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sudly
Darwin's stagger

Registered: 01/05/15
Posts: 10,805
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A theory for the evolution of consciousness
#21755874 - 06/03/15 01:56 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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I believe there is more to the magic of mushrooms than a good time. Here is why, any thoughts would be appreciated =)
A theory for the evolution of consciousness: Thousands of years ago as forests in Africa dried out and turned into grasslands the primates inhabiting them were forced to take to the ground as the habitat changed around them. Psychotropic plants have been and still are a part of the natural landscape, especially within grasslands as psychedelic mushrooms thrive in such environments. These coprophilic, manure loving mushrooms often grow to become large, warm coloured and easily be visible against a backdrop of green grass. This new environment would place considerable pressure on protein availability for the primates encouraging them to expand their diets to become more omnivorous and higher in fibre such as plant material. In nature we observe primates often picking up objects, viewing and sniff testing them for edibility. Psychotropic mushrooms would easily fall into the category of edible for these grassland primates.
The addition of psychotropic mushrooms to their diets would have significant effects on their behaviour, individually and socially. MRI scans during tests with the active ingredient in ‘magic mushrooms’ psilocybin show that it stimulates the language forming centre of the brain as well as producing a greater facility the processing of symbols and patterns. This may have given these primates an adaptive advantage to their surroundings as sub-acute doses are have been shown to improve visual acuity and awareness to surroundings. This added with the stimulation of the brains language forming centre is likely to have provoked these primates to use vocal calls more often. In essence creating a basic form of language. This adaptive advantage of increased vocal usage may have aided early pack hunting primates in coercing hunting strategies through vocal positioning of movements within the pack. The active ingredient psilocybin metabolises through enzymes to pump the brain with neurotransmitters almost indifferent from serotonin. It is reasonable to assume that psilocybin could have acted as a catalyst for language in early humans being the stepping stone to achieving higher culture. The human brain has developed more in the last 30,000 years than the past 3 million. Magic mushrooms are very likely to be the catalyst for the burst of primate development because of the presence of psychoactive compounds in the food chain. This dietary addition could be the template for cognition, self-reflection and language. As the use of mushrooms from grassland primates increased with experience they would surely learn that cattle are the source of the mushrooms seeing as they are produced from their manure. This realisation would create the impression that the cows are gifting them and is very likely to have led to a symbiotic relationship between early humans and cows as the cattle were easily domesticated with a reciprocal relationship aiding in their survival too through the protection from humans.
Historically cows have been revered for thousands of years and seen as religious figures, even gods in many religious contexts. Cows eventually became domesticated as they became used for milk, meat, fur and fuel via dried manure. Not only have cows often been religious icons but the magic mushrooms themselves have been too. Many cults of the old world have expressions of vegetation goddesses focused on the image of a mushroom, namely the Aztecs. The Aztecs held many religious beliefs and praised various gods, several of which were mushroom gods. In the creating myths of Aztec writing mushrooms are referred to numerous times and are often cited as sacred for their culture. Most of the Aztec religion was based on undergoing hallucinogenic experiences, they had enormous numbers of plants and other substances, mushrooms and things to create trance states.
-------------------- I am whatever Darwin needs me to be.
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Jufin


Registered: 03/31/08
Posts: 5,116
Loc: Australia
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Re: A theory for the evolution of consciousness [Re: sudly]
#21755951 - 06/03/15 02:56 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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sudly
Darwin's stagger

Registered: 01/05/15
Posts: 10,805
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Re: A theory for the evolution of consciousness [Re: Jufin]
#21755971 - 06/03/15 03:10 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Wow thanks, I wrote this on a shroom trip ages ago and found it now. I forgot why I wrote it but I was probably on a psychedelic youtube binge.
I think Terrence's theory stands to reason very well. It's a shame his ideas seem to be vacant outside the world of drug forums.
-------------------- I am whatever Darwin needs me to be.
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OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
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Re: A theory for the evolution of consciousness [Re: sudly]
#21756017 - 06/03/15 03:47 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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This is not even close to a theory - and is not taken seriously simply because there is no evidence. It's a real shame that random drug-fueled ramblings go relatively unnoticed. That being said, you are more than welcome to spend your life dedicated to turning the academic world upside down and going for your Nobel Prize.
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sudly
Darwin's stagger

Registered: 01/05/15
Posts: 10,805
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My apologies I should have referred to it as a hypothesis, you are correct. Each to their own beliefs as long as they aren't forced upon others.
Each new idea seems crazy until a coincidence appears linking it to another. This idea may seem odd to many but I haven't heard a better one yet and until that day comes i'm more than happy to put some time into finding out what faults are in this idea to better understand it.
-------------------- I am whatever Darwin needs me to be.
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