabric of my argument regarding Abhayadatta's legend of Karnaripa. I hope my efforts to examine every possible clue will not be mistaken for Wassonian 'monomaniacal... paranoid.., mycocentricity' (Weil, 1988, pp. 489-490). The suggestion that some Buddhist siddhas used a psychedelic drug will be dismissed out of hand by many. The use of 'intoxicants' is against the contemporary orthodox Buddhist ethic. In a footnote to his interpretation of a beer-brewing recipe as a metaphor for the process of enlightenment, Ardussi (1977, n. 37, pp. 123-124) denies 'that Vasubandhu's reference to magical powers deriving from the use of herbs (Abhidharmakosa VII. 53) suggests a type of mystical experience comparable to, or contributing to the better understanding of experiences obtained otherwise through meditation'. I believe I have demonstrated that some contemporary nonorthodox Buddhist 'alchemists' find precedents in the Mahasiddhas Nagarjuna and Aryadeva, who agreed, 'We need to eat the alchemical medicine'. Perhaps my analysis of these legends and sym-bols can provide a basis for new research by scholars of Buddhism, Tantra, alchemy, Soma studies, Eddic studies, ethnopharmacology, comparative mythology, transpersonal psychology, shamanism and history of religion. The relationship of a drug-induced psychedelic experience to 'genuine' mystical experience or to Buddhist enlightenment is debated today (Ratsch, 1989; Tart, 1991) as earnestly and as inconclusively as it was in the early years of wide-spread use of psychedelic drugs. I believe my identification of Amanita muscaria as the alchemical agent which brought 'realization' to these Buddhist adepts can help determine the value of the psychedelic experience in Buddhist tradition. Orthodox scholars may object but they can no longer 'Just say No'.

You can read the full paper here

Effects of a Psychedelic Ayahuasca, on the EEG

I found this really intresting abstract for a study done with Ayahuasca:

Abstract Eight channels of EEG from 12 volunteers participating in a workshop in Brazil were recordedunder field conditions before and after a shamanistic ritual in which the psychoactive tea, ayahuasca, was consumed. Following three doses of the tea, the subjects showed strong and statistically significant increases of both EEG alpha (8-13Hz) and theta (4-8Hz) mean amplitudes compared to baseline while beta (13-20Hz) amplitudes were unchanged. The strongest increases of alpha activity were observed in the occipital lobes while alpha was unchanged in the frontal lobes. Theta amplitudes, on the other hand, were significantly increased in both occipital and frontal areas. Our data do not support previous findings of cortical activation with decreased alpha and increased beta activity caused by psychedelics (e.g. LSD, mescaline, psilocybin). They rather point to a similarity between the altered states produced by ayahuasca and marihuana which also stimulates the brain to produce more alpha waves. We suggest that these findings of increased EEG alpha and theta activity after drinking ayahuasca reflect an altered state of consciousness. In this state thesubjects reported increased awareness of their subconscious processes. This is an altered state comparable to, however more profound than, the meditative state. Our results suggest that ingesting Ayahuasca may provide individuals with increased access to subconscious processes and feelings while in a wakeful, relaxed state. Thus, Ayahuasca has the potential to become a potent tool in the process of psychotherapy.

Very interesting stuff as the article is saying that the effects of Ayahuasca seem to increase alpha and theta waves in the brain which represent meditative states or relation to stages of drowsiness and stage 2 of sleep.

If you want to read the full article here is the information you need:

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, USA
Spring 2001, pp 25-30
Effects of a Psychedelic, Tropical Tea, Ayahuasca, on the
Electroencephalographic (EEG) Activity of the Human Brain
during a Shamanistic Ritual
Erik Hoffmann, Jan M. Keppel Hesselink, Yatra-W.M. da Silveira Barbosa

Effects of a Psychedelic Ayahuasca, on the EEG

I found this really intresting abstract for a study done with Ayahuasca:

