Psychonaut

Ahh, the wonderful world of things that don’t exist.  Dreams, hallucinations, and misconceptions all create the sensation of a true reality which fails to exist.  Hallucinogens, for those few who have yet to hear of them, are any chemical substance which distort perceptions for induce delusions.  These chemicals include LSD, LSA, psilocybin, THC, DXM, and Salvinorin A.

Some psychonauts, namely Terence McKenna, argue that because tryptomine related psychedelics so closely relate to the neurochemistry of the human brain, that the two have potentially evolved together.  Although I think this is a noble suggestion, I find myself doubting its credibility.  Given the thousands of strains and species of plants which exist, along with all the results of plant cross-breeding, its no wonder that some plants contain chemicals which somewhat relate to chemicals in our brains.  While human usage and interest in the plant may have been a driving force for natural selection in ancient times, it is unlikely that the plant “evolved” chemicals to match those of the human brain.  Evolution and natural selection have no “conscious” direction, so I feel that this claim is nothing more than correlation by chance.  Enough with theory though, lets move forward to psychedelic tripping.

Many users of hallucinogens have claimed that they now perceive the world in a different way because of the trips they have experienced.  I find this to be an entirely plausible.  Liken hallucinations to dreams – dreams which you have no option but to believe.  Should something mystical or extraordinary happen during these hallucinations, which one will inevitably believe and relate to reality, the visions may be an inspiration for a new understanding or concept.  Although I have never experienced a full-out detachment of reality trip, I have dabbled in Salvia Divinorum usage on certain occasions.  During one of these sessions, I felt and perceived shadows to be nothing more than very intricate shadow puppetry projected onto a solid object as a screen.  I know this sounds unamazing, but for the few moments I experienced this sensation, the world felt as though it was shadow puppet show being projected onto the canvas on the inside of a tent, as though on a camping trip.  This isn’t a profound change of thinking that I had, but it sure makes me smile when I look at a very well defined shadow.  Essentially, experiences shape our understanding of our reality.  Hallucinations (even dreams) are in a way, pseudo-experiences and are just as capable as changing our world view as much as actual events.

In spite of all of these insights psychonauts have received, not many tangible things can be said to have originated from hallucinogen usage (excluding tie-dying).  What hallucinogens have successfully done is to reignite the shamanistic subcultures which lied dormant within our American society.  This rebirth was most noticeable during the 1960s when psychedelics were widespread and commonplace.  It brings about what appears to be desire of change for and detachment from social norms and a reevaluation of the human lifestyle.  Although the hippie and psychonaut persona is not nearly as common as it once was, the effects they have had on society are still recognizable.  Many of the citizens who experienced or witnessed these cultures are still around and still hold their “revealed” ideas of society.  Psychedelic usage has also brought about quite a few advances in the field of psychology and chemistry, along with providing vast territory for exploration in the field of philosophy.  America may not be the adventuresome and rebellious spirit that it was during the 1960s, but in being part of our history, it has become part of our national identity.

Look forward to reading an essay I have written (and revised!) sometime tomorrow, but no later than 6pm (central time).