Use of Traditional Psychoactive Substances: An Overview from Ancient to Modern

Data

Official data in SubjectManager for the following academic year: 2020-2021

Course director

Number of hours/semester

lectures: 0 hours

practices: 0 hours

seminars: 12 hours

total of: 12 hours

Subject data

  • Code of subject: OAF-TRP-T
  • 1 kredit
  • General Medicine
  • Optional modul
  • both semesters
Prerequisites:

-

Course headcount limitations

min. 3 – max. 20

Topic

The main objectives of this course is an introduction to traditional and modern drug-related behavior from cultural aspects. Many psychoactive herbs are available on the Internet with no cultural tradition in western civilization. Indeed, active ingredients are often unknown. Here, we attempt to summarize the potential health and psychological risks factors and potential therapeutic effects.

Lectures

Practices

Seminars

  • 1. North America (Ephedera Sininca (Mormon tea), Pedicularis (Indian Warrior), Mexican Poppy, Peyote)
  • 2. Central and South America (Calea Zacatechichi (Mexican dream herb), Heimia Salicifolia (Sinicuichi), Ayahuasca, Guarana, Mulungu, Peruvian Torch cactus, Salvia divinorum)
  • 3. Africa (Sceletium Tortuosum (kanna), Silene Capensis (xhosa dream root), Leonotis Leonurus (wild dagga), Alepidea Amathimbica (imphepo), ubulawu (african ayahuasca tea)
  • 4. Eurázsia (Lactuca virosa (wild lettuce),Nymphea Caerulea (Blue Lilly), Amanita Muscaria (fly agaric), Psylocibe species, Lagochilus Inebrians, (Turkestan Mint)
  • 5. Australia and Oceania (Kava-kava root, Argyreia Nervosa seeds, kratom tree)
  • 6. Aspects of traditional usage
  • 7. Aspects of modern usage
  • 8. Risk assessments
  • 9. Rite or abuse?
  • 10. Evolutional point of view
  • 11. Internet world trends
  • 12. Therapeutic aspects

Reading material

Obligatory literature

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Literature developed by the Department

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Notes

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Recommended literature

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Conditions for acceptance of the semester

Maximum of 25 % absence allowed

Mid-term exams

Exam: a short (2-3 pages ) essay about a selected psychoactive plant/theme and related traditional and modern usage.

Making up for missed classes

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Exam topics/questions

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Examiners

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars

  • Dr. Feldmann Ádám