Magic Mushrooms Boosted Humanity’s Evolutionary Success, New Study Says: Did Psilocybin Make Early Humans Better Hunters?
A growing body of research suggests that psychedelic mushrooms, specifically those containing psilocybin, may have played a crucial role in the evolution of human consciousness. This conclusion aligns with the “Stoned Ape Hypothesis,” originally proposed by ethnobotanist Terence McKenna. In his theory, McKenna posited that early humans’ consumption of these mushrooms, such as Psilocybe cubensis and Panaeolus cyanescens, was a catalyst for the rapid cognitive development of our ancestors.
A recent paper, published in Lilloa, a publication focused on botany, mycology and phycology founded in 1937, offers substantial evidence that the neurological effects of psilocybin could have contributed to both mental expansion and survival advantages for early hominids. The researchers behind the study conducted an extensive review of literature from disciplines including biology, neuroscience and ethnobotany, compiling insights from studies involving psilocybin, human consciousness and evolutionary biology.
The Effects Of Psilocybin On The Brain
According to the study, psilocybin triggers a range of neurological responses, particularly in areas like the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus and the …