Researching ayahuasca experiences: a phenomenal challenge

Here’s a 30 minute, academic talk about my ayahuasca research to the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College, London.

In this talk, I present my qualitative, longitudinal research into the experiences of those visiting the Peruvian Amazon for indigenous-inspired ayahuasca ceremonies. I discuss my responses to the ethical, legal, and practical challenges of obtaining rich, experiential data. The talk explores the benefits of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and ethnographic methods in researching experiences that are often illegal, overwhelming, and ineffable. My findings speak to participants’ hopes, fears, the acute experience of ayahuasca, and how the plant medicine is recruited, befriended, and harnessed to promote personal growth and transformation over time. Together, we explore how research methods may be adapted and combined to capture and respect the profound nature of psychedelic journeys.

Thanks to James Close for the invitation.

A video of my talk is available, below. Recorded Tuesday 26 November 2024.