30-Sep-20
Joe Rogan Podcast #1543 – Brian Muraresku & Graham Hancock
This podcast delves into the ancient world’s use of psychedelics, exploring the potential connection to the origins of spiritual practices and their impact on humanity’s understanding of consciousness and death. The conversation features Brian C. Muraresku, author of The Immortality Key, and Graham Hancock, author of America Before. They present compelling arguments for the widespread use of psychedelic substances in ancient rituals, drawing on archaeological evidence, historical texts, and modern scientific research. Controversial topics include the use of ergot, cannabis, and other psychoactive substances in ancient ceremonies, as well as the potential connection between these rituals and the origins of Christianity. Underlying themes explore the nature of consciousness, the search for meaning beyond death, and the potential for psychedelics to be used in a therapeutic and transformative manner.
Major Topics:
- The Secret History of the Religion with No Name: Muraresku argues that a psychedelic-based religious practice, known as the “religion with no name”, predates the major world religions, offering insights into the origins of spirituality and the human experience of the divine.
- Ancient rituals, such as the Eleusinian Mysteries, involved the consumption of a potion that is speculated to have been spiked with psychedelics.
- The experience of this potion was said to lead to a transcendent state of consciousness, where initiates had direct encounters with deities and transcended the fear of death.
- Muraresku argues that this ancient psychedelic practice was a foundational element of human civilization, shaping values and cultural development.
- The practice of this religion with no name has been largely erased from history, obscured by subsequent belief systems and societal norms.
- The Psychedelic Roots of Christianity: The podcast explores the potential influence of psychedelic rituals on the origins of Christianity, suggesting that the use of psychoactive substances may have played a role in shaping the early church’s practices and beliefs.
- Muraresku highlights the use of spiked wine in early Christian communities, citing evidence from ancient texts and archaeological finds.
- He argues that the early eucharist, the sacrament of the Christian church, may have been influenced by ancient psychedelic practices.
- The conversation touches on the work of John Marco Allegro, who proposed that the sacred mushroom, possibly Amanita muscaria, was a key element of early Christian beliefs.
- Muraresku presents evidence of the use of ergot in ancient rituals, suggesting a potential link to the early Christian practice of consuming “sacred” bread and wine.
- The Search for Lost Knowledge: Both Muraresku and Hancock emphasize the importance of recovering lost knowledge about the use of psychedelics in ancient cultures, arguing that this knowledge can offer valuable insights into human consciousness and the nature of reality.
- Hancock highlights the deliberate suppression of information about psychedelics in the history of religions and scholarship.
- Muraresku’s research challenges conventional understandings of ancient rituals, suggesting that the use of psychedelics was more widespread and significant than previously recognized.
- The podcast calls for a more open and critical approach to studying ancient cultures, acknowledging the potential for lost knowledge to illuminate the human experience.
- They argue that recovering this knowledge can provide new perspectives on consciousness, spirituality, and the potential for human transformation.
- The Importance of Setting and Context: Both speakers emphasize the importance of setting and context in understanding the use of psychedelics, arguing that the ritualistic and spiritual framework surrounding these substances played a crucial role in their effects and meaning.
- The podcast highlights the importance of guidance and expertise in navigating psychedelic experiences.
- They emphasize the difference between recreational and ritualistic use, stressing the need for intention and preparation in psychedelic exploration.
- The discussion emphasizes the significance of the social and cultural context in shaping the meaning and effects of psychedelics.
- The conversation stresses the potential for psychedelics to facilitate profound spiritual experiences and personal transformation, especially within a supportive and structured environment.
- The War on Consciousness: The podcast connects the suppression of psychedelics to a broader “war on consciousness,” arguing that societal and political forces seek to limit and control individual exploration of altered states.
- Hancock and Muraresku criticize the demonization of psychedelics in mainstream culture, arguing that this demonization has served to obscure their potential benefits and transformative effects.
- They explore the political and social reasons behind the suppression of psychedelics, pointing to concerns about individual empowerment and the challenge to established power structures.
- The conversation highlights the connection between the war on drugs and broader issues of social control and individual freedom.
- They argue that the current cultural climate needs to shift towards a more open and accepting view of psychedelics, recognizing their potential for therapeutic and spiritual exploration.
- The Science of Psychedelic Research: The podcast acknowledges the growing body of scientific research on psychedelics and its potential to shed light on the ancient practices discussed.
- Muraresku highlights the recent advancements in archaeochemistry and other scientific disciplines that are helping to uncover evidence of ancient psychedelic use.
- The conversation touches on the ongoing research on psilocybin, LSD, and other psychedelics, exploring their therapeutic potential for treating mental health conditions and addiction.
- The podcast expresses optimism about the future of psychedelic research, anticipating a growing acceptance of these substances and their potential for positive societal change.
- They discuss the ethical considerations surrounding psychedelic research, emphasizing the need for responsible and guided exploration.
