Course Details:
Launch Date: August 5, 2025
Expires: August 31, 2027
Course #1068
8 Credits/Hours
Course Overview
This comprehensive course explores the historical, cultural, and scientific dimensions of natural psychedelics. Students will examine traditional ceremonial practices spanning thousands of years, investigate the anthropological significance of plant medicines across diverse cultures, and analyze contemporary research into their therapeutic potential. The course bridges indigenous knowledge systems with modern neuroscience, providing a balanced perspective on substances that have shaped human consciousness and healing practices throughout history.
Table of Contents
- Origins and Ethnobotany of Natural Psychedelics
- Indigenous Ceremonial Practices and Cultural Context
- Pharmacology and Neuroscience of Psychedelic Compounds
- Historical Suppression and the Psychedelic Renaissance
- Contemporary Research and Therapeutic Applications
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify major natural psychedelic substances and their botanical sources across different geographical regions
- Analyze the role of psychedelics in indigenous spiritual and healing traditions with cultural sensitivity
- Explain the neurobiological mechanisms through which psychedelic compounds affect human consciousness
- Evaluate the historical, legal, and social factors that influenced psychedelic research and policy
- Critically assess current scientific evidence regarding therapeutic applications of natural psychedelics
- Discuss ethical considerations surrounding cultural appropriation, research practices, and access to psychedelic therapies
- Synthesize traditional knowledge systems with contemporary scientific approaches to understanding psychedelic experiences
