Psychedelic Renaissance

Psychedelic Renaissance offers a comprehensive exploration of psychedelics, both natural and synthetic psychoactive compounds known for inducing profound mind-manifesting experiences. Students will delve into the chemical structures, pharmacology, and neurobiology of psychedelics as understood today.

  • 50 Enrolled
  • All levels
  • Last updated Jul '24
  • English
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Florida International University
Course Description

Psychedelic Renaissance offers a comprehensive exploration of psychedelics, both natural and synthetic psychoactive compounds known for inducing profound mind-manifesting experiences. Students will delve into the chemical structures, pharmacology, and neurobiology of psychedelics as understood today. The historical context spans millennia, tracing their use from ancient times to pivotal moments in the 20th and 21st centuries, such as the synthesis of LSD and subsequent legal and cultural shifts.

Recent legislative changes and societal attitudes towards psychedelics, marked by decriminalization efforts and therapeutic applications, highlight a contemporary paradigm shift. The course critically examines whether this resurgence reflects a genuine recognition of psychedelics’ therapeutic potential for mental health or a fleeting hype with potential societal repercussions.

Interdisciplinary in nature, the course integrates chemistry, neurobiology, ethnobotany, public policy, history, philosophy, spirituality, psychology, anthropology, and research methodologies. Students will engage in rigorous readings, discussions, and assignments aimed at fostering critical thinking and exploring future implications for the field of psychedelics.

This course is only available to (honours) students from Florida International University.

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.

FREE (only for FIU students)

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This course includes

  • Lectures 15
  • Duration 15 Weeks
  • Skills All levels
  • Language English
  • Availability Cohort
  • Certificate No

Course Tags

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