Ethnobotany, the branch of ethnology that studies the relationships between plants and people, has developed an increasing fascination with understanding and integrating the world’s rich traditions of plant-based psychedelic practices into modern life. Broadening our understanding of plants like Peyote, Ayahuasca, the San Pedro cactus, Iboga and Salvia divinorum allows us to better comprehend the…
As we traverse the meandering paths of self-discovery, it’s not uncommon to deftly explore uncharted landscapes of our underlying psyche. One such trail is dominated by the vibrant, intricate, and transmogrifying motifs evident in psychedelic art, an artistic genre that is directly influenced by the heightened states of consciousness induced by psychedelic substances. Like a…
Music, by nature, is an evocative form of art. Its ability to electrify passion, stir emotion, and provoke thought is undeniable. Psychedelia, complementary in its mysterious charm, has had an equally reverberating effect throughout history. Both invoke mesmerizing mind-altering effects in their unique ways, introducing us to alternate dimensions of perception. The symbiotic relationship between…
The Surrealist movement, born in the tumultuous years following World War I, sought to reject rational design and access the deep-hidden truths of the subconscious through art. Its pioneers, including Salvador Dali and Andre Breton, used a variety of techniques to catalyze this exploration of still untapped dreamscape, including automatic writing, manipulation of found objects,…
From mind-expanding creative exploration to profound lyrical introspection, the role of psychedelics in music is as diverse as the sounds they have helped birth. Whether it’s the iconic psychedelic music artists of the 60s or their contemporary counterparts experimenting with fractal sounds and narratives, the relationship between psychedelics and music is both fascinating and complex….
The counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s popularized the exploration of alternative forms of consciousness. This movement, at its core, was driven by the widespread experimentation with and use of psychedelic substances such as LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and psilocybin (magic mushrooms). Writers and musicians alike experimented with these mind-expanding substances, fueling the creation…
The conversation linking psychedelics, or entheogens as they are academically called, to spiritual growth and practices has gained momentum over the years. Entheogens—quite literally “generating the divine within”—are psychoactive substances that are traditionally used in religious or spiritual contexts. These substances, which include Ayahuasca, DMT, and other sacred plants, have been applied in practices like…
Psychedelic music, a genre that dominated the subculture during the 1960s, is often associated with countercultural movements, mind-expanding experiences, and trippy visuals. It was more than just sound; it was an immersive experience that drew heavily from the psychedelia of the decade. The era’s zeitgeist was one of subversion, revolt, and transformation, with the music…
Psychedelics and meditation, seemingly separate but linked by a shared purpose: to unlock greater depths of consciousness expansion, spiritual experiences, and opportunities for self-discovery. Both practices have seen a resurgence in recent times, reflecting humanity’s perpetual quest for understanding its inner and outer universe. Meditation, an ancient practice rooted in diverse cultures, paves the way…
The quest for an in-depth understanding of humans, delving into our faculties of mind, self, and spirit, has long been a common thread through centuries of scientific and philosophical exploration. Embracing the spiritual dimensions of human experience intertwines realms of existential philosophy, religious experiences, and psychological well-being. In this regard, the field of Transpersonal psychology…