John Miller
The forbidden fruit is a name given to the fruit growing in the Garden of Eden that, according to the Bible, God commanded mankind not to eat. The consumption of the forbidden fruit by Adam and Eve resulted in their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. While the Bible simply describes it as a fruit, various theories have emerged over the years, speculating that it could have been a banana, wheat, or even psilocybin mushrooms. Terence McKenna proposed that the forbidden fruit was a reference to psychotropic plants and fungi, specifically psilocybin mushrooms, which played a pivotal role in human brain evolution. The idea of mushrooms as the forbidden fruit has sparked curiosity, with some speculating about their potential medicinal properties and others exploring their hallucinogenic nature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | The forbidden fruit is a name given to the fruit growing in the Garden of Eden that, according to the Bible, God commanded mankind not to eat. |
| People involved | Adam, Eve, God, Shaitan (according to the Quran) |
| Consequences | Adam and Eve were exiled from the Garden of Eden. |
| Theories about the fruit | Wheat, banana, carob, citron, pear, pomegranate, psilocybin mushrooms, and the coco de mer |
| Medicinal mushroom proponents | Paul Stamets, George Hudler |
| Medicinal mushroom types | Shiitake, white button, turkey tail, birch polypore |
| Mushroom benefits | Potential to boost the immune system, lower cholesterol, prevent heart disease and cancer, treat depression |
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What You'll Learn
A fresco in Plaincourault Abbey depicts the forbidden fruit as a mushroom
The forbidden fruit is a concept from Abrahamic religions, referring to the fruit growing in the Garden of Eden that God commands mankind not to eat. The biblical story of Adam and Eve centres around the forbidden fruit, which is described as coming from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
A fresco in the 13th-century Plaincourault Abbey in France depicts the forbidden fruit as a gigantic Amanita muscaria, a psychoactive mushroom. This is not the only instance of the forbidden fruit being interpreted as a mushroom. Terence McKenna proposed that the forbidden fruit was a reference to psychotropic plants and fungi, specifically psilocybin mushrooms, which played a central role in the evolution of the human brain. John M. Allegro also proposed the mushroom theory in a heavily criticised study.
The idea that the forbidden fruit could be a mushroom is an interesting interpretation, but it is not the only theory. Other theories propose that the forbidden fruit was a fig, an apple, grapes, a pomegranate, carob, etrog or citron, a pear, a quince, wheat, a banana, or coco de mer. The Islamic tradition identifies the forbidden fruit with wheat or grapevine, while in Western Europe, it is often depicted as an apple.
The Plaincourault Abbey fresco is not the only artistic interpretation of the forbidden fruit. Michelangelo Buonarroti depicted it as a fig in his fresco on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
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Terence McKenna proposed the forbidden fruit was a psychotropic plant
Terence McKenna, a prominent advocate for the responsible use of natural psychedelics, proposed that the forbidden fruit was a reference to psychotropic plants and fungi, specifically psilocybin mushrooms. This theory was outlined in his book "Food of the Gods: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge – A Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution". McKenna believed that psychedelics enabled access to profound visionary experiences, alternate dimensions, and communication with intelligent entities. He became interested in magic mushrooms at the age of 14 after reading an article in LIFE magazine and later became a cultivator of psilocybin mushrooms, publishing the "Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide" with his brother, an ethnobotanist, in 1975.
McKenna's travels through Asia and South America in the 1960s and '70s influenced his theories on plant-based psychedelics, and he helped popularize their use through his writings and lectures. He became a countercultural icon in the 1980s and '90s, delivering talks on a wide range of subjects, including shamanism, metaphysics, and technology. In addition to his advocacy for psychedelics, McKenna also spoke about the potential benefits of virtual reality, arguing that it could be a boon to both psychedelicists and businesspeople.
McKenna's proposal that the forbidden fruit was a psychotropic plant is not without precedent. An earlier, heavily criticized study by John M. Allegro also proposed that the forbidden fruit was a mushroom. Additionally, a fresco in the 13th-century Plaincourault Abbey in France depicts Adam and Eve flanking a Tree of Knowledge that resembles a gigantic Amanita muscaria, a psychoactive mushroom.
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The Bible states that whoever eats the forbidden fruit shall die
Despite this clear commandment, Eve eats the fruit and gives some to Adam, who also eats it. They then become aware of their nakedness and make clothing out of fig leaves. When God confronts them, Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden of Eden.
