Where Did Hallucinogens Come From?

Hallucinogens and Religion: Did Gods Send Hallucinogens to the Tribes?

A lot of folklore surrounds the existence and use of hallucinogens in many tribes around the world. There are truly intricate stories, explaining how a hallucinogen was first created, as well as broader explanations for their growth and effects. Many cultures believe that hallucinogens are evil, and there is a great fear surrounding their use. Many cultures consider the growth of hallucinogens a bad omen…yet others have the exact opposite perspective, considering hallucinogens sacred, savior-like plants. Sacred or not, hallucinogens have been used for so many things and their influence on cultures has been undeniable.

Did Ancient Gods Create Hallucinogens For Indians and Ancient Cultures?

The chemicals which form within plants that are hallucinogenic, are oftentimes produced in certain ways within the body. For example, DMT, a derivative of tryptamine commonly used for its hallucinogenic effects, is found naturally occurring in the human body. It is also found occurring in many plants which are exploited for their hallucinogenic properties. DMT is very commonly employed in the popular Amazonian drink Ayahuasca. If gods made man, it is most certainly possible they also made hallucinogenic plants (as well as all other plants).

In fact, there are many cultures and tribes around the world which believe that certain plants were created for them by specific gods. Some cultures believe the gods created certain plants as food for the gods themselves. And there are some tribes who even suggest some hallucinogens were made specifically to create a channel of communication with the gods, their ancestors or another world. One thing is certain: many tribes around the world believe this, but they share different gods. While parallels may be drawn from a multitude of angles, the truth is: the plants still may hold the ability for a tribe to communicate with other beings (from this planet or not). And it is more than possible that the hallucinogenic plants on Earth were created as a way for shaman to communicate with these other beings.

Hallucinogens Used to Communicate With Gods

Of the many plants that have been used for hallucinogenic effects, and specifically by shaman to communicate with their gods and the spirits of the other world…these are the most documented and presumably most used.

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia arborea)

All species of Brugmansia are well known throughout many Indian tribes, especially in the Amazon region, as a powerful hallucinogen. The plant has been prepared for communication with one’s ancestors and potentially the Gods themselves in Peruvian tribes.

Bakana (Scirpus sp.)

This plant has alkaloids which give it strong religious significance in the Tarahumara tribe. The Indians believe the plant can be used to travel to other places and even talk with their ancestors and Gods.

Fly Agaric Mushrooms (Amanita muscaria)

Many mushrooms are regarded as spiritual or sacred in value throughout the world. The Fly Agaric are some of the oldest, most sacred of the mushrooms. These mushrooms probably were the drink used by Ancient India and Aryans called “Soma.” It is also used by many Athabaskan people in North America. Many tribes contribute the growth of these mushrooms to Gods, either as food for the Gods or a communication tool, allowing them to communicate with the Gods in a number of shamanic rituals.

Hierba de la Pastora (Salvia divinorum)

Salvia is commonly exploited for its strong visual hallucinogenic effects. It is well-known to create intense, vivid, and extremely realistic visions. The Indians throughout present day Mexico (and the Ancient Mexican tribes as well), have used Salvia to communicate with other worlds, the deceased, and ancient gods.

Iboga (Tabernanthe iboga)

Iboga has been very popular throughout the Congo for centuries. It is used for many things, but one of the most common is within the Bwiti cult to seek information from the gods, ancestors and the spirit world. It is a powerful hallucinogen.

Kieli, Tecomaxochitl (Solandra brevicalyx)

Kieli has been employed by Mexican tribes for hundreds of years. It is currently still used today. The plant is often found employed throughout a number of rituals, whether religious or ceremonial. It is found used by shaman to communicate with ancient gods.

Ololiuqui (Turbina corymbosa)

Ololiuqui has been significant in many cultures, but is especially significant in Aztec cultures. The seeds can be used to create powerful hallucinations and divination. Many cultures consider it sacred and a plant of the gods, even believing it has been given to man by the gods for spiritual communication and exploration.

Teonanacatl Mushrooms (Conocybe siligineoides, and others)

As previously mentioned, magic mushrooms (any psychedelic mushroom), is often considered sacred by many cultures around the world. The mushrooms referred to by the Aztec as “Teonanacatl,” are some of the most important mushrooms in religious rituals and used by Shaman for communicating with other worlds. They are considered gifts from the Gods by many tribes.

Yun-Shih (Caesalpinia sepiaria)

Yun-Shih is extremely common in China, and also in Tibet and Nepal. While it is extremely psychoactive in high doses, it is also used to bring one’s consciousness to a higher sense and give one the ability to communicate with their ancestors.

Are Hallucinogens From Aliens or Another Planet?

Some cultures have speculated that hallucinogenic plants, being the anomalies that they are, have been sent here by aliens. These theories suggest species from other planets have long ago visited Earth, and were well-known by ancient civilizations. The theories point to paintings and literature from ancient times describing beings from the sky and other worlds, as well as the connection between psychoactive substances and these beings. The idea is that aliens cultivated these plants as a way of “leaving something behind.” More specifically, the hallucinogens could be used by shaman and leaders of ancient civilizations (Egyptians, Mayans, Aztecs, etc), to communicate with, and potentially even visit, these aliens or other beings. While no tangible evidence exists, besides the drawings of ancient cultures depicting mushrooms alongside would-be spaceships, many people still believe aliens are connected to the existence of hallucinogens.

Final Notes on Where Hallucinogens Come From

Hallucinogens are naturally occurring psychoactive plants throughout the world. Sometimes the chemicals they produce which are responsible for the hallucinogens, are found naturally occurring in the human body itself. The chemical composition of the plants are easily analyzed when studied and their constituents, easily identifiable. It is not hard to determine what chemicals in a plant are responsible for a hallucinogenic effect, when observed in a lab setting. Still, even understanding the hallucinogenic properties of a plant and studying its effects, cannot explain the sworn use of these plants for divine and sacred purposes. Understanding the plant’s chemical structure and its interaction with the human brain when administered, does not explain why these plants form aside seemingly normal vegetation. And while it may be impossible to prove whether an experienced vision or hallucination was an authentic spiritual event, there are users around the world (religious and recreational alike), who will attest to the sacred nature of these plants. Whether the plants are used to honor a god, as food for a god, or for self-exploration, their true origination remains a mystery.