Abstract Eight channels of EEG from 12 volunteers participating in a workshop in Brazil were recordedunder field conditions before and after a shamanistic ritual in which the psychoactive tea, ayahuasca, was consumed. Following three doses of the tea, the subjects showed strong and statistically significant increases of both EEG alpha (8-13Hz) and theta (4-8Hz) mean amplitudes compared to baseline while beta (13-20Hz) amplitudes were unchanged. The strongest increases of alpha activity were observed in the occipital lobes while alpha was unchanged in the frontal lobes. Theta amplitudes, on the other hand, were significantly increased in both occipital and frontal areas. Our data do not support previous findings of cortical activation with decreased alpha and increased beta activity caused by psychedelics (e.g. LSD, mescaline, psilocybin). They rather point to a similarity between the altered states produced by ayahuasca and marihuana which also stimulates the brain to produce more alpha waves. We suggest that these findings of increased EEG alpha and theta activity after drinking ayahuasca reflect an altered state of consciousness. In this state thesubjects reported increased awareness of their subconscious processes. This is an altered state comparable to, however more profound than, the meditative state. Our results suggest that ingesting Ayahuasca may provide individuals with increased access to subconscious processes and feelings while in a wakeful, relaxed state. Thus, Ayahuasca has the potential to become a potent tool in the process of psychotherapy.

Very interesting stuff as the article is saying that the effects of Ayahuasca seem to increase alpha and theta waves in the brain which represent meditative states or relation to stages of drowsiness and stage 2 of sleep.

If you want to read the full article here is the information you need:

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, USA
Spring 2001, pp 25-30
Effects of a Psychedelic, Tropical Tea, Ayahuasca, on the
Electroencephalographic (EEG) Activity of the Human Brain
during a Shamanistic Ritual
Erik Hoffmann, Jan M. Keppel Hesselink, Yatra-W.M. da Silveira Barbosa

Effects of a Psychedelic Ayahuasca, on the EEG

I found this really intresting abstract for a study done with Ayahuasca:

Abstract Eight channels of EEG from 12 volunteers participating in a workshop in Brazil were recordedunder field conditions before and after a shamanistic ritual in which the psychoactive tea, ayahuasca, was consumed. Following three doses of the tea, the subjects showed strong and statistically significant increases of both EEG alpha (8-13Hz) and theta (4-8Hz) mean amplitudes compared to baseline while beta (13-20Hz) amplitudes were unchanged. The strongest increases of alpha activity were observed in the occipital lobes while alpha was unchanged in the frontal lobes. Theta amplitudes, on the other hand, were significantly increased in both occipital and frontal areas. Our data do not support previous findings of cortical activation with decreased alpha and increased beta activity caused by psychedelics (e.g. LSD, mescaline, psilocybin). They rather point to a similarity between the altered states produced by ayahuasca and marihuana which also stimulates the brain to produce more alpha waves. We suggest that these findings of increased EEG alpha and theta activity after drinking ayahuasca reflect an altered state of consciousness. In this state thesubjects reported increased awareness of their subconscious processes. This is an altered state comparable to, however more profound than, the meditative state. Our results suggest that ingesting Ayahuasca may provide individuals with increased access to subconscious processes and feelings while in a wakeful, relaxed state. Thus, Ayahuasca has the potential to become a potent tool in the process of psychotherapy.

Very interesting stuff as the article is saying that the effects of Ayahuasca seem to increase alpha and theta waves in the brain which represent meditative states or relation to stages of drowsiness and stage 2 of sleep.

If you want to read the full article here is the information you need:

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, USA
Spring 2001, pp 25-30
Effects of a Psychedelic, Tropical Tea, Ayahuasca, on the
Electroencephalographic (EEG) Activity of the Human Brain
during a Shamanistic Ritual
Erik Hoffmann, Jan M. Keppel Hesselink, Yatra-W.M. da Silveira Barbosa

Honey McKenna

Over the last few days I have been reading the book "Food of the Gods" and it really is a great read. I am not one to be really interested in Terence McKenna in the past as he seems to be more of a Timothy Leary of his time, with individuals flocking to his teaches and seeming to be more of a religious teacher than anything, but after reading his book (or the most of it) I have become to really see why people would want to come hear him teach.  In his book Food of the Gods, McKenna provides us a very detailed history of how drugs were used and why they are used like they are today.

One of the many things that I found interesting is how McKenna theorizes alcohol use came about. He talks about how psychoactive mushrooms were put into honey in order to be preserved for long periods of transportation as honey was used a preservative, even for bodies.  It was most likely found that honey was fermented over time and increased the affects of the mushrooms and produced its own mind altering experience. Mead was made and produced at this point and after clutres came into power that didnt allow for mind altering mushrooms to be used (at least for the average person) then mead started to become more popular.

I found it interesting as well that McKenna points out that throughout history humans have always used substances that alter consciousness, and most importantly when they are told that they cant use those substances, they revolt.

