Psychedelics vs. entheogens
don't trip out, but they are different
I am going to share a very personal story (cue trigger for mom and dad). Every spring at University of Vermont, the college has a celebration called Springfest, where famous bands come and play at the school. It’s basically a drug and alcohol - end of the year celebration dance party - and it was awesome.
Junior year, my friends and I decided to take LSD and MDMA, also known as candy flipping, and party like it was 1999. My roommate/best friend’s cousin came to visit and, at 18 and legal, she consented to herself taking LSD as well. We didn’t know much about her, but she seemed smart and together.
The outdoor concert with The Disco Biscuits was so fun and when it ended, a group of us went back to my apartment to get ready for a night of town parties. All of sudden we hear a thud in the other room.
My roommate’s cousin was having a seizure on the ground.
We were all on drugs and it was easily one of the scariest moments I have ever had. We thought we were watching someone die.
Luckily, we were cognizant enough to turn her on her side and call 911 immediately. My roommate was a wreck. When help got there, luckily she was stable and taken to get care.
All of a sudden, an old hippy paramedic walked in the door. He had a long white beard and colorful bracelets that stood out from his uniform.
He turned to us and asked, “Are you kids on drugs?”
Mortified over what had happened and wanting to be honest, we said yes.
He laughed and told us, “You did the right thing calling us. But, word of advice, next time, take from the earth, not the lab.”
I will never forget his light humor, but blunt message.
For anyone wondering what happened to the girl, she was perfectly fine with no lasting impacts or memory of the incident. Turns out, she was taking lithium and did not disclose this to my roommate (for a myriad of reasons I will not share here). Although it was not our job to know, it changed how I approached taking psychedelics forever.
DISCLAIMER: Let me be very clear. This was not to scare anyone from psychedelics. LSD and psychedelics are not dangerous. But, when mixed with other chemicals, anything man-made from a lab can be. You should never take a chemical (that includes alcohol) without making sure it does not counteract with your medication.
So, why am I telling this story? Well, at a mere 20 years old, it made me realize that there needs to be proper intention when taking drugs or psychedelics. It can’t be for some recreational party; it needs to be for inward expansion. But also, that what comes from the lab is different than what comes from the earth. The chances of reacting to medicine like shrooms or cannabis like that are next to none. So, if I am to take a chemical substance, it needs to be done responsibly. And most importantly, the stigma surrounding them is not okay.
So, let’s be clear. Psychedelics are made in a lab. Entheogens grow from the earth.
As happy as I am that there is a psychedelic renaissance right now, there is also misinformation being spread. By labeling all conscious shifting plant/fungal medicine as psychedelic, we are dishonoring the true intention behind taking them.
And so, this article is to differentiate psychedelics from entheogens.
What are entheogens?
en·the·o·gen /enˈthēəjen, enˈthēəˌjenik/ noun: a chemical substance, typically of plant origin, that is ingested to produce a non-ordinary state of consciousness for religious or spiritual purposes.
Entheogen is an intentional word to de-stigmatize the use of healing plant medicines for higher connection. These are conscious shifting substances, typically used in cultural rituals and for spiritual enlightenment. They are not tune in, turn on, drop out psychedelic drugs.
DoubleBlind Magazine said it best:
‘Entheogen’ is rebranding psychedelics, evoking the language of divine medicine.
Entheogen literally translates to “creating the divine within.” They are spiritual medicines that bridge the gap between indigenous cultures and modern science. Such plants and fungi (also animal medicines) have long been used to induce altered states of consciousness and sensory experiences during religious or spiritual practices.
Examples would be:
Ayahuasca (a brew of multiple plants)
Peyote
5-MeO-DMT from Bufo alvarius
Psilocybe mushrooms
Cannabis
Fly Agaric mushrooms
African Dream herb and root
Datura
Bolivian and Peruvian torch cactus
Hawaiian baby woodrose seed
Iboga
Mad honey
Salvia
Yopo
San Pedro
Nyakwána
What are psychedelics?
