Friday, October 20, 2006
Psychedelic drugs
The November 2006 Scientific American reports the results of a test conducted with psilocybin, the active ingredient of so-called magic mushrooms. In the double-blind controlled study, 36 volunteers took the drug, and 24 rated the subsequent experience as "among the most meaningful of their lives, comparing it with the birth of a first child of the death of a parent".
Charles Schuster (Wayne State University) is quoted in the article as saying: "Animals will take all the drugs that humans abuse, but they do not self-inject... psychedelics. This is a uniquely human phenomenon." I think this reflects on how fundamentally different humans are from most animals. We operate without instincts and therefore must change the world around us to suit our needs. We are the only organisms that do this to a major degree. I find it very telling that we appear to be the only animals that enjoy--or at least voluntarily endure--the effects of psychedelic drugs.
Charles Schuster (Wayne State University) is quoted in the article as saying: "Animals will take all the drugs that humans abuse, but they do not self-inject... psychedelics. This is a uniquely human phenomenon." I think this reflects on how fundamentally different humans are from most animals. We operate without instincts and therefore must change the world around us to suit our needs. We are the only organisms that do this to a major degree. I find it very telling that we appear to be the only animals that enjoy--or at least voluntarily endure--the effects of psychedelic drugs.
