Scientific Breakthrough: How Ayahuasca Led Bruce Damer to a Major Discovery

Can a profound, altered state of consciousness unlock the secrets of life's origins? In this episode of the Harvest Series, Rose Claverie interviews Dr. Bruce Damer, a leading mind in virtual worlds and astrobiology, who reveals his groundbreaking theory on how life began. Though his revelation caused a stir, Bruce kept the mystical experience that inspired it, an Ayahuasca journey, quietly under wraps. Dive into this fascinating discussion on the implications of his discoveries and the unconventional path that led him to them.

[3:05] Bruce helps explain his discovery about the origins of life to my 9- and 12-year-old children.

[9:00] What is life, fundamentally?

[11:00] The philosophical impact of Bruce’s discovery: life’s ancestor is a community, not an individual.

[19:19] Bruce discusses his journey with psychedelics, his adopted childhood, and how ayahuasca brought healing and clarity to his internal suffering.

[24:40] He shares a powerful ayahuasca vision that unlocked his scientific breakthrough three months later during breathwork.

[33:00] Bruce recalls a childhood moment of radical connection.

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Sound editing by @lesbellesfrequences

Technicians in Kaplankaya : Joel Moriasi, Hanan Yasir and team

Music by Chambord

Artwork : Davide d'Antonio

Harvest Series is produced in partnership with Athena Advisers and Capital Partners

The founders of Harvest Series are Burak Öymen and Roman Carel.