Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism is a book written by American writer Daniel Pinchbeck, founding editor of the literary journal Open City. Published in 2002, Breaking Open the Head covers, in Pinchbeck's words, the cultural history of psychedelic use, philosophical and critical perspectives on shamanism, and his personal transformation from a cynical New York litterateur to psychedelic acolyte.

Pinchbeck details his initiation with the Bwiti and their use of iboga. The account remains personal with Pinchbeck crediting the experience with an insight into his reliance on alcohol.

Breaking Open the Head

See also

List of psychedelic literature

Dimethyltryptamine

Ibogaine

Psilocybin

References

External links

Official site - complements book and offers public discussion forums.

Breaking Open the Head

2002 non-fiction books

Ayahuasca

Books about spirituality

Entheogens

Iboga

Psychedelic literature

Shamanism

Broadway Books books

Breaking Open the Head