The Psygaia Hypothesis (Part 3)
The Role of Psychedelics
If you haven’t read the first part of the hypothesis, please do so here. If you have read the first part but not the second, please read the second part here.
In some Native languages the term for plants translates to “those who take care of us.”
— Robin Wall Kimmerer
Through the planet’s evolutionary process spanning billions of years, physiologically safe and beneficial psychedelic compounds have emerged in certain living organisms.
These compounds, shaped by the evolutionary processes of the planet, consistently demonstrate their potential to elicit globally adaptive, integrative, and therapeutic effects under specific conditions. Key to the ecological consciousness unlocked by naturally-occurring psychedelics lies the mystical experience—a universal human experience that consistently unveils a felt-sense of interconnectedness, oneness, and sacredness, subsequently improving health and wellbeing (Ko et al., 2022).
These experiences are not mere ephemeral encounters; they play a pivotal role in orchestrating globally advantageous outcomes of psychedelic use. The essence of this transformative power lies in the ability of these ancient psychedelic compounds to induce feelings and insights that transcend the human individual’s ego-boundaries, a necessary psychological function which causes problems when left unchecked.
Via mystical experience, individuals gain profound insight into the interconnection, unity, and divinity of existence. This recognition serves as a catalyst, expanding the self-identity of the human organism to encompass the entirety of the planet and cosmos, in turn facilitating ecologically adapted and integrated behaviours.
Psychedelics effectively diminish the egocentric consciousness which is vital to a human’s personal survival, but detrimental to the planet when left unchecked. It is through ecological consciousness that the human organism begins to align more harmoniously with the planet and cosmos, marking a shift from self-serving survival instincts to a broader, more interconnected, imaginative, expressive, cooperative and harmonious understanding of and relationship to the planet and cosmos.
Recent scientific inquiries have illuminated the many benefits of various psychedelic compounds, offering valuable insights into their ability to induce mystical experiences and reorganise brain activity. This restructuring not only fosters feelings of awe and oneness but also contributes to the enhancement of brain function and psychological wellbeing (Griffiths, 2017).
Contrary to traditional medical notions, recent literature reviews indicate that even individuals categorized as "healthy normals" can partake in psychedelic experiences, leading to the overall betterment of individuals irrespective of psychiatric diagnoses (Gandy, 2019). Moreover, the positive repercussions extend beyond individual wellbeing. Research suggests that psychedelic use may contribute to the enhancement of morality (Earp, 2018). The profound impact of these substances is further highlighted by their ability to cultivate nature-relatedness and pro-environmental behaviours (Kettner et al., 2019; Paterniti et al., 2022).
Notably, responsible psychedelic use emerges as a potential catalyst for the cultivation of a crucial environmental virtue termed "living in place." This virtue encompasses qualities such as respect for Nature, proper humility, and aesthetic wonder and awe (Kirkham et al., 2022). Investigations into the concept of nature-relatedness define it as the degree of self-identification and intimate connectedness individuals feel toward Nature (Kettner et al., 2019). Individuals who foster a deep self-identification with Nature and feel intimately connected to it are more likely to engage in behaviours that are adapted and integrated, or harmonious with the planet.
These findings suggest that naturally-occurring psychedelics play a vital role in maintaining and promoting adapted, integrated and ultimately healthy human cognition and behaviour. Through a chemically-mediated interspecies symbiotic connection, these substances contribute to increased probabilities of all life not just surviving, but thriving within the reciprocal balance of the planetary whole.
The latest strides in psychedelic neuroscience have provided insights into the impact of psychedelics on the human brain and their potential to foster human adaptation and integration into a self-regulating complex planetary system. Notably, these substances induce changes by suppressing activity in the default mode network (DMN), an evolutionarily nascent part of the brain located in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Simultaneously, psychedelics increase connectivity in various older brain regions, exerting a profound influence on ego-related processes, including mind-wandering, self-referential and task-oriented thinking (Gattuso et al., 2023).
In doing so, psychedelic-producing organisms co-regulate human and environmental health, acting like a mycelium or vine network connecting human consciousness and the planetary whole. The transformative effects of psychedelics on brain activity are elucidated by:
The disruption of the top-down control of the brain normally mediated by the functions of the PFC, together with the compromised self-referencing processes of the DMN, leads to the emergence of processes that are normally repressed/regulated lower level brain systems These ancient brain systems are manifested as innate intelligences, modules and operators (Winkelman, 2017).
These ancient brain systems manifest as ecological consciousness, or “innate intelligences, modules, and operators,” (Winkelman, 2017). This disruption marks a chemically orchestrated shift toward an innate and genetically conserved consciousness which is inherent and embedded in the human organism, persisting at all times but readily unveiled with a chemical key provided by ancient and intelligent more-than-human allies which seek to maintain and perpetuate life.
These ancient and intelligent species co-evolve to not only survive but thrive on the planet, and it is through this symbiotic and reciprocal relationship that the innate ecological consciousness becomes tangible and transformative.
The information-rich visionary states and mystical insights induced through consumption of naturally-occurring psychedelics serve as pivotal regulators of the human organism and, consequently, the planetary system at large. By heightening ecological consciousness, awareness, or intelligence, these substances empower individuals to adapt to and integrate with the planetary system in a manner that fosters transcendent (and thus, universal) meaning, personal and collective health, group cohesion, and identification with the whole.
It is crucial to recognize that the impact of psychedelics on the human brain goes beyond individual experiences; rather, these substances are best understood as the organic byproducts of an intelligent organism and planetary system meticulously evolved to preserve and perpetuate life.
The symbiotic relationship between humans and psychedelic-producing lifeforms results in a synergistic interplay that catalyses individual, cultural, and ecological wholeness, or health. This synergy operates through a chemically-mediated connection between the human organism and the psychedelic-containing organism, reinforcing the intricate web of interdependence that characterises life on the planet.
Next: Ecospirituality & Planetary Health
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