Psychedelic drugs affect more then creativity, they are also known to have the ability to increase the users sense of spirituality and religion. In the academic journal, “Voice of The Psychonauts,” author Levente Moro explores the correlation between spirituality, and psychedelic drug use. He claims that when psychedelic drugs are taken in a “supportive” environment they have the ability to induce “deeply meaningful religious revelations and spiritual awakenings” (Moro et al. 190). Psychedelic drug use in hopes of spiritual revelations is not new, and has actually been going on for hundreds of years. The Native American Church has been known to traditionally use psychedelic drugs for spiritual experiences (Moro et al. 190). Some Mexican tribes are also known to ingest psilocybin mushrooms in order to induce religious awakenings (Moro et al. 190). To further prove his argument, Levente Moro conducted an online survey amongst 667 random people. His results suggested that people still take psychedelic drugs in order to have religious experiences, even though it is looked down upon in certain religious groups (Moro et al. 195). Levente Moro is not the only one interested in psychedelic drugs and religion. Many other scientists have also examined this theory. In the article, “Values and Beliefs of Psychedelic Drug Users,” author Michael Lerner also discusses the relationship between psychedelic drug use and spirituality. Lerner also believes that when psychedelic drugs are taken with the correct mindset, they have the ability to increase ones sense of religion. In order to test his theory, Michael Lerner had 183 volunteers fill out a questionnaire. Even though he conducted the survey amongst people from all over the world...
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...Lerner, Michael. "Values And Beliefs Of Psychedelic Drug Users: A Cross-Cultural Study." Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs 38.2 (2006): 143-147. Academic Search Premier. Web. 13 May 2014
Lyvers, Michael, and Meester, Molly. "Illicit Use Of LSD Or Psilocybin, But Not MDMA Or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, Is Associated With Mystical Experiences In A Dose-Dependent Manner." Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs 44.5 (2012): 410-417. Academic Search Premier. Web. 13 May 2014.
Móró, Levente, et al. "Voice Of The Psychonauts: Coping, Life Purpose, And Spirituality In Psychedelic Drug Users." Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs 43.3 (2011): 188- 198. Academic Search Premier. Web. 13 May 2014.
Sessa, B. "Is It Time to Revisit the Role of Psychedelic Drugs in Enhancing Human Creativity?" Journal of Psychopharmacology 22.8 (2008): 821-27. Print.
Psychedelic drugs were an icon of the 1960s, its role embedded within the rising counterculture in response to the economic, social, and political turmoil throughout the United States. As a means to impose a central power and control social order, federal authorities were quick to ban the recreational and medical use of psychedelic drugs without consideration of its potential benefits. The recent state laws on the legalization of marijuana in Oregon and Colorado with others soon to follow, is a sure sign of an eventual collective shift in the perceptions of psychedelic drugs. Not only does Daniel Pinchbeck document his reflections on the personal consumption of psychedelic drugs in his unconventional novel Breaking Open the Head, he also advances several assertions on modern Western society in his exploration of polarized attitudes on this controversial topic.
Psilocybin Mushrooms or more commonly referred to as "Shrooms, Magic Mushrooms etc" have been used by many different cultures in varies ways. The early Mesoamericans used them for communion in religious and healing ceremonies. During the era of The Hippie Movement people experimented with Psilocybin for recreation and experience vivid "trips". Some today believe that the mysterious "Manna" that was spoken of in the Old Testament or the "Tree of Knowledge" was infact this particular fungus. Regardless of all this Psilocybin, this natural compound has a interesting effect on the human brain.
Native Americans are probably the people most known for their use of psychedelic drugs. Being a very religious people, their entire society revolved around the spirit world, and some believed that access to this world was possible by eating certain plants that were abundant in their surroundings. In what are now Mexico and the Southwestern United States, tribes familiarized themselves with mescaline, the active ingredient in the peyote cactus. Another drug that was used by tribes in these and many other areas was psilocybin, the active hallucinogenic ingredient of the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana and other psilocybe and conocybe species that grow on the pacific coast of North, South, and Central America. Ritual use of psilocybin and mesca...
The frequently used maxim for psychedelics, “use in a good place at a good time with good people,” is an example of this. Two rituals that are in harmony with the maxim are the selection of a pleasant rural setting for psychedelic use and the timing of use to avoid driving while ‘tripping.’ Informal sanctions, which are followed by both small and large groups of users, indicate the appropriate time, place and way in which a drug is taken and can also provide the users with a safe environment. Some users refuse to learn how to do things such inject on their own and only let a trusted person or group of people inject them in an effort to restrict drug use. Jean-Paul Grund uses an interview based experiment in “Rituals of Regulation” (Grund, 1993) to demonstrate the symbolic dimension of frontloading; meaning through sharing drugs, the bonds between the users are strengthened, increasing the caution taken to make sure themselves and their friends are all free of harm due to
In his book Breaking Open the Mind, author Daniel Pinchbeck takes readers on his journey of experience with the chemical Dimethytriptamine, also known as DMT. He says, “DMT land was an interweave of tantric mandalas, virtual reality fantasias, stained glass aureolae; a ten-dimensional Walt Disney World projected into some far-fetched and far flung future”. This psychedelic is popularly known for its powerful hallucinogenic properties and vivid, lifelike experiences. While possession and consumption of DMT is illegal in the US, other communities and societies, such as the Shamans, use DMT for cultural uses. The study and potency of its properties leave us wondering whether or not DMT allows our minds access to planes and existences beyond our own.
