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 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 of these compounds – particularly the classic psychedelics – is that the substance creates the effect. Nope. These substances function as agonists of neurotransmitters (a substance which initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor) that are produced by the human body. Most often, it's serotonin.

In other words, the drug doesn't get us high, it facilitates the accumulation or concentration of those feel good chemicals already within us. (This is also true for many medicinal herbs. The plant doesn't fix the injury or illness, it helps put the body in a state where it can do the healing.)

Cannabis delivers a similar response to psychedelics. We have more cannabinoid (CB1) receptors than serotonin, dopamine, or GABA receptors. 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, not endorphins (as believed for decades), 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."

During a trip, it's our own chemistry that provides the novel effects. 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 even a redefinition of our life. Past, present and future.

That 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. That'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 – provide 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.