Decentralized Decentralization: The Fight to Preserve Our Anthogenic Heritage and Protect the Psychedelic Renaissance
At the dawn of a new psychedelic age, the fight for the soul of our enthogenic heritage hangs in the balance. As powerful forces vie for control, the question remains: Will we unite to preserve our sacred right, or will we succumb to an artificial nightmare that undermines our very essence as sentient beings?
In the complex dance of life, humanity and psychedelics have always been partners, moving in harmony with the natural rhythm of the universe. This sacred journey, an integral part of our collective right, weaves the threads of awareness and self-discovery into a vital tapestry of existence. As sentient beings on this Earth, our essence is intimately connected to the planet we live on. When we embark on the mind-expanding trips that hallucinogens provide us with, we are not just immersed in a fleeting experience; We are reconnecting with our primitive roots.
To make illegal narcotics, substances that have coexisted with us since time immemorial, is to declare our essence illegal. The earth itself is our mother, our source, and the wellspring of all that we are. To criminalize the natural reward you provide is to deny our identity and sever the bond we share with the universe. In the unfolding story of our existence, the hallucinogen pathway is a vital chapter, the one that leads us to a deeper understanding of our place in this great celestial dance.
Flash of revolution, ember of hope
In an inexplicable turn of events, we Earthlings have come to trap ourselves in our own self-woven webs, the fine threads we call “government.” By this strange construct, we have taken the core of our planet, divided it up, assumed the role of dominoes, and exercised control over our own kind.
The 1960s was a time of great promise, a faint ember of revolution that seemed about to ignite the world. Dreamers like Leary, Dass, Watts, and McCain emerged as torchbearers, shaping the Western world in ways that are still not fully understood. These pioneers planted the seeds of freedom deep within the collective psyche, nurturing our inherent rights to expression, to create, and to simply be ourselves, without strings attached.
Their pioneering work laid the foundations for the eventual acceptance and legalization of cannabis, despite the heavy hand of government intervention through the Controlled Substances Act and the War on Drugs. Astoundingly, even under the massive pressure of this governmental force – Earth masquerading as something completely alien – we are now witnessing the resurgence of psychedelia, a new dawn on the horizon.
But this nascent psychedelic renaissance is not without its underlying shadows. Among the greatest threats to this burgeoning revolution is Big Pharma, the giant corporation that has set its sights on this ancient sacred material. If we fail to limit their influence, the long overdue revival could turn into an artificial nightmare, wrought upon humanity by the very hands that once sought healing.
The revival of interest in psychedelic research and treatment is a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, it draws renewed attention to the profound healing potential of these substances, revealing their potential to treat a wide range of mental health disorders, from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to depression.
But with that interest comes the risk of exploitation, as drug companies, driven by profit and hungry for control, seek to commodify and profit from these powerful tools of consciousness.
The danger lies in the ability of these companies to disavow these sacred materials, strip them of their essential connection to nature, and turn them into sterile, soulless synthetic compounds.
Not only would this transformation sever the bond between humanity and Earth, but it could also open an era of unforeseen consequences, as we interfere with the delicate balance of our minds.
To preserve the sanctity of psychedelics and protect their role in our collective journey, we must demand decentralization. We must resist the urge to cede control to homogeneous entities, to offer our essence as fodder for their insatiable lusts.
In the struggle for our minds and souls, we must assert our autonomy and reclaim our birthright as sentient beings, connected to the Earth and the universe beyond.
This does not mean that pharmaceutical research should not be conducted
It is important to note that pharmaceutical research can actually be informative to our understanding of psychedelics. Indeed, such research is more than welcome. We need cutting-edge science to delve deeper into these compounds and investigate their interactions with our psyche. The integration of AI could unlock the secrets of consciousness or spur interdisciplinary innovations that reshape our ways of thinking.
However, we should not give the pharmaceutical industry exclusive control over these powerful substances. By relinquishing our control and allowing them to have a monopoly on the drug, we risk eliminating our role in the unfolding narrative of these steroids.
Pharmaceutical companies and government regulators have not given us good reasons to trust them. Here are three real-world examples illustrating their flaws and betrayals:
-
The opioid crisis, fueled in large part by the aggressive and misleading marketing of Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin, has led to widespread addiction, countless overdoses, and devastating loss of life.
-
The approval of thalidomide in the 1950s and 1960s led to tragic birth defects due to inadequate testing and inadequate regulation.
