Hallucinogenic substances and Cultural uses

Hallucinogenic Substances and Cultural Uses Throughout the centuries, natural herbs and plants that produce hallucinogenic effects have been used for various reasons within a religious context, ranging from religious rituals to alleviating cold and flu symptoms. These religiously structured ‘drug’ experiences are culturally and socially organized, and are defined by those who use them. One can cross-culturally examine the religious practices and meanings of using hallucinogenic substances with those who use them recreationally. A hallucinogen is ‘…

… touch with reality, have hallucinations, vertigo, nausea, and false sense of well being. The root is bitter to the taste, used as an aphrodisiac, a diuretic, a tonic, and is also facilitated in curing or aiding in gonorrhea, rheumatism, and diseases of the nervous system. The plant may also be used along with other ingredients to cure sexual disorders in males as well (www.peruvian-journey.com).