Flesh of the gods : the ritual use of hallucinogens

Any social phenomenon that achieves a certain significance warrants systematic and dispassionate scientific inquiry, in the hope that we may understand its norms or laws, if any, minimize its potential hazards for individuals and society, and maximize its potential benefits. The use, or abuse, of drugs is clearly such a phenomenon, and it is not too much to say that especially now, in the midst of yet one more "War on Drugs," we need far more and better information on which to base private attitudes and public policies that can have the most profound consequences, not just for individuals and the larger society, but those very Constitutional liberties that have made us the envy of peoples all over the world. As someone said recently, what if we wake up one morning and drugs are still with us but the Constitution is gone? Estimates of people on illegal drugs in this country vary depending on the way these things are counted, or the agenda of those who do the counting But there is no doubt that apart from alcohol or tobacco, which many people still refuse to acknowledge as drugs,\* millions of Americans employ some more or less dangerous illegal substances on a regular basis, whether to escape from unbearable economic, social and psychological conditions, the pressures of competition and success, or lack thereof, or for less compelling reasons, but in any event in disregard of legal or physical consequences. "For centuries, hallucinogens have been of great significance in the ideology and religious practices of primitive societies. In fact, the use of psychotropic plants to achieve states of religious ecstasy goes back almost to the beginning of human culture. Furthermore, the content of the psychedelic experience in the West today has been found to be similar to that of the religious pilgrimages of Oriental and aboriginal New World groups. But one fundamental difference overshadows all similarities: In the traditional cultures described in this collection of ten essays, the hallucinogenic "trip" is a means to an end--a quest for confirmation of traditional values, for unity with the tribal ancestors. In contemporary Western society, by contrast, it tends to be an end in itself and a rejection of the society's values--perhaps, it has been suggested, because Western drug-users tend to be a-cultural. Clearly, we have much to learn from an objective study of societies with long histories of sanctioned, and controlled, drug use to achieve recognized cultural objectives."

for Centuries, Hallucinogens Have Been Of Great Significance In The Ideology And Religious Practices Of Primitive Societies. In Fact, The Use Of Psychotropic Plants To Achieve States Of Religious Ecstasy Goes Back Almost To The Beginning Of Human Culture. Furthermore, The Content Of The Psychedelic Experience In The West Today Has Been Found To Be Similar To That Of The Religious Pilgrimages Of Oriental And Aboriginal New World Groups. But One Fundamental Difference Overshadows All Similarities: In The Traditional Cultures Described In This Collection Of Ten Essays, The Hallucinogenic Trip Is A Means To An End A Quest For Confirmation Of Traditional Values, For Unity With The Tribal Ancestors. In Contemporary Western Society, By Contrast, It Tends To Be An End In Itself And A Rejection Of The Society S Values Perhaps, It Has Been Suggested, Because Western Drug-users Tend To Be Acultural. Clearly, We Have Much To Learn From An Objective Study Of Societies With Long Histories Of Sanctioned, Controlled Drug Use To Achieve Recognized Cultural Objectives.

1. An Overview of Hallucinogens in the Western Hemisphere Richard Evans Schultes 3 2. Tobacco and Shamanistic Ecstasy Among the Warao Indians of Venezuela Johannes Wilbert 55 3. The Cultural Context of an Aboriginal Hallucinogen: Banisteriopsis Caapi Gerardo Reichel-DolmatoQ 84 4. The San Pedro Cactus in Peruvian Folk Healing Douglas Sharon 114 5. To Find Our Life: Peyote Among the Huichol Indians of Mexico Peter T. Furst 136 6. The Divine Mushroom of Immortality R. Gordon Wasson 185 7. What Was the Soma of the Aryans? R. Gordon Wasson 201 8. Ritual Use of Cannabis Sativa L.: A Historical-Ethnographic Survey William A. Emboden, Jr. 214 9. Tabernanthe Iboga: Narcotic Ecstasis and the Work of the Ancestors James W. Fernandez 237 10, Hallucinogens and the Shamanic Origins of Religion Weston La Barre 261 Bibliography 279 Index 295 The Contributors 303 There can be little doubt that the second half of the twentieth century will be remembered as a time when "mind-altering," or hallucinogenic, substances came into increasing use, serious as well as frivolous, in sophisticated Western societies.