Shamanism

Rex Weissenbach Melissa ConnollyPolly Chiu Melissa Newman

Outline

• Introduction to Shamanism (Rex)

• Physiology of the Shamans ASC (Polly)

• Neural Ecology of Healing (Melissa C.)

• Shamanism Today and Conclusion (Melissa N.)

Class Themes

• What is an ordinary state of consciousness and what is an altered state?

• Is there a duality or a continuum states?

What’s a Shaman?

•Also known as “Medicine Man” “Witch Doctor” or “Sorcerer”

•Induces ecstatic trance states to communicate with the spirits

•This allows shamans to heal, communicate with the animals, control natural elements (fire, rain), and other magical feats

Sadly not the original medicine man

Where are Shamans Found?

Ecstatic Trance States1. The physiological response

• Mind becomes focused• Nervous system detaches itself from

external sensory input• Reflex inertia & involuntary nervous responses

2. The emotional response• Continuum of emotion

• Awe, love, sadness…

3. The intuitive perception• Consciousness is expanded

Depth of Trance

Light trance•Pulse and breathing rate slows•Reluctance to move, speak, think or act•Visual illusions may occur

Medium trance•Illusions of touch, taste and smell•May experience cataplexy

Deep trance•Able to open eyes and not affect trance•Positive and negative hallucinations•Sensations of lightness/floating•Able to control visions and dreams

Which one is he in???

Physiology of the Shaman’s ASC

General theories

Activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems

Very deep rest induces the “letting go” experience

Shamanic induction procedures

Extensive motor behavior

Auditory driving

Fasting and nutritional restrictions

Sensory deprivation & stimulation

Hallucinogens

Shamanic induction procedures

Extensive motor behavior Dancing

Hypoglycemia release of endogenous opiates

Auditory Driving

Drumming, singing, or chanting

Synchrony in alpha and theta waves

Shamanic induction procedures

Fasting and nutritional restrictions

Fasting induces hypoglycemic state

Food & water deprivation Effects the pituitary and adrenal glands Stimulates the hypothalamus &

hippocampal-septal systems

Nutritional deficient changes in the CNS Influence serotonin synthesis

Shamanic induction procedures

Sensory deprivation & stimulation

Increase cortical synchronization

Greater sensitivity to parasympathetic stimulation

Slowing of the alpha band along

Emergence of delta waves

Loss of serotonin inhibition

Shamanic induction procedures

Hallucinogens

Use of psychoactive plant substances HallucinationsVisionsSeizure induced ASCsParasympathetic dominance

Healing Practices of Shamanism

Oldest healing tradition in the world

Soul Retrieval

Extraction of Spiritual Intrusions

Physical Ailments

Consciousness and Healing

Drumming, Music Dance Community

Psychedelic Drugs

Neural Ecology of Healing: ASC

Music/Drums- GSR- muscle tension- heart rate/blood pressure- mood/attitude- decrease EMG responses- reduces pain- audioanalgesic mechanisms

Neural Ecology of Healing: ASC

Dance

- Opioid Mechanism

- triggered by the A-delta mechanosensitive afferent nerve fibers

- reduction of pain

- enhanced tolerance of stress

- stimulate immune system functioning

Neural Ecology of Healing: ASC

Community

- also involves Opioids

- emotionally charged cultural symbols

- placebo elicitation of opioids

Neural Ecology of Healing: ASC

LSD

- Sensory

- Behavioral

- Emotional

- Cognitive

Shamanism Today

•Schools and programs exist all around the world where people learn how to become a shaman

•Used in mainstream culture as a way to help “lost souls”

Conclusions

• Defining ordinary waking states of consciousness versus altered states is culturally and linguistically constrained

• Previous Western views depicting shamanic practices as fraudulent and deceptive have been overturned by findings that neurochemical changes do occur as a result of these practices.

For Further Reading

• Eliade, Mircea. Shamanism. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1964.

• Langdon, Jean and Gerhard Baer, ed. Portals of Power. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1992.

• Van Deusen, Kira. Singing Story, Healing Drum. London: McGill-Queens University Press, 2004.

• Winkelman, Michael. Shamanism: The Neural Ecology of Consciousness and Healing. Westport: Bergin and

Garvey, 2000. • http://fusionanomaly.net/secretlifeoftrance.html • http://www.radiov.com/main/beam/features/secretoftrance/ • http://www.shamanic-healing.de/englisch/heilerschule.htm