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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
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
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
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
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