WHAT ARE ENTHEOGENS?

Entheogens are drugs that have psychoactive effects. Trip aids, in other words. But embedded within a culture or religion. They are often local plants, used for the main purpose of spiritual development and alteration of consciousness. Several well-known and lesser-known psychedelics fall under entheogens. Read all about them here.

The definition of entheogens

Entheogens are 'substances that, when ingested, induce altered states of consciousness that have spiritual significance'. The word is derived from Greek, and means something like 'originating from the god within ourselves'. Traditionally, they are used in religious and spiritual rituals, with or without a shaman. Often, locals have been doing so for generations and their use is an integral part of their culture. They use entheogens not just for fun, but to get in touch with, for instance, their ancestors, the deceased or even god(s) and other invisible forces.

The best-known entheogens

There are an immense number of psychedelics. Some are made in the lab, like LSD. But many trip drugs have been growing in nature for centuries, where locals use them as entheogens. These are the best-known entheogens used by different cultures around the world.

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca originated in the Amazon, but is now found all over the world. As a result, you can now attend ayahuasca ceremonies in your area. During such a ceremony, you take a brew of this entheogen under the guidance of a shaman or master of ceremonies, either together with a group or on your own. A traditional ceremony consists of music and singing. And of vomiting and defecation, at least for most. Ayahuasca in fact often causes diarrhoea and nausea. This is seen as cleansing and part of the process. That is why there are buckets ready during such a ceremony. Ayahuasca is known to cause intense trips. You can get visions and revelations or enter into conversation with a deceased loved one.

Psilocybin: magic mushrooms and truffles

Mushrooms and truffles contain psilocybin, and that makes you trip. It was only in the 1950s that magic mushrooms were 'discovered' by Westerners during a trip through Mexico. While locals had been tripping on them for centuries. They come from the southern province of Oaxaca, but are now very easy to grow yourself with a grow kit or spores.

Iboga

Iboga is a plant used in a number of African countries in ritual trips such as initiation rituals. It can cause a very intense trip, where you are completely out of this world. And for quite a long time; it can last for up to two days. During such a ceremony, a large part of the community participates, including children. A shaman, music, singing and drumming accompany the tripping fellow villagers on their journey.

Yopo

Yopo is a tree from the South American Amazon forest that indigenous people traditionally use in spiritual rituals. In doing so, they actively seek contact with entities that cannot be seen or spoken to in a sober state. Think ghosts and ancestors. Yopo is said to open your so-called third eye, allowing you to see these energies.

Salvia

Salvia is not exactly an entheogen for beginners to tripping. In fact, this plant can cause intense hallucinations. A brew with the salvia plant is said to take you to the spirit world, where you can start your healing process. Unlike many other rituals involving entheogens, a salvia session involves undergoing the journey in silence and in the dark. The shaman trips along and acts as a kind of interpreter, translating visions into messages.

Peyote and San Pedro

In Mexico and the surrounding area, we find many cacti in addition to magic mushrooms. Among them are some very special cacti. Peyote and San Pedro cacti make you trip, thanks to the substance mescaline they contain. Indian tribes use them in religious ceremonies, but also to see into the future.

Entheogens on your own: go on a vision quest

Even without a shaman or jungle around, you can of course work with the god in yourself.

As a down-to-earth Dutchman, a solo trip with magic mushrooms is best classified as entheogen use. This is called a vision quest. In it, you consciously sit down for an inner journey. You go tripping on your own and look for insights that can help you move forward in life. Which entheogens you then take doesn't really matter. As long as it can give you answers to the questions you are currently facing.

Besides the examples above, there are many more trip aids that can be considered entheogens. As long as they are used for spiritual purposes and you find the god in yourself, we approve.