Entheogens, the Conscious Brain and Existential Reality: Part 1
Chris King*
* Correspondence: Chris King http://www.dhushara.com E-Mail: chris@sexualparadox.org
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this article is to provide a ‘state of the art’ research overview of what is
currently known about how entheogens, including the classic psychedelics, affect the brain
and transform conscious experience through their altered serotonin receptor dynamics, and to
explore their implications for understanding the conscious brain and its relationship to
existential reality, and their potential utility in our cultural maturation and understanding of
the place of sentient life in the universe.
Part 1 contains the following sections: 1. Cultural and Historical Introduction; 2. The enigma
of Subjective Consciousness; and 3. Fathoming the Mind-Brain Relationship and Experiential
Modalities.
Key Words: entheogens, conscious brain, existential reality, psychedelics, serotonin,
conscious experience, sentient life, universe.
Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research | July 2012 | Vol. 3 | Issue 6 | pp. 579-604
King, C., Entheogens, the Conscious Brain and Existential Reality: Part 1
Chris King*
* Correspondence: Chris King http://www.dhushara.com E-Mail: chris@sexualparadox.org
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this article is to provide a ‘state of the art’ research overview of what is
currently known about how entheogens, including the classic psychedelics, affect the brain
and transform conscious experience through their altered serotonin receptor dynamics, and to
explore their implications for understanding the conscious brain and its relationship to
existential reality, and their potential utility in our cultural maturation and understanding of
the place of sentient life in the universe.
Part 1 contains the following sections: 1. Cultural and Historical Introduction; 2. The enigma
of Subjective Consciousness; and 3. Fathoming the Mind-Brain Relationship and Experiential
Modalities.
Key Words: entheogens, conscious brain, existential reality, psychedelics, serotonin,
conscious experience, sentient life, universe.
Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research | July 2012 | Vol. 3 | Issue 6 | pp. 579-604
King, C., Entheogens, the Conscious Brain and Existential Reality: Part 1
