Ancient Civilizations May Have Used Psychedelics to Build Empires

Throughout history, the rise of great civilizations has often been credited to innovation, leadership, and conquest. Yet, an intriguing theory has emerged suggesting that altered states of consciousness, particularly through the use of psychedelics, may have played a role in shaping early societies. From spiritual rituals to architectural mastery, evidence hints that substances influencing perception and cognition could have guided the very foundations of ancient empires.

In ancient Egypt, depictions of blue lotus flowers, known for their mild psychoactive effects, appear in tombs and temple carvings. The plant was often steeped in wine and consumed during ceremonies, possibly aiding in spiritual connection and creative insight. Similarly, in the Americas, evidence suggests that the Maya and Aztec civilizations used psilocybin mushrooms and morning glory seeds containing LSA to communicate with their gods and gain visionary knowledge for governance, warfare, and agriculture.

Archaeological findings in South America also point to the use of San Pedro cactus and ayahuasca in early Andean cultures. These plants contain mescaline and DMT, compounds known to induce profound visionary experiences. Some researchers speculate that such experiences may have inspired the intricate symbolism and sacred geometry seen in ancient temples and monuments.

Modern neuroscience provides a fascinating lens for this idea. Psychedelics are known to temporarily dissolve the ego and enhance neural connectivity between brain regions, allowing for novel insights and creative problem solving. This means that ancient priests, leaders, or builders using these substances might have accessed higher levels of intuitive understanding, contributing to societal advancement.

While the full extent of psychedelics’ role in human civilization remains a mystery, their influence on early religion, art, and architecture cannot be ignored. These substances may not have just altered perception but helped shape the very way humanity envisioned its destiny.

Sources:

• Carod-Artal, F. J. (2015). Hallucinogenic plants in ancient cultures. Neurología, 30(1), 42–49.

• Winkelman, M. (2013). Psychedelics as a human universal and the biology of belief. Behavioral Pharmacology, 24(5–6), 394–408.*