Objetivos:

In recent decades we have witnessed the resurgence of studies on psychedelics. In addition to the traditional uses of master plants containing psychedelic substances, there is an important proliferation and globalization of uses in new contexts. Contemporary interdisciplinary research on the uses of psychedelics and master plants includes new methodologies, findings, and challenges.

In many shamanic systems, the use of these plants for medicinal, divinatory or magical purposes is a substantial part of them. There is also a strong presence of consumption practices of this type of substances in new therapeutic, spiritual and religious spheres. At the same time, basic and clinical research is increasing in various areas.

The proliferation of the use of master plants / psychedelics, triggers a series of essential problems to be addressed by an interdisciplinary perspective, which observes the political economy, chemical-pharmacological characteristics and psychological and anthropological aspects of the uses of these plants / substances. The political economy product of its globalization, its therapeutic potentials, risks, implications and scientific-political challenges, are some of the main axes through which current research in relation to these issues travels.

The objective of this course is to trace a journey from the classical conceptions around these themes, from the three areas addressed, and to bring those who participate in it closer to the particularities, main findings, tensions and challenges that characterize these areas and their studies .

Contents:

1. Introduction to the chemical and pharmacological aspects of psychedelic substances.
2. Anthropology, shamanism and traditional uses of master plants; Neo-Shamanism, Psychedelics, and Contemporary Spirituality Networks.
3. Psychology and psychiatry clinical studies of psychedelics. History and current developments.
4. Chemistry and Pharmacology of Psychedelics: Hallucinogens and Empatogens.
5. Religious rituals, psychedelics and mental health from medical anthropology and the cognitive science of religion.
6. Regulation, drugs and religious freedom in the case of ayahuasca and peyote.

In recent years there has been a resurgence of scientific interest in the effects of so-called psychedelic drugs on the human body. It has been motivated by an increase in the unregulated consumption of these substances for both alternative and recreational therapeutic purposes. In this course, recent scientific findings related to the medicinal potential of the use of certain psychedelic substances will be presented as input, in summary form. In particular, studies on the antidepressant effect of ayahuasca and psilocybin, the properties of MDMA for its use in post-traumatic stress disorder and the anti-addictive properties of ibogaine will be covered. Are these substances effective? What are its benefits and risks? What treatment conditions do they require to obtain their medicinal effects?

The potential medicinal use of these psychedelic substances is far from their recreational use and is not adapted to the classic drug-patient scheme either. The course will promote the discussion on the aspects that could be included in an alternative regulatory framework that would promote scientific research, and the careful and safe use of these substances to exploit their beneficial aspects for health, minimizing the existing risks.

Teacher: Dr. Ignacio Carrera. Adjunct Professor of the Department of Organic Chemistry – Faculty of Chemistry – University of the Republic.

Objective: The course aims to understand different contemporary research on the use of certain psychedelic substances as potential treatments for different psychiatric conditions (such as major depression, substance abuse dependence, and post-traumatic stress disorder).

In this way, the teacher will act as a facilitator to understand the state of the art of science on this subject, so that the group can later elaborate and reflect on aspects that could be included in an alternative regulatory framework that promotes scientific research. , and the careful and safe use of these substances to exploit their beneficial aspects for health, minimizing the existing risks

Duration: Four classes of 2 hours each.

TEMARY:

Unit 1. Chemistry and Pharmacology of psychedelic substances. Substances that induce altered states of consciousness: evolution of the terms psychotomimetic, psycholithic and psychedelic. Chemical and pharmacological classification. Psychedelics present in plants / fungi, synthetic and semi-synthetic. Brief introduction to the chemistry and pharmacology of LSD, DMT, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ibogaine.

Unit 2. Hallucinogens. Chemical and pharmacological generalities. Psilocybin: History of its use by humans. History of its use in psychotherapy. Current research on anxiolytic and antidepressant properties carried out by John Hopkins University (USA) and the Imperial College of London (England, UK)

Unit 3. Empatogens or enhancers of feelings. Chemical and pharmacological generalities. MDMA: History and antecedents of its use in psychotherapy. Current research and clinical trials carried out by MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) in front of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, USA) for its use in psychotherapy focused on the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Unit 4. Oneirogenic (dream generators). Chemical and Pharmacological Generalities. Ayahuasca: History. Chemical composition. Research on its use as an antidepressant from the Brain Institute (Brazil). Ibogaine: History. Anti-addictive properties: pharmacological studies in animal models (UdelaR and IIBCE, Uruguay) and observational studies in humans (New York University)

Sacred plants or entheogens have been and are used for various purposes throughout time and in all parts of the world. In many shamanic systems, the use of these plants for medicinal, divinatory or magical purposes is a substantial part of them. Throughout the course we will see the anthropological relevance of the study of shamanic practices, but we will not only stay with the classic approaches on the subject, but we will advance to other contemporary perspectives that place shamanism in a critical perspective. The genealogical trace of the very concept of shamanism will serve as the basis for understanding specificities in the use of plants such as ayahuasca. Religions, tourism, diets, neo-shamanic practices, therapeutic uses, etc. have been formed around the use of ayahuasca. We will pay special attention to the effects that the global expansion of ayahuasca is producing, giving special emphasis to the aspects that link it to religious groups and new spiritualities as well as its therapeutic potentials, where the biomedical field produces important findings in terms of risks and benefits in the use of ayahuasca in different modalities. The proliferation of the use of sacred plants, with ayahuasca as a paradigm, triggers a series of essential problems to be addressed by a critical anthropology that addresses the political economy of ayahuasca and its place within a world circuit of therapeutic / spiritual offerings. The objective of the course is to trace a panoramic journey from the classical conceptions around shamanism to the analysis of the implications of different orders that are unleashed with the proliferation of shamanic techniques and the use of sacred plants. The most relevant authors will be treated in each of the different aspects to work in the course.

Program

1. Shamanism and Sacred Plants
2. From shamanism to Neo-shamanism
3. Diversity in the world of Ayahuasca
4. Ayahuasque Religions
5. Neo-shamanism in Uruguay
6. Rituals, entheogens and health
7. Political economy of ayahuasca