Aleem Maqbool meets Richard Butler, who describes a new-found connection with Jesus during an Ayahuasca retreat in Mexico, after discovering spirituality through meditation.
Some psychedelic drugs, like the plant-based DMT found in the ayahuasca drink, have been the subject of medical trials for their help with mental health conditions such as depression, with some successful results. But alongside their medical potential is, for some, a connection between their use and spirituality.
To discuss what might be going on, the potential and the dangers of the so-called psychedelic renaissance, Aleem is joined by a fascinating panel. Rev Rita Powell is an Episcopal Priest who has taken magic mushrooms as part of a University trial in the US, Dr Ben Sessa is a psychiatrist involved in psychedelic research here in the UK and Dr David Luke, Associate Professor at the University of Greenwich, explores spirituality, psychedelics and ‘exceptional human experiences’ in his work.
Opening Music: Ayahuasca Icaros - Medicine (Cures For All)
Producer: Rebecca Maxted Assistant Producer: James Leesley
19/05/2014
Indian Elections
The Environment
Stonehenge
10/03/2014
Pope Francis
Are Institutions in Decline?
Religion in Russia
Yoga
The Ahmadi Community
Christianity and the Law
Eve
Archaeology and Religion
JRR Tolkien
Why Religions Change
Sunni and Shia in Islam
Near-Death Experiences
Comedy and Religion
Martin Luther King
Buddhism and Violence
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