This paper argues that psychological distress following ayahuasca ceremonies among Western users often occurs alongside profound spiritual experiences and is usefully framed as a "spiritual emergency" within a liminality framework. Drawing on indigenous shamanic initiation ethnography and three case studies, the author emphasises that therapists trained to treat spiritual crises can help clients make meaning and recover, while cautioning against romanticising Western users as shamans.
- Published
- Journal
- AnthroSource
- Authors
- Lewis, S. E.