Is there any sort shrooms’ prohibition, wouldn’t that to their neighbors, and religions think maybe be reason enough to do so? And they own the truth. Empathy for ‘other of non-clinical there is good evidence of yes, on some people’ is the one commodity the world of that – in those same publications of really needs. It would be great if we use of renowned researcher R. Griffith’s that could create at least a modicum of it.” David Rose (Rose, 2011) critiqued. Psilocybin or shrooms, used within mushrooms that Griffiths et al., at Johns Hopkins established religions, would seem to be University, have published five papers one possible way. could be safe, on individual, non-religious use of The only study of religious group- beneficial, psilocybin by middle-agers (Griffiths, use of psilocybin has been The Marsh 2006; 2008; 2011; Johnson, 2014; Chapel Experiment run back in ‘62 and legalized? MacLean, 2011). They found that by and psilocybin sessions, music-backed in a (Pahnke, 1963; Doblin, 1991 – for a religiosity-free setting, give mystical- critique). Their purpose was to see if type experiences that inspire long term theology students, taking a psilocybin empathy, kindness, and openness. pill in a religious setting, would have Those are the feelings and behaviors mystical experiences and positive that religions teach, but psilocybin changes in attitudes and behavior. And serves those up more lastingly and most did. That experiment, though, viscerally than sermoning. Thus, came off as a rather poorly planned psilocybin, or shrooms, might seem to muddle through. Pahnke thought deserve some place in religion. Griffiths he could run a double-blind study, studied only individual use – with each using 20 acquainted divinity students, person blindfolded, headphoned (for in a church basement – half getting music) and lying on a sofa. Religious a psilocybin pill and the other half use, though, might best be done, as it a placebo (nicotinic acid) – while long has been, via open-eyed, open- maintaining a pious decorum. But no eared, group-use, of shrooms. Many want trial run was made. Pahnke had never psilocybin restricted to research, medical tried either psilocybin or shrooms. use and therapy, so shrooms, for religious Leary had never experienced traditional use, would likely be less opposed than religious use of either. And Leary was psilocybin would – and nature has gifted rushed – it was publish-or-perish and us with more than 100 species. mounting-complaints. Their design Empathy, i.e. sensing what another failed because the effects of their fast- feels, is perhaps the key emotion acting placebo were so unlike those of needed for cooperation, community, psilocybin. The 10, who got nicotinic and just getting along with others. The acid, felt nothing mystical and spent primatologist, Frans de Waal, in his their hours whispering, talking, joking, book The Age of Empathy (de Waal, and wandering about – distracting some 2009) examined how empathy comes of the psilocybin group into giggle-fits naturally to a great variety of animals. and pissing into urns. All were kept, in William Harrison As he wrote of its origin, “Empathy goes that chapel basement, with no ritual t’s been about four years now since back far in evolutionary time, much or ceremony to see. The service was FUNGI’s fine coverage of Psilocybe further than our species. It probably piped in (audio only), but the topic (volume 4, no.3). There was much started with the birth of parental (death, etc.) prompted two of the Iin that issue, in the way of history, care. During the 200 million years of psilocybin-10 to escape. And one had to lore, science, and praise, but nothing mammalian evolution, females sensitive be dragged back and given a Thorazine about undoing their prohibition. Many to their offspring out reproduced those injection, as tranquilizer. That setting treasured their use, but has there ever who were cold or distant. Females who was disinspirational, distractive, and been evidence of benefit? Is there any failed to respond never propagated disruptive. And much because of that, sort of non-clinical use that could be their genes.” Later he adds, “I’d be all of today’s psilocybin researchers safe, beneficial, and legalized? One reluctant to radically change the human seem to have shifted to studying that likely could prevent the foolish condition. But if I could change one single-subject use, in religiosity-free misuse, and accidents, that still occur? thing, it would be to expand the range settings, with each subject blindfolded, Lots of bad advice, about psilocybin of fellow feeling. The greatest problem headphoned and confined to a sofa – mushrooms (“shrooms”), is still