Reddit reviews Magic Mushrooms in Religion and Alchemy

This is from the book "Magic mushrooms in religion and alchemy" By Clark Heinrich. I'll let folks decide for themselves about his credibility, but I will say that (having read the book) he seems like a level headed and intelligent guy. Had to post this just because of the large discussion the topic started here: http://www.reddit.com/r/Psychonaut/comments/2g3or2/ram_dass_gives_his_guru_lsd/

I thoroughly recommend the book, by the way! One of the most interesting and perspective changing books I have come across. Will make you want to eat amanitas.

Zig Zag Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics https://www.amazon.com/dp/090779162X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_QJ4EDbB3R1DCY

Secret Drugs of Buddhism https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692652817/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_wK4EDb733CREK

Entheogens, Myth, and Human Consciousness https://www.amazon.com/dp/1579511414/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_CM4EDb7WCZCJJ

The Effluents of Deity: Alchemy and Psychoactive Sacraments in Medieval and Renaissance Art https://www.amazon.com/dp/161163041X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_PN4EDbMCDQ1CQ

Magic Mushrooms in Religion and Alchemy https://www.amazon.com/dp/0892819979/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_gO4EDb3KYSGN5

The Apples of Apollo: Pagan and Christian Mysteries of the Eucharist https://www.amazon.com/dp/089089924X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_FO4EDbH0C12RD

Krishna in the Sky with Diamonds: The Bhagavad Gita as Psychedelic Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00770DJRW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_2Q4EDb7AEKZ2F

You should try low doses of psilocybin mushrooms and work your way up as you become more comfortable; you'll definitely appreciate it. When I say low, I mean .25g, .5g, etc; continue until you sense that level of detachment you don't desire.

I also suggest reading Magic Mushrooms in Religion and Alchemy, by Clark Heinrich, and Food of the Gods, by Terrence McKenna(almost all his books are related and interesting, but this one is most relevant). I recommend these two because they deal with the influence of mushrooms, not exclusively psilocybin, on religion(theoretical, of course). The first, Magic Mushrooms in Religion and Alchemy, completely captivated me and initially inspired my entire interest in Philosophy, Religion, and drugs.

edit: I'd also like to point out that freaking out once due to smoking too much doesn't necessarily mean that you always will, it's purely psychological and you just have to be comfortable and feel safe.

I bet you would like this a lot - there's actually a subset of researchers that are convinced that Christianity was actually a mushroom cult and that Jesus himself was a hypoallergenic hallucinogenic mushroom - that's stretching it way too far but either way there are references in the bible to hallucinogen use which the book points out.

Anyways, these potent little suckers grow all over that region and John was exiled to Patmos, where he wrote Revelations. Presumably he did some foraging. The thing seriously reads like a trip report on erowid, haha. I heard this theory first on a BBC 4 program about Revelations, then on a podcast (I believe it was Reasonable Doubts), and I have come across it a number of times since.

EDIT: Struckthrough, spellcheck sucks sometimes

Some speculate that Norse berserkers used "magic mushrooms".

>Berserkers (or berserks) were Norse warriors who are reported in the Old Norse literature to have fought in a nearly uncontrollable, trance-like fury, a characteristic which later gave rise to the English word berserk. Berserkers are attested in numerous Old Norse sources. Most historians believe that berserkers worked themselves into a rage before battle, but some think that they might have consumed drugged foods.
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>Modern scholars believe certain examples of berserker rage to have been induced voluntarily by the consumption of drugs such as the hallucinogenic mushroom Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly Amanita, or massive amounts of alcohol. While such practices would fit in with ritual usages, other explanations for the berserker's madness have been put forward, including self-induced hysteria, epilepsy, mental illness or genetic flaws

The notion that A. muscaria was used to produce their berserker rages was first suggested by the Swedish professor Samuel Ödman, who based his theories on reports about the use of fly agaric among Siberian shamans, in 1784, though there is nothing in the old sagas suggesting that was the source for their battle frenzy, so many dispute the idea.

In The Sacred Mushroom and The Cross: A study of the nature and origins of Christianity within the fertility cults of the ancient Near East, the author, John Allegro, speculates that Christianity was founded on a secret Jewish mushroom cult. John Charles King disputes that assertion in A Christian View of the Mushroom Myth.

There's also Magic Mushrooms in Religion and Alchemy in which the
author, Clark Heinrich, states ancient cultures used them in rituals meant to bring them into direct contact with the divine and links them to to the symbols of ancient Judaism, Christianity, and the Grail myths. He argues that miraculous stories such as the burning bush of Moses and the raising of Lazarus from the dead can be attributed to the use of such mushrooms.

Ah, for science! Yes, that's the reason I used to buy them, it was for research :)

If you plan on the kind of science I think you're implying, be sure to heat treat them first. Heat causes a chemical reaction which decarboxylates the ibotenic acid that's present, converting it to muscimol in the fruitbody. Muscimol is the active component and is a fairly safe and entertaining way to spend the day. Ibotenic acid is not good for you so it is really an advisable idea to heat it. Every Fly Agaric I ever bought from a vendor was heat treated for this very reason, there is a HUGE difference between heat treated Fly Agarics and ones that are not.

The pioneering mycologist Gordon Wasson recommended roasting them over a flame, and traditionally they have been treated by stringing them up and letting sunlight do its thing on them. Apparently the UV rays help with the process, as does the CO2 in campfires. Many believe that the process can be done with baking and boiling as well, but my chemist friend insists this is not very effective. Here's a good bit of info, and if you feel like it try reading Magic Mushrooms in Religion and Alchemy, a book that explores the entire twelve thousand year history of this mushroom, all the way back to the holy texts of one of humanity's first religions, where monks would write about the best way to prepare the mushroom in order to merge with the mind of God. Easily one of the most fascinating books I have ever read.

No, it wasn't just about getting high. Look into R. Gordon Wasson, there's also books on the subject that draw parallels between religious visions and the psychedelic experience throughout history.
Mushrooms and Mankind: The Impact of Mushrooms on Human Consciousness and Religion

First off, not a plant! Is fungus.

Heat is the key to converting the ibotenic acid into muscimol. The difference, allegedly, is a nausea/coma vs a religious experience. Not deadly, though is a bit of a risk. Legend has it the heat of your body's metabolism is enough to make that conversion, and has been theorized as the method by which Jesus Christ turned water into wine, as well as raised Lazarus from the dead (wasn't dead, just prepared his mushrooms wrong). "Magic Mushrooms in Religion and Alchemy" by Clark Heinrich is an interesting read, definitely recommended before attempting this mysterious fungi.