- The Role of Ancient Art and Symbolism: The podcast explores the significance of ancient art and symbolism as potential indicators of psychedelic experiences.
- Hancock points to the widespread prevalence of anthropomorphic imagery in ancient art, suggesting that these representations may reflect the visionary experiences of shamans and other spiritual practitioners.
- The conversation touches on the work of David Lewis-Williams, who has argued that cave paintings may depict altered states of consciousness induced by psychedelics.
- They suggest that the symbolism and imagery found in ancient art can offer clues to the experiences and beliefs of past civilizations.
- The podcast encourages a more nuanced and open-minded approach to interpreting ancient art, considering the potential for psychedelic experiences to have played a significant role in its creation.
- The Mystery of Soma: The podcast explores the ancient Indian psychedelic substance known as soma, its origins, and its importance in ancient Hindu rituals.
- Hancock discusses the difficulty of identifying the exact nature of soma, with various theories proposing different plants or fungi.
- Muraresku presents evidence from Sanskrit texts describing soma as a mixed potion, potentially involving ergot as an ingredient.
- The conversation touches on the cultural significance of soma in ancient India, highlighting its role in spiritual practices and the pursuit of immortality.
- The podcast explores the potential for modern research to shed light on the mysteries surrounding soma and its impact on ancient cultures.
- The Ancient Egyptian Use of Psychedelics: The podcast explores the potential use of psychedelics in ancient Egypt, examining evidence of psychedelic substances and their role in funerary rituals and beliefs.
- Hancock highlights the use of the blue water lily, a psychedelic plant, in ancient Egyptian rituals and its association with funerary practices.
- Muraresku presents evidence of spiked wine found in ancient Egyptian tombs, suggesting the intentional use of psychoactive substances in rituals related to death and the afterlife.
- The conversation touches on the significance of ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife and the role of psychedelics in preparing for the journey into the next world.
- The podcast discusses the resistance within Egyptology to acknowledging the use of psychedelics in ancient Egyptian culture.
- The Great Sphinx and the Younger Dryas: The podcast explores the controversial theory that the Great Sphinx is much older than conventionally accepted, potentially dating back to the Younger Dryas period around 12,800 years ago.
- Hancock argues that the weathering patterns on the Sphinx’s body suggest a period of heavy rainfall, aligning with the Younger Dryas event.
- He discusses the resistance within Egyptology to this theory, highlighting the potential challenge to established historical narratives and the reluctance to consider alternative explanations.
- The conversation emphasizes the importance of geological evidence in reconstructing ancient history and challenging conventional timelines.
- The podcast explores the potential for this theory to revolutionize our understanding of ancient civilizations and their connection to the past.
- The Importance of Individual Sovereignty: The podcast advocates for individual freedom and sovereignty in navigating psychedelic experiences, rejecting the notion of government control over consciousness and personal exploration.
- Hancock and Muraresku challenge the societal and legal restrictions surrounding psychedelics, arguing for the right of individuals to make informed choices about their own consciousness.
- They criticize the “war on drugs” as a form of social control that undermines individual freedom and autonomy.
- The conversation emphasizes the potential for psychedelics to promote personal growth and spiritual transformation, arguing that they should not be treated as inherently dangerous or harmful substances.
- The podcast calls for a shift in societal attitudes towards psychedelics, recognizing their potential benefits and encouraging responsible exploration.
- The Future of Psychedelic Research: The podcast concludes with a hopeful outlook for the future of psychedelic research, anticipating greater acceptance and exploration of these substances within scientific and societal contexts.
- Muraresku highlights the potential for psychedelic research to revolutionize our understanding of consciousness and provide new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
- The conversation expresses optimism about the increasing acceptance of psychedelics within scientific circles and the potential for future research to uncover new insights and applications.
- Hancock emphasizes the importance of challenging conventional narratives about the past and encouraging open-minded exploration of alternative perspectives on history and consciousness.
- The podcast concludes with a call for greater individual sovereignty and a more open and accepting approach to the study of psychedelics and their potential impact on humanity.
5 Memorable Quotes:
- “We’re a species with amnesia in regard to our archaeology, our history, but also in regard to our use of psychedelics.” – Graham Hancock highlights the pervasive societal forgetting of ancient psychedelic practices.
- “The priest has an intermediary between you and the divine becomes becomes redundant.” – Hancock explains the potential threat of psychedelics to religious authority.
- “The only possible explanation for this art, which is found all over the world, is that the artists were shamans, that they were experiencing altered states of consciousness.” – Hancock emphasizes the role of psychedelics in creating ancient cave art.
- “If I were running the world, anybody who wanted to be a president, a prime minister, a head of state of any kind, I think it should be obligatory that they have at least a dozen sessions with a powerful psychedelic.” – Hancock proposes a radical idea to improve leadership.
- “We are literally being treated like children as adults.” – Hancock criticizes the societal restrictions placed on psychedelic use.