One of the biggest myths about drugs is that their use is new, purely recreational, or a way to escape reality. “In the good old days, people didn’t do drugs—that’s something for the lost youth,” a sentiment that still resonates today.
However, historical evidence tells a very different story. Various substances have played a significant role across cultures throughout human history, from pre-Columbian populations to Siberian shamanism, to traditional African medicine. Now, some withered hearts might be tempted to label such cultures as “savage,” associating this use of substances with a lesser degree of civilization, but they would be doubly wrong. What if we told you that Greek culture itself, considered by many to be one of the greatest pillars of Western civilization, included rituals with psychedelics?
Let’s raise the stakes: What if we told you that highly influential figures in history, such as Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius, Cicero, and Sophocles, not only participated in these practices but even considered them one of the greatest creations of Ancient Greece?
We’re talking about the Eleusinian Mysteries, a ritual practice in Ancient Greece performed annually for nearly two millennia. Yes, the mysteries not only predate the Greek golden age, but they outlasted it all the way to the Roman Empire. For decades, if not centuries, it has been debated whether psychedelic substances were actually used in these rituals. Today, a new study adds to the existing—albeit small—body of evidence pointing to their use, from a little-explored perspective. But first, let’s review: What exactly were the Eleusinian Mysteries, and why were they so important?
What Were the Eleusinian Mysteries?
If you know one thing about ancient Greek culture, it’s that it involved a lot of deities. Religion wasn’t separate from daily life; …
Read More
Author: Marian Venini / High Times
