From: officialflagrant
Psychedelics, substances capable of inducing altered states of consciousness, have a complex and often misunderstood history. While modern society has largely demonized them, their role in ancient cultures and potential for human development is a topic of ongoing exploration [01:31:33].
Historical Use and Cultural Views
In contrast to the contemporary “War on Drugs” era, many ancient societies were deeply involved with psychedelics [01:31:57].
Ancient Mysteries and Wisdom
- Eleusinian Mysteries (Ancient Greece): At the Temple of Eleusis, initiates, including prominent figures like Sophocles and Plato, were given a brew called “Kykeon” [01:32:00]. This concoction, derived from ergot on barley, was essentially a form of LSD that led to “extraordinary experiences” and “revelations about the nature of reality” [01:32:10]. Participants often ceased to fear death, understanding it was not the end [01:32:34].
- The Pineal Gland and the Third Eye: The pineal gland, often depicted as a pine cone in ancient art (e.g., at the Vatican or Mesopotamian reliefs), is associated with the “third eye” and was once a light-sensitive organ in some amphibians [01:34:40]. It is linked to the body’s natural production of dimethy tryptamine (DMT), a natural brain hormone [01:34:03].
- Shamanism and Ancestral Knowledge: Psychedelics are considered fundamental to shamanistic cultures, enabling deep spiritual experiences [02:45:48]. The “Stoned Ape Hypothesis” proposes that psychedelics may have been the trigger for a surge in human creativity and put ancestors on the path to modern humanity [01:36:15].
- Cave Art: The stunning cave art found globally, such as at Sania del Lindosa in Colombia or Lascaux in France, exhibits geometric patterns, swirling dots, and zigzag lines characteristic of psychedelic visions [01:38:14]. It’s theorized that this art documents experiences in deeply altered states of consciousness, possibly even by Neanderthals, suggesting they might have taught early Homo sapiens how to paint [02:46:16]. Shamans often experience transforming into animal spirits, which explains the animal imagery in these artworks [02:49:24].
Modern Discoveries and Intellectual Leaps
Psychedelics have reportedly inspired significant scientific and technological advancements:
- Kary Mullis: The inventor of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, crucial for DNA work, openly admitted he would not have made the discovery without taking LSD [01:43:56].
- Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak: It’s claimed that the Apple computer would not have been invented without LSD [01:51:00].
- Francis Crick: The co-discoverer of the double helix form of DNA, a regular LSD user in the 1950s and 60s, suggested he gained insight into the double helix form under its influence [01:51:39].
Personal Experiences with Psychedelics
Graham Hancock shares his own experiences with various psychedelics, highlighting their transformative potential:
Ayahuasca
Known as the “vine of the dead” or “vine of souls,” Ayahuasca is a powerful plant medicine [01:58:38].
- Entity Encounters: Hancock has felt the presence of an entity he calls “Mother Ayahuasca,” who sometimes takes the form of an enormous serpent wrapped around his body, conveying feelings of comfort and messages about self-love [00:54:53].
- Telepathy and Psychic Vampires: In group settings, Ayahuasca can facilitate telepathic communication [02:08:52]. Hancock describes a challenging experience where an individual in the group attempted to psychically draw energy, leading to a physical manifestation of illness (shingles) in his wife [02:09:24]. This highlights the importance of responsible facilitation and the dangers of vulnerability in altered states [02:12:50].
- Novel Inspiration: Ayahuasca sessions inspired Hancock to write a novel, Entangled, providing him with the entire plot, characters, and setting, tapping into a previously unknown creative part of himself [01:51:53].
DMT (NN-DMT and 5-MeO-DMT)
DMT frequently produces entity encounters, sometimes described as “machine elves” or “theanthropic” beings (part human, part animal) [01:42:59].
- 5-MeO-DMT Experience: Hancock recently had a “beautiful” experience with synthetic 5-MeO-DMT, after taking MDMA to ease into it [01:44:56]. The experience focused on self-reflection, particularly his anger issues and the need to honor and love his wife [01:46:27]. While he attempted to use it for migraine relief, the focus returned to personal relationships, suggesting the medicine prioritized addressing internal “baggage” [01:47:30].
- Extended Release DMT Studies: Current scientific studies, such as those at Imperial College London and in Colorado, are exploring extended-release DMT (dmtX), where volunteers report meeting essentially the same playful, trickster entities that convey knowledge and act as moral teachers [01:41:33]. These entities make individuals confront their personal baggage [01:42:40].
- Consciousness as a Receiver: Psychedelics suggest that the brain may act as a receiver for consciousness rather than its sole manufacturer, opening access to dimensions of reality normally closed to us [01:39:47].
Ibogaine
Ibogaine is another plant that enables people to “see the dead” [01:58:40]. Hancock describes a personal experience meeting his recently deceased father, which helped him overcome the haunting feeling of not being at his father’s deathbed [01:59:03]. This experience, along with others, has led him to lose his fear of death [01:59:36].
Cannabis
Hancock describes using cannabis (vaping) to relieve the “physical boredom” of writing and to “loosen up connections” in his mind [02:31:06]. He emphasizes that its effects vary among individuals [02:31:13].
Holotropic Breathwork
This technique can induce an altered state of consciousness through breathing, demonstrating that nature offers many ways to achieve such states [02:40:48]. While Hancock finds it challenging, he acknowledges its potential benefits, including emotional release [02:40:33].
Societal Implications and Future
Hancock advocates for a radical shift in society’s approach to psychedelics.
Criticisms of the War on Drugs
The “War on Drugs” is seen as a “horrific, vicious, evil thing” that has demonized psychedelics with “lies and complete dishonesty” [01:31:38]. It criminalizes internal experiences that cause no harm to others, creating a black market with dangerous substances like fentanyl [02:27:26].
Arguments for Legalization and Responsible Use
- Legalization: Hancock strongly advocates for legalizing all psychedelics for adults, arguing that this would reduce irresponsible use driven by the illegal regime [02:33:04]. He suggests an age limit of 21, comparing it to other adult freedoms [02:28:06].
- Wise Advice: He believes that informed guidance, similar to the decline in tobacco use due to public health education, would be more effective than criminalization [02:29:28].
- Therapeutic Potential: Psychedelics are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential in addressing depression by breaking rigid thought patterns and promoting neuroplasticity (growth of new neurons) [01:35:47]. They can also help reduce anxiety about death for terminal patients, and potentially foster empathy and reduce prejudices, as shown by a white supremacist’s moral revelation on a high-dose MDMA trial [02:32:23].
- Learning from Indigenous Cultures: Western society should learn from indigenous cultures that have used psychedelics responsibly for thousands of years, emphasizing intentions and the role of experienced facilitators (shamans or sitters) to navigate powerful experiences [02:57:58].
- Political Implications: Hancock provocatively suggests that leaders of every country should be required to undergo Ayahuasca sessions, believing it could transform society by fostering love, confidence, and hope instead of hatred and fear [02:34:15].
Avoiding Control by “Experts”
Hancock is wary of a system where psychedelics are only accessible through therapeutic settings, as it could empower “experts” to control individual experiences [02:38:49]. He believes in individual sovereignty over one’s consciousness [02:39:00].
Connections to Other Phenomena
Psychedelic experiences often lead to encounters interpreted through various cultural lenses [02:42:32]. What are now perceived as alien encounters share striking similarities with historical accounts of abductions by fairies or spirits, and shamanistic encounters [02:42:15]. The experiences include telepathic communication, sexual encounters, and even the “production” of hybrid children [02:43:40]. These observations suggest a common underlying phenomenon interpreted differently across time and culture.