Anyways a great read and highly recommended. I can not even come close to providing a justly informative summery of his book as it is full of important information in understanding why the drug situation is what it is today.

Honey McKenna

Over the last few days I have been reading the book "Food of the Gods" and it really is a great read. I am not one to be really interested in Terence McKenna in the past as he seems to be more of a Timothy Leary of his time, with individuals flocking to his teaches and seeming to be more of a religious teacher than anything, but after reading his book (or the most of it) I have become to really see why people would want to come hear him teach.  In his book Food of the Gods, McKenna provides us a very detailed history of how drugs were used and why they are used like they are today.

One of the many things that I found interesting is how McKenna theorizes alcohol use came about. He talks about how psychoactive mushrooms were put into honey in order to be preserved for long periods of transportation as honey was used a preservative, even for bodies.  It was most likely found that honey was fermented over time and increased the affects of the mushrooms and produced its own mind altering experience. Mead was made and produced at this point and after clutres came into power that didnt allow for mind altering mushrooms to be used (at least for the average person) then mead started to become more popular.

I found it interesting as well that McKenna points out that throughout history humans have always used substances that alter consciousness, and most importantly when they are told that they cant use those substances, they revolt.

Anyways a great read and highly recommended. I can not even come close to providing a justly informative summery of his book as it is full of important information in understanding why the drug situation is what it is today.

Honey McKenna

Over the last few days I have been reading the book "Food of the Gods" and it really is a great read. I am not one to be really interested in Terence McKenna in the past as he seems to be more of a Timothy Leary of his time, with individuals flocking to his teaches and seeming to be more of a religious teacher than anything, but after reading his book (or the most of it) I have become to really see why people would want to come hear him teach.  In his book Food of the Gods, McKenna provides us a very detailed history of how drugs were used and why they are used like they are today.

One of the many things that I found interesting is how McKenna theorizes alcohol use came about. He talks about how psychoactive mushrooms were put into honey in order to be preserved for long periods of transportation as honey was used a preservative, even for bodies.  It was most likely found that honey was fermented over time and increased the affects of the mushrooms and produced its own mind altering experience. Mead was made and produced at this point and after clutres came into power that didnt allow for mind altering mushrooms to be used (at least for the average person) then mead started to become more popular.

I found it interesting as well that McKenna points out that throughout history humans have always used substances that alter consciousness, and most importantly when they are told that they cant use those substances, they revolt.

Anyways a great read and highly recommended. I can not even come close to providing a justly informative summery of his book as it is full of important information in understanding why the drug situation is what it is today.

Acacia Confusa: Bad info

So I was doing some research in a handy dandy book I have " The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants and found another plant with a higher concentration of DMT. Though Acacia confusa does rate a high percentage of DMT, Diplopterys cabrerana contains 1.75% DMT in its fresh dried leaves. I dont know where that article received is information but clearly it is not the highest contain source known to mankind. It is though true that Acacia confusa recently was studied to find out what kind of active compounds were located in the plant, and DMT was one of those.

Acacia Confusa: Bad info

So I was doing some research in a handy dandy book I have " The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants and found another plant with a higher concentration of DMT. Though Acacia confusa does rate a high percentage of DMT, Diplopterys cabrerana contains 1.75% DMT in its fresh dried leaves. I dont know where that article received is information but clearly it is not the highest contain source known to mankind. It is though true that Acacia confusa recently was studied to find out what kind of active compounds were located in the plant, and DMT was one of those.

Acacia Confusa: Bad info

So I was doing some research in a handy dandy book I have " The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants and found another plant with a higher concentration of DMT. Though Acacia confusa does rate a high percentage of DMT, Diplopterys cabrerana contains 1.75% DMT in its fresh dried leaves. I dont know where that article received is information but clearly it is not the highest contain source known to mankind. It is though true that Acacia confusa recently was studied to find out what kind of active compounds were located in the plant, and DMT was one of those.

Notes From a Dreamer

I was reading around at some twitters and found a great blog on dreaming: Notes From a Dreamer. Its one of the few informative blogs that I have been able to find that are up-to-date. I recommend everyone checks it out.  here

Notes From a Dreamer

I was reading around at some twitters and found a great blog on dreaming: Notes From a Dreamer. Its one of the few informative blogs that I have been able to find that are up-to-date. I recommend everyone checks it out.  here