Psychedelics & Other "Spiritual Technologies" (#39) - a podcast by Dan Koch

Why is everyone suddenly talking about psychedelic drugs again? What do we know about them, and what is their relationship to more “ordinary” religious experiences? Is taking a psychedelic as part of a worship service any different than dimming the lights and swaying together to worship music? What can we learn about human brains and religious experience in general from the research on psychedelics? Today we hear from theologian Sarah Lane Ritchie, who both works on these questions from a theological perspective and also has been a participant in a controlled psilocybin trial in the UK. And yes, she tells us about her trip! Later in our chat, she shares her personal struggles with experiencing God as “personal” in the way that so many of her friends and colleagues are able to do (myself included). This was an incredible conversation.

Sarah is Lecturer in Theology and Science at the University of Edinburgh. She has a PhD in Science and Religion from the University of Edinburgh, where her doctoral work focused on the question of divine action in the human mind. A Michigander by birth, Sarah also holds a BA in Philosophy and Religion from Spring Arbor University, an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an MSc in Science and Religion from the University of Edinburgh. Her published work focuses on questions arising from the intersection of theology, philosophy, and the various brain-related sciences.

Sarah’s Book: https://smile.amazon.com/Divine-Action-Current-Issues-Theology/dp/1108476511/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=sarah+lane+ritchie&qid=1570383111&sr=8-2

Sarah has a chapter in this much cheaper collection as well: https://smile.amazon.com/Philosophy-Science-Religion-Everyone-Pritchard/dp/1138234214/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=sarah+lane+ritchie&qid=1570383111&sr=8-1

Edited by Laura Kondourajian
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