Psychedelics have had a partnership with humans since the very beginning. They have appeared, disappeared, and returned across many societies throughout time. From cave art to modern psychedelic literature, humanity has always had these friends. Even through stigma and suppression, they have still made a return. It all starts with the naturally occurring psychedelics in our world that birthed these relationships with humans. Let’s talk about these natural medicines and how they came to form relationships with humans in the first place by looking at how they changed us, how we suppressed them, and how after everything they still came back to us.
An Old Friend of Humans
Psychedelics are no stranger to humanity. Since the dawn of Neolithic societies, naturally occurring psychedelics have been worshipped, used in spiritual practices, and applied as medicines. Cave art and ancient stories tell us that psychedelics contributed greatly to these ancient societies. From Africa and the Middle East to South America and central regions of Mexico; psychedelics have been used by the indigenous peoples and cultures of the regions in some way or another. Magic mushrooms and ayahuasca were some of the first and more notable substances to form significant relationships with humans. They have such a deep meaning to us that even in the illegal status of these substances today they are still legally used by indigenous peoples in spiritual ceremonies and practices.
Magic Mushrooms
Magic mushrooms have had a profound impact on humanity’s progression. These fungi are one of the most common psychedelics out there. They exist in many species found across the globe. Their widespread presence led to use by Mesoamerican civilizations and Neolithic societies in Africa alike. Psilocybin mushrooms have made a statement. These societies from around the globe all have stories and art celebrating these medicines. These paintings illustrate the spiritual and revered feelings these people had for them. Magic mushrooms have become incredibly powerful tools for growth and have been for centuries. The respect ancient people have held for them remind us how they should be approached today. They have been with us since our very roots and remain unchanged, yet still as profound as when the first human encountered their power.
DMT and Ayahuasca
The story of DMT is an interesting one. Although DMT on its own was only first isolated in the last century, its use stretches much further back through its presence in other natural forms. Ayahuasca is the most notable utilization of DMT by ancient humans. In South America, indigenous cultures created this brew of plants as a powerful spiritual tool. The brew is still consumed in modern society. Just like magic mushrooms, ayahuasca has stood the test of time and remains an incredible tool for healing and spiritual growth for modern and ancient humans alike. From psychedelic retreats to the indigenous tribes still around today, ayahuasca has become more accessible than ever before. But the last 2 compounds we have discussed are not the only ones humans have explored.
Mescaline and Other Honorable Mentions
Another well-known natural psychedelic is mescaline, a psychoactive compound found in cacti like Peyote and Peruvian Torch. These cacti have been used by Native Mesoamerican and South American cultures for centuries. Mescaline has long been used for spiritual and ceremonial purposes, and its traditions continue today. Although illegal in most contexts, these compounds are still used legally by indigenous cultures for their central role in their spiritual practice.
Other than mescaline, there are a handful of other naturally occurring psychedelics. From LSA in Hawaiian Baby Woodrose to Salvia divinorum, the list of natural psychedelics is long. All of them were used at some point in time and are being rediscovered today. The effects vary from compound to compound, some more promising or pleasant than others, but one thing is certain. Psychedelics have had an active role in how humans have developed over the course of our existence. While the exact extent of their influence is uncertain, it would be irrational to believe they played no part in who we are today.
Suppression and Resurgence
After centuries of use, these compounds became suppressed not long after their rediscovery in the 50s and 60s. Hippie and peace movements sparked the War on Drugs, which banned these substances and stigmatized their users. This suppression led to a rather dark age where not much research or experimentation with these compounds could be done. Now, in the 21st century, psychedelics are experiencing a renaissance, allowing renewed research into their potential. Although we have made major breakthroughs, there is still so much to learn and rediscover from what used to be known centuries ago. Yet what we rediscover today is not necessarily new, many of these mysteries were already understood by the cultures that first discovered them centuries ago.
These medicines are powerful tools, and if you have any curiosity to experience them yourself we can help you. Hallucinogenics proudly supports the respectful and intentional use of psychedelics in the modern world. You can view what we can offer you here.
The Meaning of Them
Psychedelics have had a deep partnership with humanity since the very beginning. Ancient spiritual practices have stood the test of time and all the new discoveries being made in the modern era have allowed us to reignite our relationship with these substances. These medicines have made a resurgence in modern times that almost feels destined. We’ve relied on these tools for too long to abandon them now. We must keep powering through the stigma and seek the truth and mystery that these compounds hold. The world as we know it has always had a pinch of psychedelic lying around, and it seems that will never change. These compounds have accompanied us in silence as our species evolved from mere apes to conscious humans we are today. Our discovery of them is nothing new as they are as familiar to us as we are to them. “To fathom hell or soar angelic, just take a pinch of psychedelic.” —Humphry Osmond.
