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 psilocybin 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 Timothy Leary and Walter Pahnke 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.