Psychedelicasies
Richard G. Alexander
A Criminological Investigation into Psychedelic Drug Use 2025 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-01008-7_9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Spiritual supermarket Psychedelic drugs New age spirituality Consumer culture Spiritual materialism |
| Key points | Argues that psychedelic experiences are commodified as customizable, consumer-friendly routes to transcendence, aligning with late modern identity construction and the search for authenticity. |
Abstract
This chapter critically examines the commodification of psychedelic drug use within the context of New Age spirituality, focusing on the online platform ‘Spiritual Sage’ as a digital manifestation of the ‘spiritual supermarket’. Through a detailed analysis of product descriptions, retreat marketing language, and consumer narratives, the chapter explores how psychedelic experiences are commodified as fast-track routes to self-discovery, healing, and transcendence. Drawing on concepts of spiritual materialism, New Age holism, and the cultural logic of late modernity, it shows how these psychedelic products are stripped of traditional religious or therapeutic frameworks and recast as customisable, consumer-friendly experiences. The chapter also discusses the sociological implications of such spiritual commodification, highlighting the alignment between psychedelic consumption and late modern identity construction, consumer agency, and the search for authenticity.