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[[File:Flowering San Pedro cactus.jpg|200px|thumbnail|right|Flowering San Pedro, an entheogenic cactus that has been used for over 3,000 years<ref>http://www.mescaline.com/sanpedro/</ref>]]
[[File:Flowering San Pedro cactus.jpg|200px|thumbnail|right|Flowering San Pedro, an entheogenic cactus that has been used for over 3,000 years<ref>http://www.mescaline.com/sanpedro/</ref>]]
An '''entheogen''' ("generating the divine within")<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/entheogen</ref> is a [[psychoactive substance]] used in a religious, shamanic, or spiritual context<ref>http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-89132008000500010&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en</ref> that may be synthesized or obtained from natural sources. Jonathan Ott helped coin the term "entheogen".<ref>The Road to Eleusis (2008) By R. Gordon Wasson, Albert Hofmann, Carl A. P. Ruck, Huston Smith pg. 139</ref>
'''Entheogens''' ("generating the divine within")<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/entheogen</ref> are [[psychoactive substances]] used in a religious, shamanic, or spiritual context<ref>http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-89132008000500010&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en</ref> that may be synthesized or obtained from natural sources. Jonathan Ott is credited with coining the term "entheogen".<ref>The Road to Eleusis (2008) By R. Gordon Wasson, Albert Hofmann, Carl A. P. Ruck, Huston Smith pg. 139</ref>


Entheogens have been used in a ritualized context for thousands of years and their religious significance is well established with anthropological and academic literature. Examples of traditional entheogens include [[psychedelics]] like [[Lophophora williamsii (botany)|peyote]], [[psilocybin mushrooms]], [[ayahuasca]], and [[iboga]]; atypical [[hallucinogen]]s like [[salvia]] and ''[[Amanita muscaria]]''; quasi-psychedelics like [[cannabis]]; and [[deliriants]] like [[datura]].  
Entheogens have been used in a ritualized context for thousands of years and their religious significance is well established with anthropological and academic literature. Examples of traditional entheogens include [[psychedelics]] like [[Lophophora williamsii (botany)|peyote]], [[psilocybin mushrooms]], [[ayahuasca]], and [[iboga]]; atypical [[hallucinogen]]s like [[salvia]] and ''[[Amanita muscaria]]''; quasi-psychedelics like [[cannabis]]; and [[deliriants]] like [[datura]].  

Revision as of 21:32, 3 April 2019

Flowering San Pedro, an entheogenic cactus that has been used for over 3,000 years[1]

Entheogens ("generating the divine within")[2] are psychoactive substances used in a religious, shamanic, or spiritual context[3] that may be synthesized or obtained from natural sources. Jonathan Ott is credited with coining the term "entheogen".[4]

Entheogens have been used in a ritualized context for thousands of years and their religious significance is well established with anthropological and academic literature. Examples of traditional entheogens include psychedelics like peyote, psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, and iboga; atypical hallucinogens like salvia and Amanita muscaria; quasi-psychedelics like cannabis; and deliriants like datura.

With the advent of organic chemistry, there now exist many synthetic drugs with similar psychoactive properties, many of which are derived from these plants. Many pure active compounds with psychoactive properties have been isolated from these respective organisms and synthesized chemically. These include the naturally occurring mescaline, psilocybin, DMT, salvinorin A, ibogaine, ergine, and muscimol, the semi-synthetic LSD, and synthetic substances (e.g., DPT used by the Temple of the True Inner Light and 2C-B used by the Sangoma).[5]

More broadly, the term entheogen is used to refer to any psychoactive substance used for its religious or spiritual effects, whether or not in a formal religious or traditional structure. This terminology is often chosen to contrast with the recreational use of the same substances. Studies such as the Marsh Chapel Experiment have documented reports of spiritual experiences from participants who were administered psychoactive substances in controlled trials.[6] Ongoing research is limited due to widespread drug prohibition; however, some countries have legislation that allows for traditional entheogen use.

See also

References