For this section, I decided to give my own definition and view of psychedelics. I like to classify psychedelics as psychotropic man-made substances that help with mental health. They’ve shown to offer powerful benefits towards various disorders, such as, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, grief, and addiction. They are being used in clinical settings to revolutionize the human condition.
In the past, psychedelics have been branded as youthful party substances, but now, people are waking up to using them with proper intention. They are finally getting the recognition they need to help improve mental health across the globe.
Examples would include:
LSD
Ketamine
MDMA
Mescaline
DMT
What makes them similar?
According to Tripsitter:
Psychedelics work by changing the balance of neurochemicals. They alter the way information is transferred throughout the brain — causing hallucination, euphoria, and other cognitive changes.
Depending on what neurotransmitters are affected will determine the individual effects of a psychedelic compound.
Entheogens and psychedelics have similar effects. Each substance creates a different, and completely unique experience to the individual. Both can target the same receptors.
We can separate how each psychedelic works by its target receptors:
5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptors — LSD, DMT, psilocybin, mescaline
Kappa-opioid receptors — Salvinorin A
Dopamine D2 receptors — Bath salts
Cholinergic pathway — Datura, borrachero, brugmansia
Both can change our mental health and perception of our world. They can dissolve the ego and be a powerful tool for self-growth and expansion.
How can we honor entheogens and use psychedelics properly?
Quoted directly from myself on another Substack I wrote:
The truth is the psychedelic movement is here to stay. They have become a globalized commodity. It's a hot button subject that even the New York Times is covering and we're just not going to go backwards from this point. So, what we can do is instead of getting angry and trying to remove these substances from modern society? Well, we can educate how to properly take these medicines and how to use them with cultural competency and ritualistic knowledge.
Most importantly, we have to create a system where we are incorporating indigenous reciprocity into this globalization. Maybe its through direct compensation? Or maybe it is giving more cultures the opportunity to educate in modern settings? Or maybe it is making sure that anyone healing in western settings donates a portion of their earnings? Or maybe it is a deeper look into harvesting and sustainability of the medicines? Or maybe it is making sure that modern shamans are spending time with the plants for extended periods of time before offering healing? Or maybe it is simply more education educated on the cultural rituals? Or maybe its about localizing plant medicines to reduce exploitation and carbon footprints?
When it comes to entheogens, we need to honor that the knowledge of how to take these medicines comes from indigenous tribes. When it comes to psychedelics, we should be safe by utilizing practitioners or educating ourselves on how to take these substances mindfully.
What does my work have to do with this?
This platform will talk about entheogens because a lot of my ethnobotanical work is with entheogenic plants. To prevent plagiarism and misappropriation, I will wait to share the details of some of my upcoming work. But, I will give a sneak preview where I will be traveling for work this year: As I begin a long entheogenic plant career journey, I will be in Brazil mid 2023, working alongside my dear friend and local partner Dahvii Shiva to connect with the Kaiowa Guarani in Mato Grosso do Sul, the Huni Kui in Acre and the Yawanawá in Gregório River Indigenous Land.
I am here to be a voice for the plants. But, I am also here to educate and help remove stigmas around uncomfortable subjects. I am happy to be honest that I have indulged and journeyed with conscious shifting medicines and…had youthful party experiences. But, they all have helped me in their own way.
From psilocybin, I have been able to deal with micro-traumas as I call them. Such as the death of my grandmother, issues with intimacy, relationship questions, communication with nature, and overall self love.
From cannabis use, she has helped me escape my social anxiety and just calm my overactive mind. Not to mention, using CBD for topical pain.
From ayahausca, I have discovered what my purpose is here on earth.
From kambo, I have purged emotional and physical impurities.
From mescaline, I have felt a grounded euphoric connection to the planet.
From MDMA, I found community and music, and truly let myself be free to dance and be myself.
From LSD, I have laughed harder than I ever have, dove into my creativity and connected to my friends on deeper levels.
And guess what? This is only the beginning of my journey. I plan to explore further, inspire others to simply let go, break down stigmas and normalize these uncomfortable conversations.
Very enlightening!!