Chapter
The misunderstood use of strychnine and psilocybin in traditional medicine
51:26 - 56:35 (05:08)
The classification of substances as extremely dangerous tends to be based on a partial understanding of their effects, as evidenced by the traditional use of strychnine and psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The loss of ceremonial or ritual dimensions to the administration of medicine in modern times has resulted in an incomplete understanding of their effects.
Clips
The use of substances as medicines in traditional societies has a ritual and psychological dimension that modern medicine has lost, and understanding these may bring new insights.
51:26 - 56:35 (05:08)
Summary
The use of substances as medicines in traditional societies has a ritual and psychological dimension that modern medicine has lost, and understanding these may bring new insights. Evidence of the traditional use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms in Uganda and curiosity about the use of strychnine reflect the need to look at these substances from a broader perspective than simply their classification as dangerous drugs.