Some still see them as a threat to the social fabric. Others seek them as “allies” to combat various ailments, primarily psychological ones. Psychedelics are ambiguous substances, often judged through the prism of morality. But what are they really? What is their history and role? In this article, I’ve attempted to briefly outline the history of humanity and psychedelic substances. After reading it, you’ll certainly want to learn more. So, I invite you to read on!
What are psychedelics?
For the sake of clarity, it’s worth starting with a definition. Psychedelics are psychoactive substances that induce changes in consciousness, influencing thinking and the experience of emotions. These include both natural and synthetic psychedelics. The first group includes, among others:
- psilocybin(found in selected mushroom species),
- mescaline (found in selected succulents, including San Pedro cacti and peyote),
- ayahuasca (a decoction made from various plants that produces DMT – dimethyltryptamine).
Among synthetic psychedelics, the following stand out:
- LSD,
- MDMA,
- 2C-B.
Of course – synthetic psilocybin is also currently being obtained in laboratories, among other things, for research conducted on psychotherapy using it.
The Roots of Entheogens: From Ancient Rituals to Modern Research
When did humans first reach for psychedelic substances? We will likely never know. Archaeological finds to date indicate that this occurred at least 10,000 BCE. This is the date of the cave paintings in the Tasili Van Ahjar massif in Algeria. Researchers see the mushrooms painted on human silhouettes as members of the Psilocybe mairei species. This proves that the properties of members of the Psilocybe genus were well known even then.
Some researchers are putting forward a bold theory regarding human origins. We still lack information on how we differentiated ourselves from other primates, including chimpanzees. They believe the explanation is a “stoned monkey,” meaning that one of our common ancestors must have at some point started feeding on “magic mushrooms,” which influenced the subsequent structure and functioning of the brain.
What do we know for sure? That psychedelic substances were (and still are) widely used in primitive cultures. Psychedelics helped connect with spirits and gods. They were often used to overcome tribal traumas, but they also allowed one to seek the advice of their ancestors.
They were used not only by “primitive” cultures. Reports of the use of psychedelic substances also date back to Indo-Aryan scriptures. A substance called Soma was described in the Rigveda. In northern Mongolia, a tomb with a shroud was discovered, in which a Zoroastrian warrior held a mushroom assigned to the species Stropharia cubensis, containing—of course—psilocybin.
In other words, psychedelic substances, including mushrooms, have been used by various cultures for thousands of years. Today, they are the subject of various studies, primarily medical ones. It wasn’t without its complications, as discussed later in this article.
The Birth of the Psychedelic Revolution: From LSD to the Counterculture of the 1960s
Since around the mid-20th century, psychedelics have enjoyed enormous medical interest. Primarily, they were seen as a remedy for addiction, depression, schizophrenia, and other disorders. The top psychedelic substance of the time was LSD, synthesized in 1938 by Albert Hofmann. Although short-term studies did not yield the expected results, several years of studies had already shown that psychedelics could significantly improve the well-being of neurotic patients.
The altered states of consciousness they induced attracted the attention of not only scientists and doctors, but also representatives of the young milieu opposing the existing model of society – especially hierarchy and blind obedience. This was the period of the Cold War between the two empires and the Vietnam War. The trauma of World War II, as well as the fighting in Korea, and the newly triggered trauma of the Vietnamese jungle, affected Western society and gave rise to rebellion.
Psychedelics, in turn, at least according to the US authorities, were a key factor in this resistance. Hippies and pacifists, spreading their anti-war slogans and their music, which reached young citizens, posed a threat to the Western hemisphere. This led to the banning of psychedelic substances—first in the United States and later almost everywhere else in the world. Along with this, research on them was blocked for almost two decades.
From Shadow to Light: New Trends in the Research and Medicinal Use of Psychedelics
Recent years have been rich in numerous research studies, including those involving the use of psychedelics in psychotherapy, and their results are increasingly promising. Test results among people suffering from depression (including treatment-resistant depression), PTSD, addiction, and bipolar disorder show that these substances offer a potential solution to significant problems, which are becoming a global epidemic. It’s worth noting that psychedelics are also being researched in Poland, with the topic of using them as effective support in the treatment of various illnesses being raised more boldly. Will the stigma of narcotics be removed from them? It’s hard to say. Nevertheless, many people are deciding to “take matters into their own hands” and are also seeking therapists willing to conduct psychotherapy using these substances.