in books today . . . is excessive loyalty to one’s the format that Griffiths introduced. and on the web. Is there any way to own nation, group, or religion. Humans Religious group-use of Psilocybe has counter that? If there were an honest are capable of deep distain for anyone been going on in Mexico since before yes to all of those, or if curing those who looks different or thinks another Cortez invaded. Mazatec veladas, a problems could be woven in with ending way . . . Nations think they are superior survival of pre-conquest use, were FUNGI Volume 9:1 Spring 2016 13 first revealed in a 1957 LIFE magazine never get its point. We are receptive Three of us (Ronny, Roger, and I) had article “Seeking The Magic Mushroom” only because of our evolved grasp of met up in Bali for a 3-week vacation. At by Gordon Wasson (Wasson, 1957) the value of relationships, the benefits about 4:00 p.m., we each ate one strong- – an amateur ethnomycologist and of cooperation, the need for trust and dose omelet of Copelandia cyanescens – vice-president of J. P. Morgan & Co. honesty, and so on. Even our sense of and started a walk up the beach. Effects He described lots more of his doings fairness derives from this background.” began in about 45 minutes and were in his book The Wondrous Mushroom In support of that, there is considerable pretty strong within two hours. At about (Wasson, 1980). Mazatec veladas are similarity in how we humans act as 7:00 pm there was a gorgeous sunset done in rooms, at night, with just a few compared to other primates and dogs. and, within another hour, the moon and candles to illuminate – and separate All those rely on leadership hierarchies stars were shining brightly – with just mats for each to lie on. In the flickering and elites (oft birth-determined but an occasional passing cloud blacking dark, the curandera uses chanting, replaceable by force), behavioral rules, out an almost full moon. As time humming, and ritual to do requested group allegiances, group cooperation, passed, a feeling of awe began growing divinings. Might it be possible, though, and all show capacities for fairness and within me. I slowly realized that I was to use veladas differently? Griffiths justice. All empathize, sympathize, and in a giant cathedral with a Holy Service showed that mystical experience, caused show altruism – occasionally to the soon to begin. The moon became a well- by psilocybin, inspires those positive extent of sacrificing one’s life for another. defined face, with changing expressions. behaviors. So might it not be possible Many participate in in-group care of the It looked to be the face of God. As the to substitute teaching for divining, young, show willingness to care for the Service was starting, I waded out into add some combination of chanting, injured, ill, and handicapped, and almost the water – out about 40 feet to where humming, music and ritual, and get that all dislike inequity. it was just above my knees. The ocean mystical experience to better promote With evolution providing such a well- was pretty calm, but one to two foot those positive behaviors? Just talking evidenced explanation of how both we, waves splashed in at regular intervals. to the beshroomed, distracts and can and our core moralities, were created, All those stars, above, now seemed to cause giggle-fits. So, talks might best be it’s surprising that so many still attribute be parts of Him too – as was that ocean given before shroom-taking or in that both to some invisible, undetectable, around, and embracing, me. God was 40 minutes, or so, afterwards – before unknowable. Can’t we just allow God everywhere and everything. effects start. Talks could be aimed at to be physically real? No wonder some I raised my hands, in prayer and motivating via beliefs that are, like: throw up their hands, walk away, and thankfulness, and hummed several long kinship with life on earth, creator, become raving atheists. Shouldn’t at hymns of praise. By adjusting tempo creation, purpose, obligations, et cetera. least one of our religions be honoring and phrasing, the breaking of waves, And scientific truth could be respected. our human ancestral lines, along and the roll-in of surf, became a lovely Science does have lots to say about with those of all sentient creatures, part of each – a duet led by Him and creation and cause. all the way back to single-celled life, His waves. And we repeated the best of In his most recent book, The Bonobo as the creative entities essential to those over and over. My friends yelled, and the Atheist (de Waal, 2013), Frans our creation? And shouldn’t we have, many times, for me to get out, but I de Waal discusses the implications of at