Psychedelics (serotonergic hallucinogens) are powerful psychoactive substances that alter perception and mood and affect numerous cognitive processes, according to one definition. They are generally considered physiologically safe and do not lead to dependence or addiction.
Harvard Divinity School recently organized a panel, “Psychedelics and the Future of Religion: The Curious Case of Integration,” delving into the complex intersection of psychedelics, spirituality and therapeutic integration. The panel offered rigorous and well-researched perspectives on how psychedelic experiences intersect with existential, spiritual and therapeutic realms, showcasing the evolving landscape of psychedelic research and the potential implications for religious and spiritual practices in integration.
What do psychedelics, entheogens and plant medicines have to do with religion and spirituality, in the past, present, and future? This series is now in its third year at the HDS. Topics have included: psychedelic science’s investment in quantifying “mystical” experience; psychedelic chaplaincy; the question of psychedelics in the ancient Mediterranean and Near East; indigenous plant medicine traditions, ancient and modern; peyote conservation efforts among the Native American Church and their legal challenges; etc. Many more topics remain to be explored, including the racial dynamics of the psychedelic underground, psychedelic exceptionalism, psychedelics and metaphysics, and the role of spirituality in psychedelic psychiatry.
We asked our panel: Can psychedelics play role in religion and spirituality?
The deeper path of true spirituality
Stephen R. Karcher, presiding priest, Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church
Some see the mystical experiences that Moses had with the burning bush, or that Paul had upon seeing Jesus on the road to Damascus as equal to psychedelic experiences, but the way of the Lord is different and much deeper than can be produced by chemicals.
Spirituality often transcends the ordinary and mundane, but it’s not merely about expanding consciousness or emotional healing, nor is it a result of any substance. Spiritual life involves genuinely connecting with Christ through the Holy Spirit. This encounter leads to profound transformation, characterized not by self-serving motives but by selflessness that’s distinguished by prayer for others, humility and love, even for enemies. That’s the essence of true spirituality, which isn’t about experiences but real-life transformation; not about escaping reality but diving deeper into it; choosing the path of light, love, and transformation, being guided by the Cross, the ultimate symbol of self-sacrifice and redemption.
Better ways to experience God
Nancy Lee Cecil, Baha’i teacher
Growing up in the ’60s and ’70s, friends shared their mind-expanding “spiritual” experiences with psychedelics; too many, however, offered horrific cautionary tales. A quote from renowned sociologist Jonathan Haidt suggests that “… there’s a God-shaped hole in our heart … that will quickly be filled with (modern society’s) garbage.” Consider: the “garbage” he refers to includes popular innocuous paths such as numerology, new age religions, and astrology — but also those as possibly risky as psychedelics.
All drugs are discouraged for Baha’is. The writings tell us they “… fasten on the soul so that the user’s conscience dies, his mind is blotted away, his perceptions are eroded …”
Knowing God and His purpose for us is the most difficult yet important journey any of us will ever undertake; there really are no shortcuts! Baha’is believe the best way to experience God entails studying the words of His Messengers and becoming immersed in nature — God’s creations.
Filled with the spirit
Bryan Smith, lead pastor, Summit Christian Church, Sparks
There are so many things that can influence our body — including various chemicals. However, we are called to be children of the light (Ephesians 5:8). The Bible is clear that those calling on the name of Jesus Christ are to walk in the way of wisdom. This includes the caution to “not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18)
If we’re not to get drunk on wine, this can be extended to any substance including psychedelics. Rather, we are to be filled with the Spirit. Why? Because the Holy Spirit brings healing, counsel and most importantly freedom. When we look outside the ways of God for freedom we’re trapped in bondage. When we walk in the ways of Jesus we’re filled with the Spirit and we find true life. Anything outside of this is settling for a distant second.
Yes
Kenneth G. Lucey, philosophy/religion professor emeritus, University of Nevada
It is just a historical fact that psychedelics play a role in specific existing religions. One such psychedelic is DMT, which is short for dimethyltryptamine. Considerable discussion of this issue can be found in Michael Pollan’s book entitled “How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence” (Penguin Books, 2018).
A specific religious practice employing plant versions of DMT is called “ayahuasca,” which originated in South America and is regularly practiced in California and elsewhere in the U.S.A. A detailed discussion of the rituals involved in ayahuasca are readily available on Wikipedia. An ayahuasca retreat may consist of different rituals and prayers prior to the ayahuasca ceremony. In such a ceremony participants usually consume three small servings of a plant based concoction, leading to an altered state of consciousness. Such may include hallucinations, out-of-body-experiences, euphoria, and sometimes “barfing.”
Not for spiritual use
Sherif A. Elfass, member, Northern Nevada Muslim Community
Islam prioritizes the health and well-being of its followers, who are entrusted by Allah (SWT) to take care of their bodies and maintain good health. Allah (SWT) said in the Quran: “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, stone alters, and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful” (5:90 and 2:219). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whatever causes intoxication in large amounts, a small amount of it is forbidden.”
That said, saving a life or healing an illness is seen as overriding almost all normal restrictions. Thus, Islamic scholars acknowledge the medical exception, permitting the use of such forbidden substances for therapeutic purposes and under supervision. Scholars were precise in their wording regarding this exception. The exception does not extend to self-medication or spiritual exploration. This framework ensures adherence to Islamic principles while accommodating necessary medical interventions.
