Psychoneurological dimensions of anomalous experience in relation to religious belief and spiritual practice

Abstract

For several years, I have been interested in the Brazilian churches that use a particular mind-altering brew as a sacrament. This brew is referred to as “ayahuasca,�?“yage,�?“hoasca,�? etc., depending on the part of the country in which one encounters it. I am often invited to participate in evening ceremonies by the church elders, and one visit was especially memorable.