by RealityDown
In "Food of the Gods", Terence Mckenna argues
that mushrooms and entheogenic plants have been used for thousands of
years by shamans and spiritual leaders to achieve incredible feats.
Numerous belief systems have spawned from the magic mushroom alone,
inspiring art, music and philosophy. It follows that even a low level
mushroom trip generaly contains enough 'wierd' sensual input and
emotion to get someone thinking beyond their usual gestalts.
Before the 60s, hallucinogenics including
psilocybin were effective aids in psychiatric treatment to help a
number of ailments including alcoholism, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
and neurocies. In Sanford M. Ungers' Report titled: Mescaline, LSD, Psilocybin and Personality Change, he states that:
"Whenever dramatic personality change has been
noted following the use of these drugs, it has been associated with
this kind of experience that is, transcendental or visionary"
Outside the lab, personality changes are often
more subtle, based on the knowlege derived from the mushroom experience
which is infinately personal and it is unfair on yourself to expect
certain events or outcomes of a trip such as a transcendental
experience or being cured of a phobia!
Whether it be a visionary or simply a low
level experience most psychonauts and neoshamans alike will agree that
personal change is inevitable. The mushroom experience is such a
bewildering departure from normal consciousness that none should ignore
the possiblities it opens for our minds and civilization!
Discuss at The Shroomery BB
