Religion and spirituality appear to have co-evolved with a larger hominid brain capable of consciousness and a sense of agency.
Shamans [83] are often selected for having visions or signs from gods whilst going through trance states through a variety of procedures, which typically include hallucinogen/entheogen intake [64]. Religious/shamanic rituals are universally observed in all cultures, hence suggesting an evolutionary origin/survival value [84–88], with mild forms of schizophrenia possibly having enhanced shaman’s ability [89–91].
Entheogens (etymologically, ‘that which causes God to be within an individual’) are typically psychedelics/hallucinogens [92] which generate transcendental feelings and/or hallucinatory experiences being traditionally inter-preted as spirit visitations [93]. A variety of hallucinogenic mushrooms and plants, such as psilocybin mushrooms, Ayahuasca, peyote, cannabis, Salvia divinorum have been/are being used in rituals by shamans throughout the world [93–97]. Interestingly, club drugs (e.g. ecstasy and ketamine) have been associated in dance/party settings with a spiritual awakening of self-awareness; sense of liberation [98], and mystical experiences [99].
INQUIRIM VITAE 