Introduction to Psychedelic Therapies

Introduction to Psychedelic Therapies (CNSG-799) is a special topics course designed exclusively for current Naropa graduate students, offering a comprehensive exploration of psychedelic medicines and their applications in various healing modalities.

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  • University
  • Last updated Oct '23
  • English
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Course Description

Introduction to Psychedelic Therapies (CNSG-799) is a special topics course designed exclusively for current Naropa graduate students, offering a comprehensive exploration of psychedelic medicines and their applications in various healing modalities.

This course emphasizes harm reduction, safety concerns, ethical implications, and the potential benefits of psychedelic use in diverse settings. Students gain valuable insight into this emerging field of mental health care by providing an overview of current psychedelic therapies in areas such as palliative care and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

The course adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from various disciplines such as counselling psychology, religious studies, chaplaincy, and ecopsychology. This multifaceted perspective allows students to develop a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between the various factors involved in psychedelic therapies. Through this course, Naropa graduate students can deepen their knowledge of the transformative potential of psychedelic medicines and explore their roles as future practitioners in this exciting and rapidly evolving field.

You will learn:

  • What is Bwiti?
  • Roles in Bwiti initiation/treatment
  • Instruments in Bwiti: ngombe, mogongo
  • What is an Nganga
    • Maboundi/Yombo
    • Maboundi/Yombo
  • Sustainability/reciprocity

You will learn:

  • History of the Fang tradition
  • Dissumba vs. Dissumba Fang
  • Ombwiri/Mbumbayano Fang
  • The kambo
  • State of Fang Bwiti in Gabon
  • Impact of Westerners coming to work with the sacred wood

You will learn:

  • History of the Missoko tradition
  • Various branches of Missoko initiation:
    • Miobe/Mioba
    • Ngonde Na Dipuma
    • Sengedia
  • The impact of logging on the tradition
  • What the future of Bwiti could look like in Gabon

You will learn:

  • History of Dissumba
  • Various branches of Dissumba initiation:
    • Abanji/Mabanji
    • Ilombo
    • Ombwiri
    • Ombudi
    • Loro
  • The ngombe (sacred harp)
  • Healing rituals involved in her tradition
  • Training to serve the wood
    • What does it involve?
    • How long does it take?

instructor-image

Tatayo

Instructor

About Instructor

Tatayo (“Fruit of the Wind”) first arrived in Gabon in 1971 at the age of 21 and became a Gabonese citizen. In 1979, he became the first white person to be initiated into the Bwiti Fang tradition in Gabon. In 1994, he was initiated into the Misokko tradition. As a guide for numerous expeditions and missions, including those of National Geographic, the BBC, and others, Tatayo is considered to have “opened the door” to westerners in Gabon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below for start and finish dates/times. This course is currently being offered live and dates/times will change throughout the year.

Only for CIIS Graduate Students

This course includes

  • Lectures 10
  • Duration 4 Months
  • Skills University
  • Language English
  • Availability Cohort
  • Certificate No
Introduction to Psychedelic Therapies Course Image