Posted on 07/25/2024 9:27:19 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Scientists have claimed that the consumption of the fungi psilocybin, also known as 'magic mushrooms,' influenced pre-human hominids' brains six million years ago.
They analyzed dozens of studies involving psilocybin and consciousness, finding the fungi increased connectivity between networks in the frontal brain region associated with expressive language, decision-making and memory.
These 'significant neurological and psychological effects' may have been the catalase ancient ancestors to interact with each other and the environment - spurring consciousness among our species.
The idea that magic mushrooms sparked the pivotal point in humans has been touted by podcaster Joe Rogan, who has referenced the 'Stoned Ape Theory' on his show multiple times.
The theory, proposed in 1992 by ethnobotanist Terence McKenna, suggested that the evolution from Homo erectus to Homo sapiens and the cognitive enhancement associated with this change caused by eating psilocybin mushrooms...
Researchers at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru sifted through studies dating back to 1998, finding psilocybin stimulated the central nervous system, leading to an increased sense of consciousness.
They also found information that suggested psilocybin connected the brain's frontal lobes, prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex millions of years ago.
These regions are responsible for decision-making, problem-solving and reasoning skills.
The fungi was also found to affect the hippocampus, part of the brain's limbic system that converts short-term memories to long-term ones and processes emotions including anxiety and avoidance behaviors.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
BINGO
The hippocampus (pl.: hippocampi; via Latin from Greek ἱππόκαμπος, ‘seahorse’) is a major component of the brain of humans and other vertebrates.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampus
One could possibly make an argument that some invertebrates, and certainly jellyfish, are not conscious.
It’s quite doubtful that higher vertebrates such as birds and mammals do not have consciousness. Some like pigeons can pass the mirror test, which means they recognize themselves in the mirror.
Here’s a list of animals that can pass the mirror test:
Anti-depressants, ADHD drugs, illegal, anything except God. There is a cure, but we are not allowed to say that.
Even birds are known to get drunk on fermented fruit they find on the ground, apparently on purpose.............
Alcohol is not the kind of “mind altering” substance that the theory is discussing.
Everyone searches for meaning, none more so than the atheist who doesn’t believe intelligent design but believes in everything else, especially the divinity of government (when run by democrats).
Nope, somethin’ better ‘n that...
Snap the stems in half and see if the ends turn purple.
Mmmmm, mastodon...
Wow, some of these comments...
Morons... Godless fools...<<<
Talk about no morels.
True, but humans will certainly seek out some form of mind altering chemical whether it be alcohol, opium, cocaine, psychedelic mushrooms, or cannabis or whatever the available thing happens to be. It must be inherent in our brains’ make-up.................
How about a bronto-burger?
Janet Yellen told you so.
In Bejing.
5.56mm
About to say something very similar.
The hoops people jump through just to not believe in God.
Only God knows the origin of consciousness.
It’s astonishing that, for millions of years, neither a sheep nor goat nor insect has taken a bite of this magic mushroom, and catalyzed consciousness. People are so lucky.
Or maybe men just needed the big head to assert itself and tell little head, “No, you can’t do that.”
Whoever came up with that needs some more mushrooms for more consciousness\ capability. He is just not there yet.
Sorry folks, it wasn’t an apple that was “the tree of knowledge”, it was a shroom.
McKenna’s a lunatic and it’s fun reading these silly articles to see things like
“ These ‘significant neurological and psychological effects’ may have been the catalase ancient ancestors to interact with each other and the environment - spurring consciousness among our species..”
Catalase is an enzyme. The author means catalyst.
I do agree that drugs that alter consciousness, and there are many, including psilocin mentioned here, are useful in consciousness studies.
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