Pubdate: Wed, 20 Sep 2006
Source: Manitoban, The (CN MB, Edu)
Copyright: 2006 The Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation
Contact:  http://www.themanitoban.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2665
Author: Melissa Hiebert, Staff

PURPLE HAZE

The Cultural And Historical Context Of Psychoactive Plants

It is a commonplace for individuals to think "drug culture" is a 
concept that was instigated in the more recent part of our 
civilization's history. However, before the vilification and 
prohibition of any and all mind-altering drugs, these plants held a 
profound cultural significance in many different societies. Drugs 
have a long history of use in many contexts, such as religious 
ceremonies, divination rituals, spirit journeys and recreation.

According to Dr. N. C. Kenkel's Medicinal and Hallucinogenic plants 
course notes, cocaine, for example, was widely used by the Incas in 
South America in its naturally occurring plant form. The plant, 
called the "divine coca," was considered property of the royal 
family. The traditional use of this plant involves picking about two 
ounces of the leaves, and chewing on them over the course of a day to 
produce a mild stimulating effect without the symptoms associated 
with cocaine abuse. In a traditional context, it was used to overcome 
hunger and fatigue and reduce altitude sickness.

Both the Aztec and Mayan civilizations of Central America and Mexico 
engaged in the use of numerous different species of psilocybin 
mushrooms, or rather, magic mushrooms. Often they were used for 
communication with the spiritual world and to diagnose different 
illnesses, but they also were used simply for recreational purposes. 
However, the invasion of the Spanish caused the shamanistic use of 
the mushroom to be pushed underground, as it was considered a 
heretical act, punishable by death.

And of course, everyone's favourite plant, marijuana, has a long 
history of use as well. It is one of the first plants to be 
cultivated by humans, with evidence of its use dating back 8,000 
years in Asia. At this time, it was used merely for the hemp fibres, 
and was not used as an inebriant in that region until about 2,000 
years ago. In India, the use of marijuana as an intoxicant was also 
well known. An old ayurvedic medical document dating back 3,500 years 
referred to cannabis sativa as "the sacred grass." The plant was also 
introduced to Africa, most likely as a medicine, and was also used in 
Mexico in religious ceremonies.

But it doesn't stop there. There are dozens of hallucinogenic plants 
that have been (and in some cases, still are) used in shamanistic or 
ceremonial context, many of which are virtually unknown to the 
western world. One example of this is ayahuasca, a vine species found 
in the Amazon region of South America, widely used in to evoke 
visions of other realms, and also for communicating with ancestors. 
Ayahuasca, which is made into a tonic, is usually drunk in large 
family groups. It is often said that when under the influence of the 
drug, people tend to experience a "collective unconsciousness" and 
telepathy, in addition to the hallucinogenic visions.

Unfortunately, the spiritual and cultural context that these plants 
stemmed from has largely been lost due to disparagement and misuse. 
Psychoactive plants have historically been (and can still be) used to 
aid spirituality, self-discovery, and to induce thought and the 
experience of a change in consciousness. The significance of an 
alteration in one's mental state is something to be appreciated and 
respected, rather than taken for granted and abused, consumed for the 
sole purpose of getting "messed up" (as often occurs in our society). 
As long as one understands the limitations and precautions of a 
certain plant and respects its physical and cultural significance, 
experimenting with one's own mental state can be a sacred, 
enlightening, and wonderful experience.

*The Manitoban does not endorse the use of any illegal substance.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine