Introduction: Evidence for entheogen use in prehistory and world religions
Journal of Psychedelic Studies June 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1556/2054.2019.024 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin Shamanism |
| Keywords | Prehistory Consciousness Consumption sociology Rock art Environmental ethics Mythology Anthropology Punishment psychology Ethnology Aesthetics Hallucinogen Archaeology Social science Epistemology |
| Citations | 63 |
| Key findings | Psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, were likely central to the evolution of religion, as indicated by archaeological, mythological, and historical evidence. |
Abstract
This introduction to the special issue reviews research that supports the hypothesis that psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, were central features in the development of religion. The greater response of the human serotonergic system to psychedelics than is the case for chimpanzees’ serotonergic receptors indicates that these substances were environmental factors that affected hominin evolution. These substances also contributed to the evolution of ritual capacities, shamanism, and the associated alterations of consciousness. The role of psilocybin mushrooms in the ancient evolution of human religions is attested to fungiform petroglyphs, rock artifacts, and mythologies from all major regions of the world. This prehistoric mycolatry persisted into the historic era in the major religious traditions of the world, which often left evidence of these practices in sculpture, art, and scriptures. This continuation of entheogenic practices in the historical world is addressed in the articles here. But even through new entheogenic combinations were introduced, complex societies generally removed entheogens from widespread consumption, restricted them in private and exclusive spiritual practices of the leaders, and often carried out repressive punishment of those who engaged in entheogenic practices.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hallucinogenic Drugs and Plants in Psychotherapy and Shamanism | 1998 | Review | |
| Hallucinogenic Mushrooms in Mexico: An Overview | 2008 | Review | |
| Healing, spirituality and integrative medicine. | 2017 | Review | |
| The Evolved Psychology of Psychedelic Set and Setting: Inferences Regarding the Roles of Shamanism and Entheogenic Ecopsychology | 2021 | Review | |
| Shamans, Sacraments, and Psychiatrists | 1989 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 41
- Naturalistic psilocybin use is associated with persisting improvements in mental health and wellbeing: results from a prospective, longitudinal survey Frontiers in Psychiatry September 19, 2023
- Psychedelics, Sociality, and Human Evolution Frontiers in Psychology September 29, 2021
- The Evolved Psychology of Psychedelic Set and Setting: Inferences Regarding the Roles of Shamanism and Entheogenic Ecopsychology Frontiers in Pharmacology February 23, 2021
- Role of 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, 5-HT1A and TAAR1 Receptors in the Head Twitch Response Induced by 5-Hydroxytryptophan and Psilocybin: Translational Implications International Journal of Molecular Sciences November 16, 2022
- The Bright Side of Psychedelics: Latest Advances and Challenges in Neuropharmacology International Journal of Molecular Sciences January 10, 2023
and 36 more in the library
Cites 10
- Hallucinogenic Mushrooms in Mexico: An Overview Economic Botany November 1, 2008
- The Mechanisms of Psychedelic Visionary Experiences: Hypotheses from Evolutionary Psychology Frontiers in Neuroscience September 28, 2017
- Shamanism and the Origins of Spirituality and Ritual Healing Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture February 8, 2010
- An ontology of psychedelic entity experiences in evolutionary psychology and neurophenomenology Journal of Psychedelic Studies March 26, 2018
- Soma siddhas and alchemical enlightenment: psychedelic mushrooms in Buddhist tradition. Journal of Ethnopharmacology October 1, 1995
and 5 more in the library