With proper respects, yes
Toni King, spiritual leader, Unity Center of Reno
If done properly with a trained practitioner and there is potential for significant benefit, other than the legality of the issue I fail to see how restricting these rituals perpetuates decent society. These substances connect parts of the brain that normally do not communicate, offering deeper understanding of self, producing a mystical experience. I have found this subject matter fascinating and have even gone on my own “journey” with a certified, clinical professional. Still, as impressive as the research is, I would implore anyone to examine the integrity of any process before embarking on their own journey.
If we’re discussing spirituality, consuming ayahuasca with a shaman in Peru sanctifies a tradition thousands of years old that pop-up psychedelic churches in this country do not. IMO, there’s a lack of integrity at play when using the constitution’s religious protections to profit from a product by creating a religion where there once was none.
Psychedelics should not have a role
Daniel H. Mueggenborg, bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno
Human beings are divinely gifted with intellect, self-awareness, reason and other cognitive faculties specifically so that we can recognize, receive and understand God’s self-revelation and respond to that revelation in faith through the gift of free will. These distinctively human faculties function best when not interrupted or distorted by foreign elements such as psychedelics. Therefore, psychedelics should be avoided in general and specifically have no role in religion and spirituality.
Having said that, it should also be noted that despite the detrimental and distortive effect of psychedelics, it is possible that God can work through any circumstance to accomplish His will and communicate grace. As St. Paul reminds us, “Where sin abounds, Grace abounds all the more.” This reminder is not permissive of any mentally altering substances but rather a reminder that God’s grace can supersede any situation in exceptional circumstances. Caution dictates that exception should not become the rule.
They muddy the waters of the mind
Matthew T. Fisher, resident priest, Reno Buddhist Center
The Buddha created the fifth precept to guard against mind-altering substances. Buddhists seek clarity. Drugs scramble the mind — like muddy water. The Buddha’s answer to “How do we clarify muddy water?,” “Through stillness — as in Shamata meditation — we let obscurations of the mind fall-away revealing clarity.”
The name “psychedelic” is a misnomer — a slogan. The idea that inhibiting serotonin in the brain will somehow give you a window on the psyche is ludicrous. Drug culture and many sellers of these drugs claim they “produce expanded consciousness,” when in reality they are mind-distorting substances which can bring dangerous side effects and psychotic episodes. Buddhist teachings emphasize the importance of mindfulness, clear comprehension, and maintaining mental clarity. “Mindfulness is the way to Nirvana; intoxication the way to death.” The Buddha cautioned against mind-altering substances, because they hinder our ability to cultivate mindfulness and see reality as it is.
We can’t compromise righteousness away
Micheal L. Peterson, northwestern Nevada media specialist, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Psychedelics should play no role in religion. Artificially altering one’s mind through psychedelics is not proper or necessary to seek to know God’s word and to worship Him. Exactly the opposite is true; we must have full control of our minds and spirit in order to commune with God and hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost. It is a sad state for one to believe that they can better understand truth when they are under drugs or practices that control or alter their mind, all in the name of enlightenment.
And the most diabolical deceit of this infamy is that it denies evil to be an absolute. Our religion is one of absolutes and cannot be rationalized into a relativistic philosophy. We cannot rationalize away righteousness. Alexander Pope warned 200 years ago in his “An Essay on Man” that when we compromise with evil, evil always wins.
It’s an uncomfortable idea for me
Dawn M. Blundell, lead pastor, Epworth United Methodist Church, Fallon
As a child of the Jesus Movement ’70s and the “Just Say No” ’80s, I have no experience at all with psychedelics. I have never known anyone who has used them, beyond the occasional experiments with mushrooms. But I do know that using mind-altering substances is a part of traditional religious expression in many cultures. I have been reading with interest, too, about the successful use of hallucinogens like ketamine and MDMA to treat depression, anxiety and PTSD, which suggests they might be useful in freeing us from those things that cripple us spiritually as well as emotionally. But it makes me nervous.
Methodists have long been teetotalers, and our Social Principles strongly caution against substance use. With the caveat that I have more to learn, I prefer a spiritual life founded on unvarnished truth and courageous vulnerability to whatever might be achieved by a drug-facilitated dream state.
Safer, better options exist
ElizaBeth Webb Beyer, Jewish rabbi
Recent research finds psychedelics have possible therapeutic and spiritual uses. The desire for a more direct, less formalized approach to G-d, along with disenchantment with lengthy, formal worship, encouraged some rabbis to reach into the realm of the hallucinogenic. When Denver decriminalized “magic mushrooms,” Rabbi Ben Gorelick established a 270-person congregation for psychoactively-mediated connection to the transcendent. He says, “The goal is … to give people just enough of a threshold dose that they have that openness to connecting.”
Yet, many argue against it saying safer, better options exist to experience the divine. Fasting, chanting, prayer and meditation, along with study of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) has been the long-established path. Certainly trance, specifically spiritual hypnotherapy is another means. Spiritual journeys can be transformative, but our tradition warns that the results may be unexpected, or even tragic for someone unprepared or insufficiently supported (see the legend of Four Who Entered Paradise).
Next week’s topic: Why we need to practice patience — and when not to be patient?
Faith Forum is a weekly dialogue on religion produced by religious statesman Rajan Zed. Send questions or comments to rajanzed@gmail.com or on Twitter at @rajanzed.