least, some occasional religious was OK . . . not just OK, I was utterly his primate studies in understanding the ceremony to celebrate life’s creator: enraptured. For about 10 minutes or origin of human morality and modern The Universe and all nature’s ancestral so, before the Service began to fade religion. Many religious folks claim lines? And what better, as a sacrament, out, God gave me a lecture, through my that our morality derives from God’s for special celebration and bettering, own lips, as to what my responsibilities commandments, Bible teachings, and than a sacrament that pushes empathy, were, what I’d not been doing, and what Sunday sermons. Many philosophers kindness, and openness – but, hopefully, I’d better start doing. Soon after that, claim, though, that our morality is with enough supervision so that good though, I did have doubts. That speaker, derived intellectually, by reason, and intent doesn’t get derailed, once again, who was using my voice, might have from the wisdom and teachings of by misguidances like “tune in, turn on, been God, but couldn’t it have been philosophers. A growing number of drop out,” “if you feel afraid, just take just my conscience, or some imagined biologists, like de Waal, though, point more,” or “why not for probing even (or real) words from my deceased to our ancestral lines, and evolution by your most hurtful sorrows?” mother or father, or perhaps even from natural and sexual selection, as the core Shrooms have taught us much, as to Copelandia? We are related to all fungi source of our morality. Religion has how not to use them, and more than through some long-ago ancestor. That added to, elaborated, and reinforced the enough for us to make lots better, and speaker never did identify himself, so morality that evolution has provided safer, use of them. Certainly, many have how am I to know? But just the thought us but, as de Waal writes, “Thank God, puzzled over and about them, how best that that may have been any one of if I may, we share with other primates to handle them, and their possible uses. those does stay with and intrigues me. a background as group animals, which In my case, ever since a day, back about Of course, I kept all that a secret for makes us value social connections. 1980 on Kuta beach, in Bali, Indonesia. many years – as I suspect most others Absent this background, religion could That was my first strong-dose encounter would too. Might that also have been be preaching about virtue and vice – one that left me with a life-long a shroom-assisted revelation that God until it became blue in the face, we’d interest in them. is The Universe? It seems to me now 14 FUNGI Volume 9:1 Spring 2016 that The Universe is very much what but just for three: etc.) can not be legally prescribed for God is, but it took me several more (1) By getting drug possession anything but medical needs – and years to become convinced of that. This decriminalized for small amounts. A getting normalcy declared a disease or business of Psilocybe, psilocybin, and recent poll shows majority support, in injury likely won’t work either. other conjuring up religious New Hampshire, for a referendum to (3) By challenging the prohibition peak-life experiences may not be all that decriminalize drug possession for small of shrooms, in federal court, under the uncommon. Professor Griffiths, of Johns amounts of all drugs. Even if that passes, Religious Freedom Restoration Act Hopkins, is currently heading up a web- though, it may be years (if ever) before (RFRA). The religious use of ayahuasca based research study on that (http://flyer. similar referenda get passed in other has been made legal, in that way, for psychedelicencounteringthedivine.org/). states, producing and selling would still two Brazilian-Christian religious To me, that was the most amazing of be illegal, and all would still be federally sects – the Uniao Do Vegetal sect in my 12, or so, shroom trips. From what illegal – but aren’t there at least a few New Mexico and the Santo Daime I’ve later learned, though, I wouldn’t drugs that might best be kept illegal, in Oregon. (Ayahuasca is a vine and advise, or repeat, any such water walk. even for small amounts, both statewise leaves extract used as a sacrament by With strong-doses, safety demands and federally? shamans all across the Amazon basin we stay out of water and avoid heights (2) By getting psilocybin FDA- in South America – and also by several (wells, cliffs, balconies, bridges etc.), approved for medical use. Approval of Christian sects in Brazil. It is similar in crowds, and traffic. Not doing so risks psilocybin, for medical use, may come effect to shrooms, but vomit inducing.) accidents