Does Shamanic Healing Work? THE TRUTH And Personal Experiences

Shamanic healing is one of the oldest forms of spiritual and energetic medicine on Earth. Rooted in indigenous traditions from every continent, it seeks to restore harmony by addressing imbalances at the soul and energy level. But in the modern world—dominated by science, medicine, and skepticism—many ask the inevitable question: Does shamanic healing actually work?

This article explores that question from multiple angles: historical evidence, scientific studies, psychological perspectives, and personal testimonials. While shamanic healing doesn’t fit neatly into the box of Western medicine, growing interest in holistic approaches is leading more people to explore—and benefit from—this ancient practice.

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What Is Shamanic Healing?

Shamanic healing refers to a group of spiritual practices used by shamans—individuals who enter altered states of consciousness to interact with the spirit world for healing and guidance. Common techniques include:

• Soul retrieval: Restoring parts of the soul lost due to trauma.

• Energy extraction: Removing intrusive energies or spiritual blockages.

• Power animal retrieval: Reconnecting individuals with spiritual allies.

• Spirit communication: Receiving insight from ancestors, guides, or nature spirits.

• Rituals and ceremonies: Performed to cleanse, bless, or protect.

These practices aim to treat the root causes of physical, emotional, or spiritual suffering—something Western medicine often overlooks.

Historical and Cultural Context

Shamanic traditions have been practiced for tens of thousands of years in regions including:

• Siberia (the origin of the word “shaman”),

• Amazonian tribes using ayahuasca for vision quests,

• North American Indigenous cultures using sweat lodges and drum journeys,

• African tribes with ancestral and plant-based healing,

• Aboriginal Australians using Dreamtime and spirit songs.

Despite being culturally diverse, these traditions share common themes: belief in unseen energies, spirit allies, and the importance of harmony between self, community, nature, and spirit.

Scientific Studies: What the Research Says

Mainstream science has traditionally been skeptical of shamanic healing, largely because it doesn’t conform to the scientific method or produce consistent, measurable outcomes. However, several studies and academic reviews are starting to validate certain aspects:

1. Psychological Benefits

A 2007 study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs found that participants who underwent shamanic healing reported improved psychological well-being, emotional clarity, and a sense of empowerment. These results mirror those from other forms of psychospiritual therapy.

2. Neuroscience of Trance States

Brain scans of shamans in altered states (using drumming or plant medicine) show activity in the default mode network (DMN)—a brain region associated with self-awareness, memory, and introspection. This is the same region affected by deep meditation and psychedelic therapy, both of which have been shown to relieve trauma and depression.

3. Energy Medicine Research

While energy fields (like chakras or auras) are hard to measure scientifically, studies in biofield science—a new interdisciplinary field—have shown promising results. A 2015 review published in Global Advances in Health and Medicine reported that subtle energy therapies (including Reiki, Qigong, and similar modalities) showed statistically significant improvements in pain and anxiety.

Conclusion: While shamanic healing cannot be “proven” the way pharmaceuticals are, growing evidence suggests it offers real psychological, emotional, and energetic benefits—especially for those open to it.

The Role of Belief and Expectation

Skeptics often dismiss shamanic healing as a placebo, but even the placebo effect itself is a powerful healing mechanism. Studies have shown that belief can activate the brain’s internal pharmacy, releasing endorphins, reducing inflammation, and altering perception of pain.

In shamanic healing, belief plays a central role:

• The patient enters the session with ritual, intention, and trust.

• The shaman serves as a symbolic bridge to the spirit world.

• The mind-body connection is amplified through ceremony, sound, and altered states.

This doesn’t make it “fake.” It simply illustrates how the mind is an active agent in healing, and shamanic practices leverage that consciously and powerfully.

Personal Accounts: What People Say

Thousands of people across cultures have experienced life-changing effects from shamanic healing. Here are some common themes reported in testimonials and personal narratives:

• Emotional breakthroughs after years of therapy or stagnation.

• Relief from chronic pain or illness after conventional treatments failed.

• Reconnection with purpose, spirit, or inner peace.

• Clarity after trauma, grief, or major life transitions.

While personal experiences can’t replace scientific data, they offer qualitative insight into how and why shamanic healing works for many.

Critics and Controversy

Shamanic healing is not without its critics. Common criticisms include:

• Lack of measurable evidence.

• Cultural appropriation, especially in New Age practices.

• Unregulated practitioners—anyone can claim to be a shaman.

• Exploitation: Charging large sums for ceremonies or retreats.

These are valid concerns. It’s crucial to approach shamanic healing with discernment, cultural respect, and personal responsibility.

Tip: If you’re considering a session, look for a practitioner with integrity, training, and good references. Avoid anyone making extreme claims or guaranteeing cures.

Shamanic Healing vs. Modern Medicine

It's important to understand that shamanic healing is not a replacement for conventional medical care. Instead, it can be a complementary modality, especially in areas like:

• Trauma recovery

• Grief and loss

• Stress and anxiety

• Spiritual disconnection

• Chronic illness with no clear diagnosis

For many, the combination of Western medicine and spiritual healing offers a holistic path that honors both body and spirit.

Why It “Works” for Some People—and Not Others

Several factors influence whether someone finds benefit in shamanic healing:

1. Openness and Belief

Those open to non-material explanations of illness or life challenges often experience more noticeable shifts.

2. Readiness for Change

Healing often involves confronting suppressed emotions, trauma, or identity patterns. If someone isn’t ready, the healing may not integrate.

3. Quality of the Practitioner

A skilled, ethical, and experienced shaman can create a much more powerful and safe experience than someone who lacks proper training.

4. Follow-Up and Integration

Just like any therapy, the results depend on what you do afterward. Journaling, meditation, rest, and lifestyle changes can make the difference between temporary relief and lasting transformation.

What Modern Practitioners Say

Contemporary shamans and energy healers say that shamanic healing:

• Restores energetic balance.

• Clears spiritual blockages.

• Heals trauma at the soul level.

• Awakens intuition and connection to the natural world.

Many are trained not only in traditional practices but also in psychology, coaching, or complementary therapies—bridging ancient and modern wisdom.

Final Verdict: Does It Work?

Yes—and no. Shamanic healing works for many people, but not in a one-size-fits-all way. It doesn't “cure” disease in the conventional sense, but it can spark deep emotional, spiritual, and psychological healing.

If you’re looking for:

• A deeper understanding of your life challenges,

• Relief from emotional or energetic heaviness,

• A way to reconnect with spirit, purpose, or nature…

Then shamanic healing may offer powerful support.

But if you expect a magic cure, without engaging in your own healing journey, you might be disappointed. Shamanic healing opens a door—but you still have to walk through it.

Final Thoughts

Shamanic healing is a spiritual technology with roots in ancient cultures and a growing place in modern holistic wellness. Whether you see it as energy medicine, symbolic ritual, or soulful therapy, it offers something deeply human: a way to heal not just the body, but the spirit.

While science may not fully validate it yet, the experience of countless individuals says otherwise. And in an age where many feel spiritually disconnected, emotionally overwhelmed, and energetically depleted, perhaps it's not about whether shamanic healing works by scientific standards—but whether it works for you.

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Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.