Scientists say they may have discovered origin of consciousness - and it's a theory popularized by Joe Rogan

Daily Mail ^ | July 24, 2024 | Nikki Main

[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.

[ifinnegan]

“ 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.”

Yeah. Funny isn’t it.

The actual scientific theory is that mushrooms and plants etc…have these compounds as self defense — so animals like goats and deer won’t eat them. They taste bad and have effects that puts the animal in danger.

[ifinnegan]

Ravens eat dead rats.

[ifinnegan]

“ It’s a trap! They want everyone hooked on drugs so it’s easier to take over the country!!!!”

Pretty much, and it’s succeeded quite well.

[fr_freak]

In my experience, this could possibly make sense, in moderation, over 10s of thousands of years.

Seems like it would make more sense on a short-term scale. One good trip for an ape might be enough to give him the idea for symbolic representation, either written or spoken, that had never occurred to him before. While tripping, the idea that the sound "arrrggh" represents a threat, for example, could be the basis for spoken language that is then built on over time. But what do I know, I'm just a cave man who has never taken magic mushrooms.

[fr_freak]

Sorry folks, it wasn’t an apple that was “the tree of knowledge”, it was a shroom.

The Bible never says "apple" anyway, only "the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil" or something to that effect. Somebody eventually decided that it was an apple, probably while shrooming.

[ifinnegan]

“ Your dislike for Terence Mckenna has been expressed in many of your past posts. It is duly noted.”

I don’t dislike Terrence McKenna.

He just a loony.

If I didn’t like him I’d never have even heard about him.

I never met him.

I’m sure I’d have enjoyed talking to him. His brother, whom I never met either, may have been a bit more down to earth.

I think they’ve both passed away by now but am not sure.

I take it you are a fan?

[SpaceBar]

Yet you never miss an opportunity to dis him.

[ifinnegan]

Dis his Loony ideas.

What do you like about him?

[packagingguy]

Read the sentence again.

It says in a nutshell animals are conscious, much like humans.

Except possibly our president.

[ifinnegan]

Thanks.

I copied and pasted the wrong line. I was responding to this.

“ One could possibly make an argument that some invertebrates, and certainly jellyfish, are not conscious.”

To which I wrote:

“ But they are conscious. Put a noxious chemical in their water and they will be conscious of it and swim away to avoid it.”

Thanks for pointing out I grabbed the wrong sentence.

[Getready]

Funded by drug cartels.

[Texan5]

It is a type of mushroom-and according to one online cookbook, they are expensive and sought after for cooking certain dishes because they only grow in the wild and are not easily cultivated-some morels are also poisonous, etc. But I don’t think that is what Ezekiel was referring to-I think he meant “moral”, but autocorrect didn’t...

[Texan5]

Thank you for posting this thread-I found it interesting, checked out the related articles you referenced, etc-I’m sorry to see the thread degenerate into a religious war of sorts over a theory expressed in one article by one person-some people don’t seem able to read an article, discuss, etc just on the merits of that one article without throwing in religion/atheism, demons, plane geometry, the theory of relativity, or the kitchen sink.

You have the patience of a saint-please keep posting these articles for those of us who are actually interested in the science, theory, etc of the subject matter...

[Texan5]

I suppose Shitake mushrooms would be a reasonable substitution if necessary...

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks T5 for the kind remarks and in fact all of your remarks!

[Texan5]

You are welcome...

[gnarledmaw]

Maybe thats what that mosquito was trying to say right before you whomped it.

[SunkenCiv]

Nope, pizzarias. Growing ‘shrooms isn’t a cartel type business.

[TigersEye]

LOL

[TigersEye]

That’s a trip!