Psychonautics: Difference between revisions
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[[File:UrGod.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''The internet's transcension'' - A humorous composition piece created by [[user:Josikins|Josikins]] to serve as an example of [[psychedelic]] artwork. The images used represent the artist's most significant personal influences in regards to their exploration of the field of [[psychonautics]].]] | [[File:UrGod.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''The internet's transcension'' - A humorous composition piece created by [[user:Josikins|Josikins]] to serve as an example of [[psychedelic]] artwork. The images used represent the artist's most significant personal influences in regards to their exploration of the field of [[psychonautics]].]] | ||
'''Psychonautics''' (from the | '''Psychonautics''' (from the Ancient Greek ψυχή '''psychē''' ["soul, spirit, or mind"] and ναύτης '''naútēs''' ["sailor" or "navigator" – "a sailor of the soul"]<ref name="Blom">Blom, Jan Dirk (2009). A Dictionary of Hallucinations. Springer. p. 434. ISBN 978-1-4419-1222-0. Retrieved 2010-03-05.</ref> refers to a methodology for describing altered states of consciousness as well as to a research paradigm in which the user induces these states to gain insight into consciousness and existence.<ref name="addiction research">Ketamine Case Study: The Phenomenology of a Ketamine Experience | http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/16066350801983707</ref> | ||
The term has been diversely applied to cover all activities in which altered states are utilized to study the nature of consciousness. These activities include the ritual practices of traditional [[shamanism]], [[meditation|various meditation practices]], yoga, and the controlled use of [[hallucinogenic]] or [[entheogenic]] substances. A person who endeavors to explore altered states for such purposes may be called a '''psychonaut'''. | The term has been diversely applied to cover all activities in which altered states are utilized to study the nature of consciousness. These activities include the ritual practices of traditional [[shamanism]], [[meditation|various meditation practices]], yoga, and the controlled use of [[hallucinogenic]] or [[entheogenic]] substances. A person who endeavors to explore altered states for such purposes may be called a '''psychonaut'''. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
The term ''psychonautics'' derives from the prior term ''psychonaut'', usually attributed to German author Ernst Jünger | The term ''psychonautics'' derives from the prior term ''psychonaut'', which is usually attributed to German author Ernst Jünger. Jünger used the term in describing Arthur Heffter in his 1970 essay on his own extensive drug experiences ''Annäherungen: Drogen und Rausch'' (translated as "Approaches: Drugs and Inebriation").<ref name="Blom" /><ref>Jünger, E. (1970). Annaherungen: Drogen und Rausch. Psychonauten (pp. 430).</ref> In this essay, Jünger draws many parallels between drug-induced experiences and physical exploration—for example, the danger of encountering hidden "reefs." | ||
Peter J. Carroll made ''Psychonaut'' the title of a 1982 book on the experimental use of [[meditation]], [[ritual]] and [[psychoactive substances]] in the | Peter J. Carroll made ''Psychonaut'' the title of a 1982 book on the experimental use of [[meditation]], [[ritual]] and [[psychoactive substances]] in the exploration of consciousness and of psychic phenomena, or "chaos magic".<ref>{{cite book |last=Carroll |first=Peter J. |title=''Liber Null''. (1978) and ''Psychonaut''. (1982) (published in one volume in 1987) |isbn=0-87728-639-6}}</ref> The term's first published use in an academic context can be traced to ethnobotanist [[Jonathan Ott]] in 2001.<ref>Ott, J. (2001). Pharmanopo-psychonautics: human intranasal, sublingual, intrarectal, pulmonary and oral pharmacology of bufotenine. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 33(3), 273. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2001.10400574</ref> | ||
==Formal definition and usage== | ==Formal definition and usage== | ||
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===Distinction from [[recreational substance use]]=== | ===Distinction from [[recreational substance use]]=== | ||
The aims and methods of psychonautics (when mind-altering substances are involved) can be distinguished from those of [[recreational drug use]] | The aims and methods of psychonautics (when mind-altering substances are involved) can be distinguished from those of [[recreational drug use]]. While typically viewed as some of the most powerful tools for such purposes, the use of mind-altering substances are considered but one of an array of methods that facilitate personal insight, as well as for reasons which may take place in a communal religious or spiritual context. | ||
In contrast, recreational substance use is primarily sought out for purposes other than self-exploration, such as pleasure-seeking or socializing. Although these two concepts can often manifest themselves as a byproduct of substance usage, an important point of divergence between the two contexts depends entirely on the user's intentions, desired and actualized outcomes. | |||
==Methods== | ==Methods== | ||
Revision as of 18:26, 29 August 2018
Psychonautics (from the Ancient Greek ψυχή psychē ["soul, spirit, or mind"] and ναύτης naútēs ["sailor" or "navigator" – "a sailor of the soul"][1] refers to a methodology for describing altered states of consciousness as well as to a research paradigm in which the user induces these states to gain insight into consciousness and existence.[2]
The term has been diversely applied to cover all activities in which altered states are utilized to study the nature of consciousness. These activities include the ritual practices of traditional shamanism, various meditation practices, yoga, and the controlled use of hallucinogenic or entheogenic substances. A person who endeavors to explore altered states for such purposes may be called a psychonaut.
