When Plants Dream: Ayahuasca and Psychedelic Renaissance - Daniel Pinchbeck

This book documents the plant ayahuasca, its history and properties as a powerful tool for transformation; one that more and more westerners are flocking to in their quest for introspection, self-knowledge, healing, and feeling grounded in the natural world. The plant has historically been used and cultivated and been used ritually by indigenous people of the Upper Amazon — drinking a brew made from the ayahuasca vines and the leaves of the shrub. The drink was usually taken under the direction of a specialist, named ayahuasqueros. They remain sober and guide the ritual ceremony. The book looks at the the different impacts it has on economic, environmental, social, political, and cultural planes. It contains recent pharmacological research in looking at its therapeutic qualities as well as the legal aspects of its use.