or worse. In my case, I was within the next year or two. Perhaps Peyote was made legal to all members in full (?) physical control . . . except someday (years? decades?) psilocybin, of the Native American Church (and for that voice, that wasn’t. Lots safer, shrooms, or both, might also be OK’d only to them) long before RFRA, but especially for first-few timers, would be for doctor-prescribed use at religious most all ongoing disputes, as to peyote supervised, closed-door veladas that events, festivals, or recreational outings use under federal law, are now litigated teach safe use and inspire good. But – but lots more likely, they won’t be. under RFRA. shrooms are currently prohibited all Most Schedule 2 drugs have been The easiest path, to religious over the USA. So, how to get religious approved for medicinal needs. Those group-use, would seem to be via that group-use of shrooms even tried? that happen also to be popular illegal challenging of prohibition in federal There could be several possible ways, drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, court. But how to get started? Shroom

FUNGI Volume 9:1 Spring 2016 15 use is illegal, but there is nothing that theology school would, with FDA disconnect and a need for integration. prohibits velada crafting, or doing – so approval, research religious group- He or she may well feel humility, long as it is done without shrooms. use of some Psilocybe species as to its but it arises not out of a sense of And such could be a useful start for possible usefulness to their ministry worthlessness but rather out of awe and working out how, gathering support for, – and, if useful, train some ministers in reverence.” And Richards does value encouraging research on – or for just conducting such services. That could “integration.” On page 139 he writes, gathering religious groups that might establish a source of trained ministers, “Simply prescribing an as a later care to challenge prohibition help protect from clowns and pied purely chemotherapeutic medication under RFRA. pipers, and make it easier for sincere appears unlikely to be helpful for very For any who might care to work groups to get religious-use legalized many people.” And he goes on, “. . . it out some new sans shrooms (“s-s”) under RFRA. The theology school is not the simple administration of the veladas (setting, teaching, chanting, most involved with that Marsh Chapel psychedelic substance that promotes music, ritual, etc.), the yearly Telluride Experiment was Andover Newton healing and facilitates personal and Mushroom Festival would be a fine Theological Seminary in Newton, spirited maturation; it is the discrete place for performing them. Such Massachusetts. Walter H. Clark, who states of consciousness that are skillfully could be set up at night, with 20 or taught Psychology of Religion there, facilitated and experienced during the so invited to join an hour of music- procured most of the theology student period of entheogen action and their filled s-s communion – but hopefully volunteers from there. Thus, there subsequent memory and integration not on a theater stage. Any such might be more interest in doing such that constitutes the effective healing performances that impress, in spite research at Andover Newton, than principles.” But on page 149, he of no shrooms, might well deserve elsewhere. If interested in inquiring, or undermines that a bit with evidence the interest of researchers. Group possibly supporting such work, Andover that religious use (sans-integration) of ceremonies, with night-location and Newton’s current President is The Rev. several entheogens (ayahuasca, peyote, time, could be advertised via fliers or Martin B. Copenhaver. and psilocybin) can cure addictions. TMF announcements. And it would Or might at least one of the medical Actually, no research has as yet been help if groups could video their doings, schools, currently researching individual reported that shows that those weeks beforehand, and get a website set up use of psilocybin, help guide (by maybe of integration even contribute usefully. for showing them. Such a website just one or two in-house trials?) some Thus, researchers may be rather could be helpful to researchers, future religious school towards religious undervaluing psilocybin. And that velada-demo groups, religious-use group-use? Most all the research that interviewing and probing of memories groups that might wish to challenge Johns Hopkins does or has done, with could be seen as being a bit invasive. As prohibition, and even those federal psilocybin, involves a regime that Richards writes on page 188, “Typically judges who may someday be deciding requires up to three