Spirituality

Neuroscientist explains the similarities between the brains of praying nuns and psychedelic drug users

Newberg, the director of research at Philadelphia’s Jefferson Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine [and] his research into how the brain responds to stimulus like prayer and drugs. Newberg explained one study that examined the brains of nuns who engaged in “centering prayer,” which is meant to create a feeling one oneness with God. The…

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Spirituality

How to begin the end of the war on drugs

Federal marijuana laws have long undermined our nation’s promise of liberty and justice for all. Our nation’s arbitrary efforts to criminalize a substance that is less dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes or fast food, has not only made our country less just, but our communities less safe. Our broken marijuana [and other drug] laws have…

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Spirituality

British Medical Journal calls for legalisation of drugs

“Change is coming, and doctors should use their authority to lead calls for pragmatic reform informed by science and ethics.​ It said the ban on the production, supply, possession and use of some drugs for non-medical purposes was causing huge harm. “There is an imperative to investigate more effective alternatives to criminalisation of drug use…

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Spirituality

Activists plan marijuana ceremony inside D.C. Basilica during eclipse

Cannabis churches have emerged around the country. Courts have not granted such organizations protection under the First Amendment to violate drug laws, though the Supreme Court in 2006 found religious use of ayahuasca is allowed under religious-freedom legislation passed by Congress to allow American Indians to use peyote. Armstrong believes a case her organization has…

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Spirituality

Court: growing hallucinogenic mushrooms not illegal in New Mexico

Growing hallucinogenic mushrooms isn’t prohibited by a New Mexico law against manufacturing an illegal drug. That’s the legal conclusion of the state Court of Appeals, which has overturned the felony drug trafficking conviction of an Alamogordo man for growing psilocybin mushrooms in his home. Under state law, drug trafficking includes the manufacturing of illegal drugs.…

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Spirituality

How the amazonian tea ayahuasca affects mental health

Working with ayahuasca seems to enhance both self-awareness and the ability to detach from maladaptive thoughts and emotions in the day-to-day, potentially creating more space to respond to stressful situations or life events in healthier ways. So far, mechanisms of action have been identified in the domains of neuroscience, psychology, spirituality, and physical health, and…

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