Many people have their own theories as to how the hell we evolved into upright-walking and thinking creatures. Some believe it was aliens tampering with our DNA, others believe it was gamma radiation from space and there are countless other theories flying around out there. But there is one that stands out and (if you take the time to listen rather than just laugh) that actually makes some sense. Terence McKenna proposes that our ancestors living on the grasslands of Africa ate Magic Mushrooms as part of their diet (which contain the active and non-toxic chemical Psilocybin which resembles ordinary human neurotransmitters already present in our brains) which stimulated our central nervous systems and the linguistic functions of our brains to give birth to culture, art and language. I am sure that sounds crazy to most of you, but anyone who has tried this or other similar mind-expanding substances will know how powerful and profound their effects can be. Psychoactive plants have had a long history of use dating back thousands of years in shamanic cultures all around the world, and there is plenty of historical evidence to support this, which this book presents.
McKenna also looks at how our species has always had a fascination with substances that alter our perception of the world, and looks at the damage that everyday drugs such as chocolate, caffeine, sugar, alcohol and tobacco cause in our society, and he also looks at how the CIA trafficked cocaine and heroin the the 20th Century. He argues that our species lost a deep connection with nature when we stopped using these sacred plants and believes we created alcohol to try and fill that spiritual void and need for ego-loss, mental stimulation and intoxication that only these plants that exist as part of our planet's natural eco-system can provide.
He also examines man-made psychedelics such as LSD, all the way through to the natural Mescaline-containing cactii and DMT and their use throughout history and the benefits that they would provide to individuals and society as a whole if they were legalised and seen for what they really are. Beyond that he goes into detail as to what the experiences that these substances provide actually mean, and the potential for expanding the human mind into seeing beyond our five senses and into higher dimensions and realities. There is little mention in this book of McKenna's machine-elf theory, but seeing as a lot of people will find that hard to swallow and that this is more of an introduction to psychedelic plants then that is best left to McKenna's other books and lectures to explain in further detail.
So, go on - open your mind a little! Even if you don't do drugs and are really against them then please read this book to understand why people do them. Terence McKenna is no crazy hippy or Timothy Leary-type advocating irresponsible use of these substances, he is an intelligent and funny guy with some brilliant arguments and an amazing knowledge of the subject (he is a botanist after all!) and his writing style is second to none. Highly recommended!
