Review of Global Ayahuasca: Wondrous Visions and Modern, Stanford University Press (Gearin, Alex)

Global Ayahuasca: Wondrous Visions and Modern Worlds is a much-welcomed analysis and synthesis of diverse ways that ayahuasca is experienced in three distinct corners of the world. It is a much needed addition to the ayahuasca and psychedelic literature. Gearin builds upon existing work that documents how the use of ayahuasca is not exclusive to its endemic Amazonia plant origins as both the plants and new rituals have since been naturalized elsewhere. The book blends academic rigor with an engaging self-reflexive style that offers insights into the lived experience of his field sites. He applaudingly steers away from the edge of sensationalism and universalism of psychedelic research as well as from the exceeding abundance of sloppy material published on the internet for the general public. He achieves this by blending ethnographic description with academic research in exploring the diverse ways in which the cultural shaping of wonder is central for ayahuasca participants and practitioners. While the contexts and rituals vary, they all seek to connect with the divine, heal the body/soul, and gain wisdom while blending indigenous traditions with global spiritual currents.