Drugs Aren't Amazing. We Are.

By Les Mottosky

*This article isn't an endorsement of illicit substances. Only some observations of their impact over three decades of experimentation.

Many drugs are miraculous. But not for the reason we might think.

As a 30-plus year psychonaut (an explorer of the mind via altered states of consciousness) I've had countless experiences with psychedelics, phenethylamines, tryptamines and, my fave, entheogens. I've also accepted the responsibility – and held the privilege – of being a sober sitter for other's psychedelic experiences.

Deliberate use of consciousness altering substances for the purpose of exploring our mind doesn't remotely resemble the 70's tie-dyed hippie trope. Modern, intentional consumption of a chosen compound is more like an overtime shift at work than dancing naked at Woodstock. Especially when taking-on the necessary effort afterwards to integrate the insights that might arise during the journey.

There are some golden guidelines of responsibility for psychedelic exploration that include testing of substance purity as well as ensuring appropriate set and setting. 'Set' is internal. It's about intention, mental state and overall preparedness to release unnecessary control during the coming event. While 'setting' is the consideration of the external environment; where one chooses to have the experience and with whom.

However, this article isn't about what goes in us, but what is in us.

A broad misunderstanding about these compounds – particularly the classic psychedelics – is that it's not the substances that create the effects, but chemicals already present in our bodies. These substances are agonists of neurotransmitters (a substance which initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor) that are produced in and by the human body. Primarily serotonin and, in the case of MDMA, add dopamine and norepinephrine.

In other words, it's not the drug that gets us high, it just facilitates the accumulation or concentration of those feel good chemicals already within us. (This is also true for many medicinal herbs. They just put the body into a state where it can do the healing it wants to do.)

Cannabis provides a similar response. The human body has more cannabinoid (CB1) receptors than receptors for serotonin, dopamine, or GABA. THC – the psychoactive substance in cannabis – appears to alter mood and cognition through its agonist actions via CB1 activation. This increases dopamine release and produces those psychotropic effects.

Relatedly, recent scientific evidence indicates that endocannabinoids, rather than endorphins, are the primary drivers of the runner’s high.

Salvador Dali never ran a marathon but he was on the money when he said:

"I don't do drugs. I am drugs."

Our own chemistry – altered as it is – provides the novel effects of a trip. And if we're intentional, those neurochemicals can lead us to creative insights, personal growth, new understanding of past traumas and healing. This can generate a new sense of freedom and a redefinition of our life. Past, present and future.

The feel good – often euphoric – chemistry is our own nature catapulted out of balance as the result of ingesting a synergistic compound. It's literally a higher version of ourselves. The drug is the amplifier. But the chemistry—and the experience—are ours.

Back to those entheogens. It's a beautifully constructed word, and its meaning is more specific than simply “psychedelic.” It comes from three Greek roots: en = within, theos = god/divine, and gen = producing, generating, bringing forth. So, literally, entheogen means something like: “Generating the divine within.”

Perhaps an entheogen isn't what puts the divine into us, but something that brings forth what's already there.

Could drugs – particularly psychedelics – be inner proof that god is everywhere and everything, all the time?

That's kinda' miraculous.

TAGS: #Nature Teaches

Les Mottosky

Writes to expand the capacity of the human behind the career.

Adaptation Strategist // I help organizations turn creativity into their competitive advantage by aligning leadership, culture and strategy to unlock adaptive innovations.