It was originally edited by Timothy White and published by the Cross-Cultural Shamanism Network (a nonprofit educational organization).

In order to consolidate contemporary and ancient shamanic methodologies, Shaman's Drum regularly examined traditional, non-traditional and contemporary forms of shamanism and methodology: ranging from Siberian ecstatic seances and Tibetan trance oracles to Amazonian ayahuasca rituals and Native American healing ceremonies.

The journal took the view that shamanism is a universal human phenomenon, or complex of phenomena, that ultimately transcends culture or tradition.

In 2011 its website announced that there were plans to continue via the Shaman's Drum Foundation, an on-line publication with associated electronic archives.

As of April 2019 there is a way to order some back issues of the Journal with future plans, "to maintain an archive of educational and historic shamanic material".