Psychedelic Science PSY 275

The course Psychedelic Science at Missouri Western delves into the latest research that supports using psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) as a promising new medicine for mental disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

  • 250 Enrolled
  • University
  • Last updated Mar '23
  • English
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Missouri Western State University
Course Description

The course Psychedelic Science at Missouri Western delves into the latest research that supports using psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) as a promising new medicine for mental disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

Students will explore the evidence of successful treatments using substances such as psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, ayahuasca, and medical marijuana. Through reading and discussing the required text "How to Change Your Mind" by Michael Pollan (and other texts), students will gain an understanding of the history of psychedelic use by humans, cultural and legal issues concerning psychedelic use, and methods of psychedelic risk reduction and peer support.

Throughout the course, students will examine the role of psychedelics in expanding creativity and human potential, as well as their effects on the brain. The course will benefit students from various majors, including psychology, nursing, biology/chemistry, philosophy, and business/marketing.

Writing assignments will challenge students to think critically about the topics covered in the course, including modern psychedelic research, medical marijuana, ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, Peyote, and DMT, as well as the dangers of psychedelic use and the future directions of the field.

By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the science and culture behind psychedelics and their potential benefits in the field of mental health.

This course is available for students of MWSU, and is currently ongoing.

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 available to MWSU students
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This course includes

  • Lectures 14
  • Duration 14 Weeks
  • Skills University
  • Language English
  • Availability Cohort
  • Certificate No

Course Tags

Psychedelic Science PSY 275 Course Image