-
The revolving door between government regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical industry, as we saw with the appointment of former Monsanto CEO Michael Taylor to the Food and Drug Administration, raises concerns about conflicts of interest and the prioritization of corporate interests over public health.
These examples (and there are many others) highlight the need to wrest control from those who might exploit drugs for profit or self-interest. It is this understanding that underpins my passionate advocacy for the repeal of the Controlled Substances Act and for the decentralization of power over these substances.
Drugs and other stimuli occupy a unique and vital place in our common human experience. To preserve their sanctity and ensure they remain accessible to all, we must advocate for a future in which these materials are free from the clutches of corporate and government control.
Can we find a balance? I think so!
Recognizing the use of entheogens as a basic human right is of paramount importance. These materials have always been intertwined with our collective spirit, inspiring religions, philosophies, and ideas across cultures and throughout history. To preserve this rich heritage, we must find a harmonious balance between individual freedom and corporate involvement.
The first step toward achieving this balance is to reach a global consensus that living things are truly a human right. Every adult should have the autonomy to decide what they do with their bodies. Anything less than this would undermine the concept of personal sovereignty, and place individuals in a state of servitude.
With this understanding, we can change our view of anti-drug policies, recognizing them as violations of our inalienable rights. This shift will require a massive restructuring of the way we approach the use and distribution of these materials.
We must advocate for the availability of microorganisms and free trade (except for those listed as endangered species) between individuals and small processes. Inspired by the proposed two-tiered cannabis community—one for local trade and another for national and international trade—we can envision a similar system for anthogens.
Clubs, congregations, and small farmers should have access to raw plant materials, fungi, roots, and the like, and should be allowed to process these heat materials into consumable forms such as beverages, food, and extracts. Meanwhile, drug companies can focus on large-scale production and drug development for those who want to reap the benefits of psychedelics without engaging in the full psychedelic experience—a demographic that far exceeds the number of active psychopaths.
The harmonious coexistence of individuals and large corporations is possible, but it requires us to stand up and claim our rightful share of the psychedelic landscape. If we do not assert our rights, we risk falling prey to the whims of profit-driven corporations, which may exploit our vulnerabilities and exploit government to force compliance.
In this age of shifting perspectives and renewed interest in the insect world, we have a unique opportunity to reshape the future of psychedelics. It is our duty to ensure that this future upholds the sanctity of these materials and honors the profound role they have played in our collective human journey.
from The Joe Rogan Experience interview with Dr. Andrew Hoberman, the quote that emphasizes the importance of acknowledging cultural artifacts in the conversation about psychedelics is:
“The classic psychedelic community isn’t going to like it; they’re like, ‘No, that’s botanical medicine;’ It has a history of a hundred thousand years or more, the indigenous population, etc. “Academia and pharmaceutical companies don’t care about that.”
This quote highlights our need, as individuals and as a society, to ensure that the cultural significance of drugs remains an integral part of the conversation. While the scientific community and pharmaceutical industry may focus primarily on potential profits and clinical applications, we must not forget the rich historical and cultural context in which these substances have played a pivotal role. By keeping this perspective at the forefront, we can work to preserve the sanctity of these organisms and ensure that their use remains accessible and respectful of the traditions from which they arose.
Adhesive bottom line
In conclusion, our shared human journey has been deeply intertwined with the use of entheogens, powerful substances that have been instrumental in shaping our cultures, religions, and philosophies. As we stand on the cusp of a new psychedelic renaissance, we must not let our collective heritage overshadow the interests of pharmaceutical companies or the narrow focus of scientific research.
The renewed interest in drugs provides a unique opportunity to redefine our relationship with these substances. We should strive for a harmonious balance that supports individual autonomy and respects the cultural significance of anthogenic practices. By creating a two-tiered system that allows local trade and individual access while still enabling large-scale research and production, we can create a future that honors the sanctity of these materials.
To achieve this future, we must come together as a global community and recognize the use of entheogens as a basic human right. This understanding will require a massive restructuring of our current approach to drug policy, with the goal of decentralizing oversight and ensuring that these substances are available to everyone who seeks them.
Now is the time to take a stand. If you believe in the sanctity of androgynous practices and the importance of preserving our collective heritage, join us in calling for these rights to be protected. He demanded a more compassionate and equitable approach to the use and distribution of narcotic substances, one that protects the cultural and spiritual significance of these substances for future generations. Together, we can create a future where our relationship with entheogens remains unbroken and their profound role in our shared human experience is honored and respected.
A wonderful cannabis newcomer, read on…