weeks of pre-use during this period, spread out over at whether or not religious group-use of talk-sessions for building trust and least one or often two or three weeks, shrooms is to be allowed, under RFRA. bonding – along with digging up and one’s life history is shared in confidence, Telluride’s Mushroom Festival would probing hurtful memories – for a sort including important relationships, also be a fine venue for talks and panels of psychotherapy-lite. Researchers career developments, religious or on religious group-use: safe formats there call that “integration” and seem non-religious history and present for doing, how best to get those tested to consider it important. Bill Richards orientation, travel experiences, and any and researched, and how best to go (Hopkins’ only psilocybin researcher unique traumas or accomplishments about legalization. Those who’d likely having both theology and psychology that have occurred thus far in life.” And be full of ideas and wisdom would degrees), in his recent book Sacred such probing is not done just with the include Bob Jesse (a former VP at Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious troubled, but with all. Asking intimate software giant Oracle), Paul Stamets Experiences (Richards, 2015), describes questions could have downsides. What (author of Psilocybin Mushrooms of it as follows: “What we call integration if a person lies, imagines, or dreams the World), Roy Haber (that lawyer seems to entail a repetitive, intentional some previous touching, or rape, and who got ayahuasca approved, under movement within awareness between the guide phones the police? We did RFRA, for the Santo Daime), Kat memories from alternative states of have a McMartin preschool trial, here Harrison, Gary Lincoff, Mike Young consciousness and the demands and in Los Angeles, back in 1983. Five (a Unitarian Universalists minister opportunities of everyday existence, of the McMartins and three of their who was one of those psilocybin 10 including former habits of thought and teachers were charged with 321 counts in that ) action that may feel out of sync with of child abuse involving 48 children. and perhaps others of that Marsh the new knowledge or self-concept. After a seven-year trial, and years of Chapel psilocybin-group. Any emails For instance, the person who has jail time for some, all were ultimately or petitions in support of particular suffered from alcoholism and who acquitted or not convicted. If clinical topics or people might best be sent during the action of an entheogen has psilocybin is ever to go big-time, to the Telluride Mushroom Festival’s experienced a sense of unconditional either in clinics or retreat centers, it Executive Director (and Editor of love and acceptance cannot return to might be good if those would shift to FUNGI) Britt Bunyard. the former feelings of low self-worth some combination of just interview, It would help if at least one respected and wallow in them without feeling a questionnaire, and medical tests for 16 FUNGI Volume 9:1 Spring 2016 picking out those who really do need places, in handling bad trips and visitors and R. Jesse, 2011. Psilocybin occasioned the intimate probing – and, for those better instructed in how to avoid bad mystical-type experiences: immediate who don’t, maybe at least offer a one trips – or worse (e.g. by just never using and persisting dose-related effects. or two session, self-integrative, option? MDMA for dancing – or any other Psychopharmacology (Berlin) 218: 649- Would that Johns Hopkins could pills that one is not sure of as to their 665. Posted at: http://link.springer.com/ at least help guide religious group- content, purity, safety, and legality). And article/10.1007%2Fs00213-011-2358-5. use of shrooms towards a religious with minister leadership, perhaps yet Harrison, W.F. 2011. Magic mushrooms humanism of bolstered kindness, one other SGM project could be to hire and allowed use abroad. FUNGI empathy, openness, and achievement. a good lawyer and challenge the federal 4(3): 41-60. But is Johns Hopkins’s commitment prohibition of shrooms, for religious Johnson, M.W., W.A. Richards. R.R. to do (or pressure from above to do?) use at that particular church, under Griffiths. 