Psychedelics have always been a controversial subject in the world of drugs because they have the ability to alter one’s perception of reality. L.S.D, MDMA, and psilocybin are three of the main types of psychedelics on the drug market, all three of which are listed as schedule 1 by the DEA. A schedule 1 drug is considered to have a high addiction risk, has no medical value whatsoever, and is illegal to have in your possession. A schedule 2 drug is considered to have the potential for both medical purposes, and abuse. A schedule 3 drug is considered safe for medical use and can only be prescribed by a doctor. I however, believe that psychedelics should be reconsidered for at least schedule 2 as studies have shown an increase in the use of psychedelics in psychotherapy and can even help the terminally ill come to terms with their own deaths.
While hallucinogenic drugs have been used for centuries, it was not until the discovery by Western society of their mind-altering properties (Hofmann 1959; Stoll 1947; Delgado, Pedro L; Moreno, Francisco A) that these compounds began to be more widely used for treatment of mental disorders (see Abraham, Aldridge & Gogia 1996; Strassman 1995; Neill 1987; McGlothlin & Arnold 1971; Freedman 1968; Delgado, Pedro L; Moreno, Francisco A). Hallucinates are derived from plants or the fungus that grows on plants, the first recorded hallucination was a tossup between mental issues that were then used for a political push or the ergotamine during the Salem witch trails in 1962, far after that Albert Hofmann became the creator of LSD from ergotamine a chemical from the fungus ergot, in Switzerland 1938. From that time LSD has played a part in history, studies have shown that much has changed in the half-century since LSD was first used by psychiatrists and then found widespread recreational use in the 1960's and 70's. Modern psychiatry has embraced drugs that affect the same brain molecules that are tweaked by hallucinogens (Blakeslee,
"Psychedelic 60s: Illicit Drugs." University of Virginia Library. Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. Web. 14 Mar. 2010. .
“Key events in the history of psychedelic therapy(sidebar).” Issues and controversies. Facts on file news services, (11 July 2011). Web.19 Feb.2014.
Erika Dyck Psychedelic Psychiatry: LSD on the Canadian Prairies (Winnipeg: The University of Manitoba Press, 2012).
Hallucinogens are a group of drugs that can alter perception, feelings, and thoughts. They have been used by people for over centuries, mostly in religious rituals. Hallucinogens can cause images, sensations, or hallucinations that may seem real, though they are not.
The psychedelic drug has impacted the society greatly since the 1960’s to this day. LSD has been made an illegal drug that can only be obtained through drug trafficking on the streets. This can deeply affect single family neighbourhoods where dealing can take place in front of families and possibly young children and teens. This can cause the residents of the neighbourhood to become introverted and start drug use at a young age and think that it’s “ok” to use LSD when it is strictly an illegal drug. When communities have large numbers of LSD users, it is certain that some users will experience “bad trips.” These dangerous trips can make people violent, and make the neighbourhood extremely unsafe and hazardous disturbing residents in ways that can harm users and other individuals. In districts where LSD addiction is excessive, many types of accidents are possible and those users who wish to drive under the influence may hit young children, dogs, residents and, other animals. Many users do not know the consequences for using the drug and producing the drug. LSD is a schedule number 1 controlled substance under the controlled substances act (CSA) Meaning, the federal government believes that LSD has a high abuse potential and a lack of accepted safe us when under medical supervision. The federal penalty for the offense of LSD
Psychedelics have garnered a rather negative stigma in the past decades due to their widespread use in the 70s and the resulting war on drugs. The DEA, having designated most psychedelics as Schedule I drugs, sent the implicit message that psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin mushrooms and ayahuasca are dangerous substances with no beneficial uses. This paper confronts that notion and claims that psychedelics do a have a proper role to play in human spirituality and religious experience. Psychedelics can play an integral role in helping people find meaning in their lives through therapeutic and mystical experience. The terms “mystical” and “meaning” are vague, but we can define them as follows. Mystical experiences are rare moments of self transcendence
The research emphasizes the tension in the fields of psychiatry and psychotherapy between those who are in favor of using Ecstasy as a therapeutic drug, and those who are concerned about the drug’s damaging effects. In addition, the purpose of this research was to define the impact of Ecstasy on brain function. In fact, it argues that Ecstasy usage is associated with a chronic change in brain function. FMRI was used to examine brain activation during visual stimulation, in young Ecstasy user ages 18-35, and in subjects who had not previously used Ecstasy. Ecstasy users were found to have an increased brain activation in three brain areas associated with visual processing. Also, they presented loss
In my opinion, I do not believe it’s a good idea for psychedelic drugs to be legal in any church. To me, this creates more harm than good. There is a lot of controversy, problems and speculation to any type of drug. I could not imagine the factors or problems associated with the church if psychedelics are legal for religious purposes. However, I am in support of drugs that are used and only used for medical purposes. For instance, some who has cancer or a psychological disorder, if certain drugs on the market help someone for a medical condition then absolutely, yes, I am support and all for it. What I am against are people who abuse drugs to begin with. Especially, those who individuals who have no medical condition whatsoever and should