In order to discuss psychedelics in the depth desired in this format, it is essential to introduce Terence McKenna and his thoughts and influence on the subject. This will be an ongoing element of this space but deserves a place at the front of the line.
Terence McKenna was a mathematician, who eventually immersed himself in the culture of psychedelic mushrooms. He proffered a theory that psychedelic mushrooms were potentially responsible for, or at least a major contributor to human consciousness. He spent the latter part of his life explaining through books and lectures his theory that if not for incidental ingestion of these mushrooms, humans would have never experienced esoteric thoughts and therefore advanced consciousness.
He believed that if it weren’t for the psychedelic experience over eons, human ancestors would have continued to see the world through the lens of food or flight. By incidentally eating mushrooms ancient human ancestors, over many generations, developed thoughts that were unrelated to mere survival. Thoughts that included things like humor and beauty.
By experiencing thoughts unrelated to mere survival, language evolved and so did the human brain to accommodate the new thinking. His theories are important in understanding the value of psychedelics as well as the potential cause of human consciousness and the overall human experience.
Can it be that what separates humans from the animals (Sorry Olympia Dukakis), our ability to think abstractly and outside of mere survival, be attributed to our ancestors tripping on mushrooms? The discussion should be advanced. Since Terence McKenna’s passing few have taken up the torch for this vital discussion, but we will, here at zenruption.