Laura Smith
For centuries, people have used mind-altering substances, including psychedelic mushrooms, to deepen their spiritual experiences and connect with the divine. The use of psychoactive mushrooms in religious rituals has been documented in various cultures, from ancient Greece and Mesoamerica to modern-day religious movements. The question Are mushrooms god? explores the relationship between mushroom usage and spiritual experiences, with some people even turning to mushrooms to find God or enhance their faith. This topic has sparked interest and debate among those seeking alternative paths to spirituality and a changed conception of God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutritional value | Fat-free, low-sodium, low-calorie, cholesterol-free, high-fibre, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein |
| Health benefits | Anti-inflammatory, improved gut health, improved brain health, protection against obesity, type 2 diabetes, protection against certain cancers, protection against high blood pressure, improved immune system, improved heart health, anti-aging |
| Culinary uses | Soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, casseroles, Italian dishes, vegetarian dishes, mushroom burgers, stir-fries, pasta dishes, toppings |
| Number of species | 1,600 (according to one source), 14,000 (according to another source), 2,000 edible varieties |
| Toxicity | Some mushrooms contain deadly toxins and should be bought from a reliable source |
| Global market value | $50 billion in 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms and religion
There is a growing movement among religious leaders to use psychedelics like psilocybin or magic mushrooms to deepen their faith. In a small but fast-growing movement, members of Abrahamic faiths are incorporating entheogens—substances that occasion spiritual experiences—into their own practices. For instance, the quickly growing meetup group called Faith+Delics has drawn rabbis, priests, scholars, and practitioners of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. There is also the Jewish Entheogenic Society on Facebook, which boasts close to 1,000 members.
Michael Winkelman, in his historiographical introduction to psychedelic research, argues that the intentional consumption of psychedelic mushrooms caused the evolution of human language and spirituality. He claims that drugs are a central part of human history from the beginning of humanity into the present. Winkelman also puts forth the case that the divine soma of Hindu gods is mushrooms, as evidenced by mushroom art in the temples, the presence of mushroom steps at the entrances of the temples, and through complex architectural messaging that resembles the stages of psychedelic experiences.
Winkelman's thesis supports the hypothesis that psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, were central features in the development of religion. He also claims that the role of psilocybin mushrooms in the ancient evolution of human religions is attested to by fungiform petroglyphs, rock artifacts, and myths.
Psychedelics have been used to help people heal from traumas, embrace their true nature, and connect to the Creator. Rituals involving these plants can be integrated into the sacred practices of all religions. However, the problem arises when religious leaders who have used psychedelics return to their flock. They can’t share what they’ve learned as it could cause the closure of their churches. Nothing in any church charter approves the use of psychedelics, which are still classified as Schedule 1 drugs.
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Ancient Greeks and psychedelic rituals
The use of psychedelics in ancient Greek rituals is a fascinating and much-debated topic. While the presence of drugs in human civilisation dates back to at least the Neolithic period, with evidence of opium poppy seeds in Spain from before 4000 BCE, the explicit use of narcotics in ancient Greek rituals is more ambiguous.
One of the most well-known theories centres on the Eleusinian Mysteries, a ceremony symbolising death and rebirth. This ritual, open to all Greek speakers regardless of gender, class, or status, was dedicated to the goddesses Demeter and Persephone. Participants spent six months learning rites and rituals before processing from Athens to the temple of Demeter at Eleusis, where they spent nine days and then returned to Athens. The experience was meant to inspire awe, joy, and spiritual enlightenment, and to give followers a deeper understanding of life and death.
The key element of the Eleusinian Mysteries was the consumption of a potion called kykeon, which is thought to have been a psychedelic brew. While there is some debate about the exact composition of kykeon, famed chemist Albert Hofmann, discoverer of LSD, argues that it was a psychedelic fungus. The effects of drinking kykeon are described in ways that resemble modern accounts of psychedelic trips, with participants gaining a deeper understanding of the world and feeling more connected to it.
Beyond the Eleusinian Mysteries, there is evidence of drug use in ancient Greece more broadly. For example, archaeological findings include a terracotta figure of a 'poppy goddess' from Crete, dating back to about 1300 BCE, and an ivory pipe from the 12th century BCE used to smoke opium, discovered in a ritual context in Cyprus. Additionally, alcohol was a part of daily and religious life in ancient Greece, and more potent drugs like opium and cannabis were understood for their medicinal and narcotic properties.
In conclusion, while the specifics of ancient Greek psychedelic rituals remain shrouded in mystery, the available evidence suggests that the use of psychedelics, particularly in the context of the Eleusinian Mysteries, played a significant role in the spiritual and religious practices of ancient Greeks, offering them profound experiences and a deeper connection to the world.
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Christian artwork and fungi
The idea that Christianity may have involved the use of psychedelic plants and fungi is not new. In his 1970 book, *The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross*, British archaeologist John Marco Allegro suggested that early Christianity was essentially a "sex-and-mushroom cult", with the mushroom viewed as a gateway to understanding God. Allegro's work focused on the study of the earliest manuscripts of the Bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and he believed that hallucinogenic mushrooms, specifically Amanita muscaria (or fly agaric, the red mushroom with white spots), were at the root of many religions, including early Christianity.