The specific type of fruit is not mentioned in the Bible, and various theories have been proposed. Rabbi Nehemiah Hayyun, for instance, argues that the fruit was a fig, as Adam and Eve made garments from its leaves. Others have suggested grapes, wheat, or even psychotropic plants and fungi, such as psilocybin mushrooms.
Outside of the Abrahamic religions, the phrase "forbidden fruit" has taken on a metaphorical meaning, referring to any indulgence or pleasure that is considered illegal or immoral.
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The Quran describes Shaitan deceiving Adam and Eve
The Quran describes Shaitan, or Iblis, deceiving Adam and Eve, causing them to eat the forbidden fruit and be exiled from Paradise. Shaitan is described as whispering to Adam and Eve, tempting them to eat from the forbidden tree. The Quran states that Shaitan swore an oath to them, promising that he was a "sincere adviser". As a result of his deception, Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, and their nakedness was exposed to them. They covered themselves with leaves and hid from God.
Shaitan is a figure in Islamic scripture, mentioned by name in the Quran eleven times. He is also referred to as Satan or the Devil. The story of Iblis's fall from heaven is told in the Quran, and there is some debate about the cause of his expulsion. Some verses suggest he was expelled for refusing to bow to Adam, while others indicate that he was expelled for deceiving Adam and Eve. In the Quranic narrative, God created Adam and ordered the angels to bow before him. All the angels obeyed, except for Iblis, who refused, arguing that he was superior to humans because he was created from fire, while humans were made from clay.
The Quran describes the consequences of Shaitan's deception of Adam and Eve. In Surah Al-A'raf, it is written that Adam and his wife were allowed to eat from all the trees in Paradise except for one, and if they ate from that tree, they would be considered wrongdoers. Despite this warning, Shaitan deceived them, and they ate the forbidden fruit. As a result, they were exiled from Paradise and sent down to earth. This event is described in Surah Barqah 2:36, which states that Iblis, Adam, and Eve all left heaven at the same time because Iblis deceived them.
The Quran also provides insight into Shaitan's motivations for deceiving Adam and Eve. In one passage, Shaitan expresses his intention to lead others astray, just as he himself had wandered off from the path of Allah. He vows to deceive mankind and make them go astray, just as he had done. This passage highlights the role of Shaitan as a tempter and deceiver, seeking to misguide others.
The story of Adam and Eve's exile from Paradise due to Shaitan's deception has been a subject of interpretation and discussion among Muslim scholars. While the Quran does not specify the nature of the forbidden fruit, some scholars have proposed theories identifying it with various plants, including psychotropic fungi or wheat. These interpretations offer alternative perspectives on the nature of the forbidden fruit and its significance in the Quranic narrative of human temptation and exile.
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Mushrooms have medicinal properties
While some sources propose that the forbidden fruit in the Bible was a reference to psychotropic plants and fungi, specifically psilocybin mushrooms, others argue that it was wheat or a banana.
Medicinal Properties of Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms have been used to treat infections for hundreds of years, especially in Asia. They have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antiallergic, antihyperlipidemic, and prebiotic properties. They are also used to treat lung diseases and cancer. Turkey tail mushrooms, for example, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat lung diseases and strengthen the immune system. Polysaccharide K (PSK) is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms and has been used as an adjuvant therapy in thousands of cancer patients since the 1970s.
Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, help to keep cholesterol levels low. They contain compounds that inhibit the production of cholesterol, block cholesterol from being absorbed, and lower overall cholesterol in the blood. A study in Singapore found that participants who ate more than two cups of mushrooms (including shiitake, golden, oyster, and white button mushrooms) had a 50% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer's disease.
Mushrooms are also a powerful source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. Incorporating any variety of mushrooms into your daily diet can lower your risk of cancer. They are naturally low in sodium, which helps to keep blood pressure low.
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Frequently asked questions
In Abrahamic religions, the forbidden fruit is the fruit growing in the Garden of Eden that God commands mankind not to eat. The biblical story of Adam and Eve centres around the forbidden fruit, which is described simply as a fruit.
A fresco in the 13th-century Plaincourault Abbey in France depicts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, flanking a Tree of Knowledge that resembles a psychoactive mushroom. Terence McKenna proposed that the forbidden fruit was a reference to psychotropic plants and fungi, specifically psilocybin mushrooms, which played a central role in the evolution of the human brain.
Various other fruits have been proposed as the forbidden fruit, including wheat, bananas, carob, citron, and the pear.
