Anthropology

The use of hallucinogenic plants dates back thousands of years. Over the years, many different cultures and civilizations have used them for different purposes. The common belief that similarities exist between cultures that rely upon the use of herbal hallucinogens is greatly exaggerated. The cultural variables between these cultures are often so significant that the only major similarity between them is the fact that they use hallucinogens. The common generalization by society that every culture …

…they use, the uses they have for them, the rituals that they involve them in, and even the basic beliefs of the cultures, it is obvious that they should not be grouped together. The cultural variables between these cultures, not only the ones discussed in the text, but all of those who use hallucinogenic plants, are so significant that in reality the only major similarity between them is the fact that they use hallucinogenic plants.