Josep Maria Fericgla is an anthropologist born in Barcelona who has dedicated his life to the study of expanded states of consciousness, shamanism, and spirituality. Throughout his life, he has created new working methodologies for expanding the mind, such as holorenic breathing, published several books and articles on ayahuasca and other topics, and founded Can Benet, a spiritual retreat located in the Montnegre Natural Park in Barcelona. Here, various workshops and experiences dedicated to expanding consciousness are held, and in 2025, Clínica Synaptica had the opportunity to conduct training on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy at this center. After this wonderful experience, Fericgla agreed to do this interview with us.
We begin with the story of his key moment at age 15, during which he experienced his first state of expanded consciousness. Since then, he has dedicated his life to studying, understanding, and replicating that experience, both for personal growth and to be able to share these moments with others. This has led him to study other cultures and worldviews, recounting his experiences with the Shuar community, his learnings through ayahuasca, and the challenges he faced with dedication and patience.
This interview shares the unique and important vision of Josep Maria Fericgla, who has over 40 years of experience creating these unique spaces for researching expanded states of consciousness. We explore his perspective on the importance of this connection with the spiritual and transcendent, and how its absence has led to a pathological society. We also hear how his use of ketamine has helped in this exploration, and the importance of understanding how to integrate and deepen these experiences so that they leave a lasting mark.
