Investigators: Frank G. Echenhofer Ph.D., Katee Wynia MA, Jay Gunkelman QEEGD, Luis Eduardo Luna Ph.D., Wayne G. Whitehouse Ph.D, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco CA.
Sponsor: Currently self-funded; MAPS providing publicity and serving as conduit for tax-deductable donations.
The purpose of this proposed research is to further study the patterning and dynamics of enhanced EEG gamma coherence during ayahuasca to develop biofeedback protocols, which, in turn, might be used to enable individuals to voluntarily access states of heightened awareness without using an entheogen. Previous EEG recordings from two individuals very familiar with the sacred use of ayahuasca detected high gamma EEG. The current research is designed to replicate and extend these earlier findings, and will be conducted in twelve research participants familiar with the sacred use of ayahuasca who will take part in an ayahuasca seminar occurring in southern Brazil from January 7-18, 2005 designed to facilitate spiritual development.
Potential research participants and donors can view the research proposal for this study. Individuals interested in making tax-deductible donations to “Exploring Personality, Phenonenological, and EEG Correlates of the Ayahuasca Journey Experience to Facilitate Spiritual Development: To support this research project contact MAPS, an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, and MAPS will allocate 100% of the donations ear-marked for this project as well as providing donors with needed documentation for tax purposes. It is important that you indicate to MAPS that your donation is for the Echenhofer Ayahuasca EEG Project.
- Read Dr. Echenhofer’s research proposal.
