Part autobiography, part introduction to
entheogens and visionary substances, "The Toad of Dawn: 5-MeO-DMT and the Rising of Cosmic Consciousness" by Dr.
Drawing on fieldwork and interviews with users of
entheogens including ayahuasca, vaporised DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT toad venom, I argue that a left willing to open itself to these experiences could gain a new standpoint from which to oppose and outflank capitalist ecocide.
3 (Winter 2003): Special issue: "Women and
Entheogens.
Synopsis: Part autobiography, part introduction to
entheogens and visionary substances, "The Toad of Dawn: 5-MeO-DMT and the Rising of Cosmic Consciousness" by Dr.
The 'subject of
entheogens actually feels dangerous to write about, and yet there is enormous irony in this: just as neuroscience is telling us that our sense of self is extremely malleable, even an illusion, society is fighting harder than ever to make sure that people are not free to play with themselves.
This virtual haven has many names, one of which is the entheosphere: a mind-space concerned with
entheogens, psychedelic drugs that are ingested with a view to consciousness expansion and spiritual enlightenment (Ott 1995: 88).
It is clear that the ancients made a very thorough investigation of all vegetation they encountered as a potential food source, medicine,
entheogen, weapon, or even fuel source, such as the use of Peganum harmala in hard Iranian winters (Flattery & Schwartz 1989).
Ayahuasca, classifiable as an
entheogen, is a psychoactive brew originating in the Amazon Basin region of South America.
Amanita muscaria is a special example of such drugs, being both a potential
entheogen and cited as a medicinal herb in rejuvenating therapy (rasayana) with its effects described as hallucinogenic and stimulating the nervous system, invoking "vivid dreams" and "recollections of old memories and supernatural feelings (Puri 2003, 1977).
Using an
entheogen is not a matter of becoming healthier or even wiser.
It is worthy noticing that despite a close relationship with
entheogens, indigenous populations only suffered from collective drug abuse problems after contacting with Western societies and being subjected to acculturation (Mabit, 2007).
Sikuani shamans chew capi (Banisteriopsis caapi) and inhale yopo powder (Anadenanthera peregrina) as
entheogens (psycho-active substances).
