Ceremonial ‘Plant Medicine’ use and its relationship to recreational drug use: an exploratory study

This qualitative interview study (n=15) investigated how plant medicine facilitators differentiate the use of hallucinogenic drugs such as psilocybin and ayahuasca from recreational drug use and found that they define their practice through a “higher purpose” such as the healing of childhood traumas or treating of addiction that lays particular emphasis on ritual and integration as essential to this process.

Abstract

Background: The ceremonial use of psychoactive/hallucinogenic plant based drugs, such as ayahuasca, psilocybin and others, is a growing trend in the United States (US) and globally. To date, there has been little research documenting how many people are using psychoactive substances in this context, who the users are, what benefits/risks exist in the use of these drugs and the relationship between ceremonial drug use and recreational drug use. In this paper we describe a cohort of plant medicine facilitators in the US and explore how they differentiate plant medicine use from recreational drug use.

Methods: Using modified ethnography, individual interviews were conducted in 2016 with 15 participants who are currently facilitating plant medicine ceremonies in the US. Descriptive content analysis was performed to discover themes and to inform a larger mixed-method study.

Results: Ceremonial drug use was seen by participants as a natural healing and treatment modality used in the context of community and ritual. Three main themes were identified relating to participants’ differentiation between ceremonial plant medicine use and recreational drug use: (1) participants see a clear delineation between plant medicine use and recreational drug use; (2) plant medicine is seen as a potential treatment for addiction, but concerns exist regarding potential interference with recovery; and (3) plant medicine use may influence recreational use.

Conclusions: More research is needed on who is using plant medicine, motivators for use, perceived and real risks and benefits of plant medicine use and harm reduction techniques regarding safe ingestion.”

Authors: Caroline Dorsen, Joseph Palamar & Michele G. Shedlin

Summary of Ceremonial ‘Plant Medicine’ use and its relationship to recreational drug use: an exploratory study

Introduction

There is growing documentation of the use of hallucinogenic drugs for spiritual enlightenment, consciousness-raising and/or health improvement, and these drugs have played an important role in the development of the moral and ethical belief system and societal structure of many cultures across many millennia.

During the 1950s and 1960s, there was great interest in the potential for psychedelics in the treatment of mental illness and substance use. However, due to the complex political and social backlash against all drugs, psychedelic research was abruptly halted in the US in the 1970s.

To access this content, you must purchase one of the following memberships: Sprout Membership, Pro Membership, Pro Membership Unlimited, Business Membership or Business Membership Unlimited. The membership will give you access to exclusive data, including summaries of psychedelic research papers, extended company info, and our member-only visualisations. Save yourself multiple hours each week by accessing Blossom’s resource library.

Study details

Topics studied
Addiction

Study characteristics
Interviews Qualitative

Participants
15