Fractals are geometric patterns that repeat themselves at different scales, with each iteration creating a self-similar pattern. In the context of plant medicine experiences, fractals can be perceived as visual representations of the interconnectedness of all things in the universe.
Many people who have taken plant medicines, such as ayahuasca or psilocybin, report seeing fractal patterns in their visual field. These patterns can be incredibly complex, colorful, and beautiful, and they often move and change in response to the user’s thoughts and emotions.
Some people believe that fractals are a direct representation of the divine intelligence that underlies all of creation. They see these patterns as a way of accessing deeper levels of consciousness and understanding the complex relationships between different parts of the universe.
Others see fractals as a way of breaking down the barriers between the self and the universe, allowing them to connect with the larger whole in a more profound way. By experiencing these patterns, they feel a sense of oneness with the world around them, which can be a deeply spiritual and transformative experience.
The significance of fractals in indigenous cultures and shamanic traditions
Fractals can be a powerful tool for deepening one’s spiritual understanding of God and the universe. They can help individuals to see the interconnectedness of all things and to feel a sense of oneness with the larger whole.
Indigenous people of the Amazon have a deep cultural and spiritual connection to the natural world and have been using plant medicines like ayahuasca for thousands of years as part of their traditional healing practices. In their worldview, everything in the universe is interconnected, and this interconnectedness is reflected in the patterns and shapes that can be seen in nature.
Fractals are recognized by some indigenous cultures in the Amazon as an important aspect of the natural world and are incorporated into their traditional artwork and cultural practices. Some indigenous shamans also describe fractals as a way of accessing the divine intelligence that underlies all of creation and as a means of communicating with the spirit world.
For example, to indigenous cultures from the Amazon, fractals are an important part of their intricate geometric designs, which are created through a process called “icaros.” Icaros are traditional songs that are sung during an ayahuasca ceremony and are believed to have healing powers. The intricate designs that the indigenous create are said to represent the visions and insights gained during ayahuasca journeys, and they are believed to have spiritual and healing properties.
In summary, indigenous people of the Amazon view fractals as a powerful symbol of the interconnectedness of all things in the natural world and incorporate them into their traditional cultural practices and artwork.
Neurological Effects of Ayahuasca
Research into the neurological effects of ayahuasca has shown that the experience of seeing fractal patterns during an ayahuasca journey is linked to changes in brain activity and connectivity.
One study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience used fMRI scans to study the brains of participants who had taken ayahuasca. The researchers found that ayahuasca increased activity in the visual cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for processing visual information. They also found that ayahuasca increased connectivity between different parts of the brain, particularly the default mode network, which is associated with self-reflection and introspection.
Fractal patterns are thought to arise from the complex interactions between neurons in the brain, particularly in the visual cortex. As the brain’s activity and connectivity changes during an ayahuasca journey, it is thought that these fractal patterns become more prominent and more easily perceived.
Some researchers have also proposed that the experience of seeing fractals during an ayahuasca journey may be linked to the brain’s natural tendency to seek out and find patterns in the world around us. This is known as “pattern recognition,” and it is thought to be an important cognitive process that helps us make sense of the complex and often chaotic stimuli that we encounter in our environment.
In summary, the scientific explanation of fractals in the brain during an ayahuasca journey is linked to changes in brain activity and connectivity, particularly in the visual cortex and the default mode network. The experience of seeing fractal patterns is thought to arise from the brain’s natural tendency to seek out and find patterns in the world around us, and it may reflect a deeper level of cognitive processing that occurs during an ayahuasca journey.
