
#081 - Manvir Singh: Shamanism, Psychedelics, and Our Shared Humanity
From Discovering Academia by Brent Valentine & Keller Kramer
May 15, 2025 · 1h 19m · Episode 83
About this episode
Professor Manvir Singh discusses the role of shamanism and psychedelics in human culture and traditions.
Why do humans everywhere tell stories, make music, and believe in the unseen? Professor Manvir Singh, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at UC Davis, dedicates his research to understanding why human societies around the world develop such recurring traditions – from shamanism and religion to music and legal systems. In this episode, join us on a journey through the heart of human culture as Professor Singh shares insights from his immersive fieldwork with the Mentawai people of Indonesia. We dive deep into his investigations into shamanism, exploring how these ancient practices help people create order out of chaos, and uncover the complex and significant role altered states of consciousness and psychedelics have played in human societies for millennia. Tune in to explore what makes these traditions stick and how these powerful experiences have profoundly shaped what it means to be human! For more information, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/manvir-singh This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only. Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the…
People in this episode
Hosts: Brent Valentine, Keller Kramer
Guest: Manvir Singh
Topics covered
- shamanism
- psychedelics
- human culture
- anthropology
- traditions
- altered states of consciousness
Keywords
- shamanism
- psychedelics
- humanity
- anthropology
- Mentawai
- Indonesia
- traditions
- altered states
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: UC Davis
Places: Mentawai, Indonesia
More episodes of Discovering Academia
- #088 - Marion Nestle: Food Politics, Industry Influence, and the Fight for Public Health · June 4, 2026 · 47 min
- #087 - Robert Langer: Inventing the Future of Medicine · April 29, 2026 · 37 min
- #086 - Richard Miller: There Is No "Mechanism" of Aging · November 25, 2025 · 1h 15m
- #085 - Steven Austad: Riding Lions and Unlocking the Secrets of Aging · November 6, 2025 · 1h 9m
- #084 - Ying Lu: How Cells Recycle Protein and Prevent Alzheimer's · October 28, 2025 · 58 min
- #083 - Homa Bahrami: Super-Flexibility, Agile Organizations, & The Evolution of Silicon Valley · May 30, 2025 · 1h 6m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Discovering Academia podcast page.