This theory is supported by the prevalence of mushrooms in Christian art. John A. Rush, in his book *The Mushroom in Christian Art*, analyses the prevalence of mushroom motifs in Christian art from 200 CE to the present, arguing that Jesus was not a historical person but a personification of the Holy Mushroom Amanita muscaria and the mystical experience brought about by the ingestion of psychedelic plants and fungi. Rush's work includes 252 striking colour images of Christian art, the symbolism of which is discussed in detail.
Further evidence of the role of fungi in early Christian practices can be found in the frescoes from central Mexico dated to 300 AD, which show signs of mushroom worship. Additionally, 'sacred mushrooms' feature in Aztec texts, such as the Codex Vindobonensis, which visually depicts the ceremonial use of psychedelic mushrooms. The Aztecs called these mushrooms teonanacatl, which means "flesh of the gods".
The consumption of psychedelic mushrooms has been traced back to different cultures, with mushroom motifs and stones found in Mexico dating back to 200 CE. It is speculated that the Rigveda, one of Hinduism's sacred texts, describes a psychedelic drink.
Today, some Christian artwork continues to incorporate mushroom motifs. For example, a psychedelic painting in Canterbury Cathedral in England may suggest that the early Christians used mushrooms in their religious practices.
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Mormonism and mushrooms
Mushrooms have been used for centuries as a mind-altering sacrament and form of divination. The Netflix documentary "Fantastic Fungi" explores the use of psychoactive mushrooms and their role in transcendence and mystical experiences.
The Divine Assembly, a church dedicated to the healing and mind-expanding powers of psilocybin mushrooms, has attracted a significant number of former Mormons as members. The group holds sacrament ceremonies and retreats, providing a space for those who have left the LDS Church to explore spirituality and connect with others.
The use of psychedelics among post-Mormons is also explored in the podcast "Mormons on Mushrooms," which aims to help people heal from their experiences with Mormonism. The podcast was started by Mike and his friend Doug, who attribute their positive experiences with psychedelics to their ability to foster mindfulness and compassion.
In addition to personal exploration, there are theories suggesting that the use of psychedelics may have played a role in the early days of the Mormon Church. The book "The Psychedelic History of Mormonism, Magic, and Drugs" by Cody Noconi explores the idea that Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS Church, may have used entheogens or psychoactive substances to induce visions and shape the doctrines of the religion. While these theories are intriguing, they remain speculative and are not universally accepted.
The connection between Mormonism and mushrooms, or more specifically psilocybin mushrooms, is a complex one. For some former Mormons, mushrooms and other psychedelics offer a path to spiritual exploration and connection, free from the strict structures and dogma of organized religion.
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Psychedelics and spirituality
Psychedelics, also known as hallucinogens or entheogens, are psychoactive substances that have been used for centuries, and possibly millennia, for spiritual and religious purposes. The term "entheogen" comes from the ancient Greek "entheos" for "divine," and "genesthai" for "generate," referring to a connection with the inner divine.
Pre-Incan civilizations consumed the San Pedro cactus, which contains mescaline, Vedic and Zoroastrian traditions consumed soma, which some scholars believe may have been based on mushrooms containing psychoactive ingredients, and early Christians may have consumed sacramental wine laced with a psychoactive ingredient. Indigenous people in the United States can legally use peyote in traditional Indigenous religious ceremonies, including those of the Native American Church.
Psychedelics have been shown to induce mystical experiences and are linked to a variety of subjective indicators of spiritual growth, including stronger perceived connections with the divine, a greater sense of meaning, increased spiritual faith, and increased engagement in religious and spiritual practices. Many psychedelic users report having deeply spiritual and mystical experiences, both within and outside of a structured religious context.
The spiritual aspect of psychedelics is central to their potential therapeutic benefits. Studies consistently show that psychedelics enhance emotional well-being by inducing a range of experiences that provide people with an enhanced sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. The Emory Center for Psychedelics and Spirituality (ECPS) is the world's first center to fully integrate clinical and research-based expertise in psychiatry and spiritual health, aiming to optimize the healing potential of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some ancient cultures considered mushrooms to be sacred. The ancient Greeks associated mushrooms with the city of Mycenae, also known as "Mushroom City". The Aztec god Tlalóc, the Mexican God of Inspiration, is often depicted surrounded by mushrooms.
Yes, some religious texts suggest that mushrooms were used in ancient rituals and ceremonies. Francisco Hernández de Toledo, physician to the King of Spain, wrote about the ritual use of psychoactive mushrooms by Native Americans in Mesoamerica during the early exploratory period.
There is some evidence to suggest that the founder of the LDS church, Joseph Smith, may have used psychedelics. During the Kirtland Temple Dedication, 500 people took the sacrament with Smith, and most of them reported having visions of angels. It has been theorised that Smith used psychedelics to fulfil his promise that every Mormon convert would "experience visions of God and spiritual ecstasies".
Yes, there is a growing movement among religious leaders to use psychedelics like psilocybin to deepen their faith. In Denver, a rabbi was arrested for leading a synagogue that grew magic mushrooms. Additionally, former Mormon Stephen Urquhart founded the Divine Assembly, a religious group that uses mushrooms for self-guided worship.
People who use mushrooms in a religious context believe that they can help them to deepen their faith and experience a closer connection to God. Some also believe that mushrooms can provide access to a spiritual paradise or induce prophecies.
