BREAKING OPEN THE HEAD  A psychedelic journey Into the heart of contemporary shamanism.

author  Daniel pinchbeck  born June 15, 1966  He is the son of painter Peter Pinchbeck and writer Joyce Johnson.

protagonist  The protagonist is the author of the book as himself in the book.  He tells the tradition of the shaman people and their way of living, taking psychedelics to reach the spirit world, showing that hallucinogens are not as the society sees them. That there is more behind the curtain.

antagonist  Society itself as a whole could fill this part.  For the most part society sees hallucinogens as horrible substances that ruin families and lives all over the country.

Favorite character  My favorite character was Daniel Pinchbeck (author).  He is my favorite cause he really get the point of life as a shaman across.  He makes it seem as it is, a normal way to live your life.

Least favorite character (as a whole)  Hate to say it but the part of society that just cant understand the ways of other cultures.

Plot summary  Daniel pinchbeck, a writer goes around the globe and studies shaman tribes.  He ends up experiencing the rituals they have done for years by taking iboga plant, also known as ibogaine, a hallucinogen and dancing, and even connecting with the inner spirit.

Rising action  The rising action in the book would have to be when Daniel pinchbeck was practicing the ways of the shaman, he would take the psychedelic plant iboga and other fungi to actually experience the life of the shaman.

climax  This is when Daniel pinchbeck has gone through the iboga ritual and is cleansed of all evil.  He has connected with the other world and can see that this plant can do good.  He decides to spread this idea

Falling action  Daniel pinchbeck goes on tour and spreads the word of shamism and writes a book.

Resolution  Iboga or ibogaine is now used to cure and cleanse drug addicts of cocaine, meth, heroin, and other abused drugs

rating  I give this book an 8  I was really interesting but not everyone would appreciate this book as much as me. I would recommend it if you are open minded.

Theme  Culture  Tradition  Clensing

setting  West Africa, Mexico, and the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Mistaken as drug abuse  In the u.s. drug abuse has ruined families and seen as a bad thing. Sometimes people can even seen the psychedelic Iboga or hallucinogen mushrooms as a bad thing but the shaman use these for good.

From low to high  Drug addicts all over are asking for help and rehab seems to not be working! 80% of drug users who go to rehab will relapse within 1 year.  Now drug addicts are discovering iboga houses where they take the iboga plant and are cured within days.

Video & article  Video:  M M M  Article:  caylor.gaia.com/blog/2007/12/iboga_and_addic tion_resolution caylor.gaia.com/blog/2007/12/iboga_and_addic tion_resolution caylor.gaia.com/blog/2007/12/iboga_and_addic tion_resolution 

song  Stop the madness-1980’s  X3pIY4 X3pIY4 X3pIY4

poem A PLANT I didn't know a plant could save my life. A life of pain and addiction. A life of conviction. The plant has cleared my mind and body, My soul can rest and enjoy the little things agian. Iboga saved my life. -unknown

bibliography     nmazca.com/ /2007/12/plants-are-power-t... nmazca.com/ /2007/12/plants-are-power-t...  caylor.gaia.com/blog/2007/12/iboga_and_addiction_resolution caylor.gaia.com/blog/2007/12/iboga_and_addiction_resolution caylor.gaia.com/blog/2007/12/iboga_and_addiction_resolution     