Table of Contents
Women and Psychedelics: Uncovering Invisible Voices
This anthology of short essays delves into the role of women in the history of psychedelics, spotlighting those who have been pioneers in their fields. More than just acknowledging women’s past contributions to psychedelic history, the authors explore the profound impact women have had on the development of psychedelic knowledge.
Utilizing a mix of historical and anthropological methods along with engaging interviews, the collection connects with women’s networks across the globe throughout the 20th century. It uncovers the intricate and innovative ways women have shaped our understanding of psychedelics and highlights their ongoing role in safeguarding this heritage as we venture into a psychedelic future. Deliberately extending beyond American narratives, it highlights connections in Latin America, bringing together contributors from the Chacruna Institute and Chacruna Latinamérica. This collection fosters discussions that traverse time and geography across the Americas. It is the first to emphasize the inclusion of non-English stories, translated to showcase diverse cultural perspectives from outside the United States on women’s enduring contributions to this historical narrative.
About the editors
Erika Dyck
Erika Dyck is a Professor at the University of Saskatchewan. She holds the Canada Research Chair in the History of Health & Social Justice. She has authored or co-authored several books. Her works include “Psychedelic Psychiatry” (2008) and “A Culture’s Catalyst” (2016). Other titles are “Psychedelic Prophets” (2018) and “Mujeres y Psicodélicos” (2022). She also co-authored “The Acid Room” (2022). She serves on the Board of Directors of the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines. She is also the Associate Director of the Chacruna Institute in Canada.
Patrick Farrell
Patrick Farrell is part of the Chacruna Chronicles editorial team. He supports the series on women’s history in psychedelics. He holds an MA in History & Philosophy of Science from the University of Alberta. Currently, Patrick is an editor based in Toronto. He co-edited “Psychedelic Prophets: The Letters of Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond” (2018) with Erika Dyck. His other contributions include “The Brain’s Way of Healing” (Viking Press, 2015) and “A Culture’s Catalyst: Historical Encounters with Peyote” (University of Manitoba Press, 2016). He also contributed to “Metis Matriarchs: Agents of Transition” (University of Regina Press, forthcoming). Besides editing, Patrick teaches history of philosophy courses at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. He volunteers at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children.
Beatriz Caiuby Labate, Ph.D.
Dr. Beatriz Caiuby Labate (Bia Labate) is a queer Brazilian anthropologist based in San Francisco. She earned her Ph.D. in social anthropology from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil. Her research focuses on plant medicines, drug policy, shamanism, ritual, religion, and social justice. She serves as Executive Director of the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines. She also works as a Public Education and Culture Specialist at MAPS. Labate is a Visiting Scholar at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Additionally, she advises the Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition. She co-founded Brazil’s Interdisciplinary Group for Psychoactive Studies (NEIP) and edits its site. Labate has authored, co-authored, and co-edited twenty-eight books and numerous scholarly articles.
Clancy Cavnar, Psy.D.
Clancy Cavnar holds a Psy.D. in clinical psychology from John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, CA. She practices privately in San Francisco and co-founded the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines. She is also a Board member there. Additionally, she is a research associate at the Interdisciplinary Group for Psychoactive Studies (NEIP). Cavnar is a clinical psychologist, artist, and researcher. She earned an MFA in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute and a master’s in counselling from San Francisco State University. She completed the Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy program at CIIS. Cavnar has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and co-edited eleven books with Beatriz Caiuby Labate.
Ibrahim Gabriell
Ibrahim Gabriell is a communicologist and multidisciplinary researcher of expanded states of consciousness. He teaches in Chiapas, Mexico, offering courses in Communication Studies at Universidad de los Altos de Chiapas and Transpersonal Psychology at Universidad Jose Vasconcelos. He is a Communications Associate for Chacruna Latinoamérica in Mexico. Gabriell co-founded Vía Synapsis, an academic society that hosts the National Congress on Psychoactive Substances at the National University of Mexico. He has worked as an assistant editor at Lunaria publishing house. Gabriell also co-hosts two podcasts for MindSurf: “MindSurf – Transformations of Consciousness” and “Psyche & Cosmos.”
Glauber Loures De Assis, Ph.D.
Dr. Glauber Loures de Assis is Associate Director of Chacruna Latinoamérica in Brazil. He earned a Ph.D. in sociology from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). He is also a Research Associate at the Interdisciplinary Group for Psychoactive Studies (NEIP) in Brazil. His research focuses on ayahuasca religions, new religious movements, the internationalization of Brazilian religions, drug use in society, and psychedelic parenthood. He has authored numerous articles and book chapters and is the co-editor of “Women and Psychedelics: Uncovering Invisible Voices” (Synergetic Press/Chacruna Institute, in press). Glauber has 15 years of experience as an ayahuasca practitioner, engaging with his local community and Indigenous leaders in Brazil. He leads Jornadas de Kura, a plant medicine center bridging ceremonial use and psychedelic science. Glauber is a father of three and lives with his wife, Jacqueline Rodrigues, in Santa Luzia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.