545) Psychedelics: Cutting-edge science or shamanic ritual?

Homological scaffolds of the brain before and after psilocybin (Petri G., et al. 2014).

Part II

Introduction

This article builds on the previous discussion, which explored how psychedelics are increasingly being framed as “cutting-edge science,” embraced by “all the professors”—and, most troubling in my view, promoted as a new expression of Jewish mysticism and experientialism [Kotzk Blog: 544) Acculturating Alcohol and Sanctifying Psychedelics: It’s time to stand up]. While this article departs from the usual style of discourse on this platform, a recent encounter prompted me to dig deeper. After hearing an average, conservative, middle-aged man explain that he was about to embark on an ayahuasca journey because of its “proven scientific value” and its common use among “trusted religious people” in his community, I decided to examine the academic literature on psychedelics more closely. I aimed to assess how solid the claim of a scientific foundation truly is. In the interest of fairness, I have included scholarly arguments both for and against the use of psychedelics. 

544) Acculturating Alcohol and Sanctifying Psychedelics: It’s time to stand up

Part I

Introduction

Alcohol and drug abuse have long been perceived as problems external to the Jewish religious community. Currently, however, the rising visibility of alcohol consumption alongside drug and psychedelic practices, is closer to home than we may have imagined. According to psychologist Dan Wolf,^[1] the difficulty lies in the fact that, whereas in the past, a range of methodologies were actively employed to counter alcohol and substance abuse, the prevailing attitude seems to be that quiet and moderate use is perhaps the most reasonable approach. Today, the issue of substances and psychedelics is no longer abstract or distant; it is reshaping the very fabric of our communal life, demanding recognition, response and a solid stance.