Etymology
The term psychonautics derives from the prior term psychonaut, which is usually attributed to German author Ernst Jünger. Jünger used the term in describing Arthur Heffter in his 1970 essay on his own extensive drug experiences Annäherungen: Drogen und Rausch (translated as "Approaches: Drugs and Inebriation").[1][3] In this essay, Jünger draws many parallels between drug-induced experiences and physical exploration—for example, the danger of encountering hidden "reefs."
Peter J. Carroll made Psychonaut the title of a 1982 book on the experimental use of meditation, ritual and psychoactive substances in the exploration of consciousness and of psychic phenomena, or "chaos magic".[4] The term's first published use in an academic context can be traced to ethnobotanist Jonathan Ott in 2001.[5]
Formal definition and usage
Clinical psychiatrist Dr. Jan Dirk Blom describes psychonautics as denoting "the exploration of the psyche by means of techniques such as lucid dreaming, sensory deprivation, and the use of hallucinogens or entheogens." He describes the psychonaut as one who "seeks to investigate their mind using intentionally induced altered states of consciousness" for spiritual or scientific research purposes.[1]
Psychologist Dr. Elliot Cohen of Leeds Metropolitan University and the U.K. Institute of Psychosomanautics defines psychonautics as "the means to study and explore consciousness (including the unconscious) and altered states of consciousness. It rests on the realization that to study consciousness is to transform it. It is associated with a long tradition of historical cultures worldwide."[6] Leeds Metropolitan University is currently the only university in the United Kingdom to offer a module in psychonautics.
Distinction from recreational substance use
The aims and methods of psychonautics (when mind-altering substances are involved) can be distinguished from those of recreational drug use. While typically viewed as some of the most powerful tools for such purposes, the use of mind-altering substances are considered but one of an array of methods that facilitate personal insight, as well as for reasons which may take place in a communal religious or spiritual context.
In contrast, recreational substance use is primarily sought out for purposes other than self-exploration, such as pleasure-seeking or socializing. Although these two concepts can often manifest themselves as a byproduct of substance usage, an important point of divergence between the two contexts depends entirely on the user's intentions, desired and actualized outcomes.
Methods
- Psychoactive substance use - Psychoactive substances in general can be used as tools for psychonautics, depending on the intent and outcome. However, hallucinogens make up the majority of substances used for the purpose of psychonautics. These typically include naturally occurring, plant-based psychedelic such as peyote, ibogaine, psilocybin mushrooms, LSA and DMT (in the form of ayahuasca), although they can also include semisynthetic compounds such as LSD. Dissociatives such as ketamine, dextromethorphan and atypical psychedelics such as Amanita muscaria and Salvia divinorum are sometimes used. Those who attribute extra-worldly, religious, or spiritual significance to these substances may refer to them as entheogens.
- Meditation[1]
- Yoga
- Dream exploration (also known as oneironautics) - Dream journals and particularly lucid dreaming[1] in which the person retains a degree of volition and awareness is included.
- Ritual - Ritual is used as a means of inducing an altered state and also for practical purposes of grounding and of obtaining suitable focus and intention.
- Trance[1]
- Sensory deprivation[1]
- Fasting
- Sleep deprivation
- Oxygen deprivation (via smoke inhalation or holotropic breathwork).
Note: The methods listed above may be used in combination, and should not be considered exhaustive. For example, archaic traditions such as shamanism may combine ritual, fasting, and hallucinogenic substances.
See also
- Responsible use
- Psychoactive substance index
- Subjective effect index
- Replication index
- Experience index
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Blom, Jan Dirk (2009). A Dictionary of Hallucinations. Springer. p. 434. ISBN 978-1-4419-1222-0. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
- ↑ Ketamine Case Study: The Phenomenology of a Ketamine Experience | http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/16066350801983707
- ↑ Jünger, E. (1970). Annaherungen: Drogen und Rausch. Psychonauten (pp. 430).
- ↑ Carroll, Peter J. Liber Null. (1978) and Psychonaut. (1982) (published in one volume in 1987). ISBN 0-87728-639-6.
- ↑ Ott, J. (2001). Pharmanopo-psychonautics: human intranasal, sublingual, intrarectal, pulmonary and oral pharmacology of bufotenine. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 33(3), 273. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2001.10400574
- ↑ UK Institute of Psychonautics and Somanautics | http://www.transpersonalacademy.co.uk/psychonautics.html