2008. Human hallucinogen “integration for all” just too strong RFRA. With the right sort of minister, research: guide lines for safety. Journal to allow that? A positive evaluation, congregation, and support, all that of Psychopharmacology 22 (6): 603-620. based just on interview, questionnaire could be done. Posted at: http://www.csp.org/psilocybin/ and medical tests (Addendum 2) could WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? You HopkinsHallucinogenSafety2008.pdf. be all that’s required – if healthy and can find additional information at the Johnson, M.W., A. Garcia-Romeu, M.P. untroubled – for religious group- FUNGI website, fungimag.com, see: Cosimano, and R.R. Griffiths, 2014. use participation. And, at least the Part II. Psilocybin mushrooms and Pilot study of the 5–HT2A R agonist healthy and untroubled, might best be religious experience: Let’s start the psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco allowed to experience their group-use adventure. You can also take part in addiction. Journal of Psychopharmacology wonderment pretty much on their own this discussion at the annual Telluride 28: 983-992. Posted online at: http://jop. – assisted only, when needed, by trained Mushroom Festival. See calendar and sagepub.com/content/28/11/983. guides. Down in Huautla de Jemenez, it ad in this issue for details. Kimmerer, R.W. 2013. Braiding Sweetgrass. is still possible to arrive in the morning, Milkweed Editions, Minneapolis, have your supervised velada that night, References Cited Minnesota. and come away having had a most De Waal, F. 2009. The Age of Empathy: MacLean K.A., M.W. Johnson, and R.R. memorable, self-integrative, peak-life Nature’s Lessons For A Kinder Society, Griffiths. 2011. Mystical experiences experience – with just the OK of the Random House, Inc., New York. occasioned by the hallucinogen curandera or the shaman. De Waal, F. 2013. The Bonobo and The psilocybin lead to increases in the Yet another route to veladas, and Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among personality domain of openness. getting them researched, could be to the Primates, W.W. Norton & Company, Journal of Psychopharmacology 25(11): just contact local ministers as to their Inc., New York, N.Y. 1453-1461. Posted at http://csp.org/ possible willingness in having a velada Doblin, R. 1991. Pahnke’s “Good Friday psilocybin/. interest group join their congregation. Experiment”: A long-term follow-up Pahnke, W. 1963. Drugs and Mysticism. Unitarian Universalists do pride and methodological critique. Journal of Ph.D. dissertation. . themselves on being humanistic, Transpersonal Psychology 23(1): 1-27. Posted on at http://www.maps.org/ non-creedal, and accepting of a wide Posted at https://www.erowid.org/plants/ images/pdf/books/pahnke/walter_ range of beliefs. And they do encourage mushrooms/mushrooms_journal2.pdf. pahnke_drugs_and_mysticism.pdf. member groups to meet together in Griffiths, R.R., W.A. Richards, Richards, W.A. 2015. Sacred Knowledge: Small Group Ministries (SGMs) for U. McCann, and R. Jesse. 2006. Psychedelics and Religious Experiences, discussions and projects. Possibly an Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type New York: Columbia University Press. s-s velada could be an SGM project experiences having substantial and Rose, D. 2011. Psilocybe and – or getting it researched by Johns sustained personal meaning and spiritual Psychedelics; or, Timothy Leary in Hopkins or Andover Newton? Even if significance. Psychopharmacology Baltimore. Fungi 4(3): 24-30. only 15 or 20 were interested in velada (Berlin) 187(3): 268-283, with Smith, H. 1998. Recollections of the participation, there might well be commentaries on pp. 284-292. Posted at Good Friday Experiment: An interview many willing to volunteer, as helpers https://www.erowid.org/references/texts/ with . Journal of or controls, should any university or show/6693docid6202. Transpersonal Psychology, 1997 theological school care to research the Griffiths, R.R., W.A. Richards, M.W. 29(2): 99-103. possible benefits of special occasion Johnson, U.D. McCann, and R. Jesse. Stamets, P. 1996. Psilocybin Mushrooms group-use. Other possible uses, of 2008. Mystical-type experiences of the World. Ten Speed Press, sans-shrooms veladas, could be to push occasioned by psilocybin mediate Berkeley, CA. (via tripsitting, s-s velada, counseling, the attribution of personal meaning Wasson, R.G. 1957. See a reformatted and pamphlets) religious-flavored and spiritual significance 14 months version of his LIFE Magazine article Harm Reduction, of the sort that Rick later. Journal of Psychopharmacology at http://www.imaginaria.org/wasson/ Doblin’s Zendo Project does at EDM 22(6): 621-632. Posted at https:// life.htm. venues and mystic festivals like Burning www.erowid.org/references/texts/ Wasson, R.G. 1980. The Wondrous Man (USA), Boom (Portugal), Cosmo show/7339docid6508. Mushroom: Mycology in Mesoamerica. (UK), and Eclipse (Canada). Perhaps Griffiths, R.R., M.W. Johnson, W.A. New York: McGraw-Hill Book get church members trained, at such Richards, B.D. Richards, U. McCann, Company. FUNGI Volume 9:1 Spring 2016 17