Psychoactive Drugs or Yoga
Ramifications of the use of Psychoactive
substances
For the alteration of personal consciousness and the Yogic alternative
Introduction
The dilemma of
whether advocating for or against the use of psychoactive substances as a means
of altering personal consciousness strikes a deep chord in our societies.
Ultimately the choice is personal and with many conflicting views makes the
decision to use or not to use them difficult for many. The body of knowledge available on this
subject is enormous and exhaustive and a definitive hypothesis on this question
is as illusive as trying to fathom the deepest mysteries known to mankind. However, there lies within everyone an altered state of
consciousness and a range of experiences relating to the unconscious mind of
humanity that unconsciously wishes to express itself on the plane of conscious
awareness. It manifests as a
desire for ultimate fulfilment and wholeness, and amazingly some areas of
scientific research into drugs is uncovering data that correlates with some
ancient religious and spiritual traditions and is shedding light on the
hitherto mysticism of these traditions.
Where lies the experience of
continual happiness, contentment and meaning? This question and this homogenous
experience could be one of the basic unconscious drives that underlie the
disharmony found in our societies today, particularly in the devastating field of drug abuse.
Globally, hundreds of Billions of dollars are spent trying to curb the
spiralling drug abuse problem. Even the powers to be have conflicting interests
(Jason, L. et al., 2001) and make half-hearted attempts, which slow down the
process of dissemination of drug education, information and drug rehabilitation
programmes and research.
The maxim of, supply equals
demand, will always survive and as long as there exists a demand there will
always be interested parties ready to profit from this demand. Whether the said parties operate within the
constraints of our society’s norms and laws supplying legal drugs (e.g.
cigarettes and alcohol etc.) or they operate supplying illicit drugs, the huge
profits and cash flows generated by this industrious global exploitation could
feed the starving people and educate all of the illiterate people in the world
today.
There must be a basic instinctual
drive or motivating force and desire that is hard
wired into the human organism that requires one to seek out and experience
pleasure and meaning. Neurophysiologists
would explain this drive with a neurochemical
orientation and all the different fields of science would have a view biased
towards their specific field of specialisation, which is valid. If you combined
all of the resources from the contemporary sciences and also included
Philosophies, Religions and research into consciousness (Psychedelic Science, 1998) you would be looking at this desire
for drugs through a much wider lens.
Because of the
complexity and enormity of the vision that is needed to confront this issue and
for the need to simplify it, I believe that the availability of drugs and the
desire to have them will persist. The
very nature of our society’s push for materialism is not in harmony with the
deepest unconscious desire which is spiritual (Grof,
S, 1976, 202-205) and (Saraswati,
S, 1984,14). There needs to be a shift in paradigms
that recognises our innermost essential needs as well as our outer sensory needs.
Call
it a Cosmic Homeostasis.
One way in which
science has successfully probed into the desire for drugs has been by looking
deep into the psyche of drug addicts, and into successful therapeutic and
rehabilitation programs. Firstly, by
assuming the hierarchy and complexity of the known components of the human
organism and acknowledging that the seed of desire must rest somewhere in the
deepest recesses of the mind, it quickly becomes apparent, that to elucidate
this problem an open-minded view is necessary.
Following are some arguments for and against the use
of three commonly abused
Categories of
Psychoactive Drugs
Hallucinogens, Stimulants and Depressants.
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogen
– loosely
a definition for a large group of psychoactive chemical compounds which can
produce hallucinations (visual, auditory, tactile, etc) which are perceptions,
subjective and or objective which may arise without the absence of normal
physical stimulus (Reber, A.S 1995, 328).
Psychedelic - Greek word meaning
“mind manifesting”
Archaeological Evidence: According to First,(First, P.T. 1998) the earliest hallucinogen was found at
various sites in
Dr. Albert Hoffman and Dr. W. A
Kroll discovered d-lysergic acid diethylamide 25 in 1938 (Grof,
S, M.D.1976). Whilst they were
scientifically examining the derivatives of Ergot, which is a fungus that grows
on Rye grass. Hoffman and Kroll’s employer Sandoz
laboratories had found a number of medicinal uses over the past 20years from
ergot and its derivatives for Obstetrics, Internal medicine, Neurology and
Psychiatry. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is one of the chemical substances
derived from lysergic acid. It is an extremely powerful drug that is capable of
producing radical alterations in consciousness, hallucinations, dramatic
distortions in perceptions and unpredictable mood swings (Furst,
P.T. 1998). LSD’s effects on humans weren’t discovered for another five years
when Hoffman accidentally intoxicated himself with the substance and went on
his first unexpected trip into the mind-altering dimension of the inner space
of the unconscious mind.
Psilocybine (magic
mushrooms)
One of the major chemical
substances, along with psilocine, which were isolated
as the major chemical ingredient in the Mexican magic mushroom, botanic name (Psilocybe Mexicana) by R.G.
Wasson and Dr Albert Hoffman a Swiss chemist at the end of the 1950s (Psychedelic Science 1998).
Following is a direct quote by Dr. Albert Hoffman in
1996 when he was a guest speaker at the “Conference for the study of
Consciousness” held in
LSD and Psilocybin are
closely related in their chemical structure, and they differ very little from
the neurotransmitter Seratonin, which controls
thoughts and emotions and other roles in our body/mind. Psilocybin’s structure
only differs with the position of one Oxygen molecule. It is because of their
likeness to neurotransmitters that they have the ability to alter consciousness.
(Psychedelic Science, 1998) &
(The Brain our Universe Within 1996).
One researcher
of note is Dr Stanislav Grof,
MD from
According
to Grof’s fascinating text, (Grof,
S. 1976, 25) quotes ‘many people from artists, poets, inventors, scientists,
religious traditions, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers and
people interested in personality theory, psychology of religion, psychotherapy,
genetics, mythology, education, psychosomatic medicine and obstetric practice.
All came to see him for information and especially those people who had
personally taken the drug who had experiences and who wanted answers’.
Dr.Grof also reports that
chronic alcoholics, cocaine and heroin addicts have been successfully treated,
especially after perceiving and then totally entering into a deep spiritual
experience. This God (for want of a
name) experience totally transformed and subsequently changed the lives of Grof’s patients.
Only a few researchers currently
have legal permission to conduct trials using LSD. The FDA gave (Psychedelic Science 1998) Dr Rick Strassman,
a psychiatrist from
Psychedelics and creativity:
LSD has long been known to be
associated with some creative personalities e.g. artists, musicians, poets even
intellectuals. One example is
bio-geneticist Dr Kary Mullis (Psychedelic Science 1998) who won the
Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1993. He
invented a technique known as
Arguments
against the use of LSD and Psilocybin
In problems with LSD, Ungerleider quotes ‘at the present time, it can be
suggested that observers of large numbers of LSD reactions may witness the
entire gamut of psychotic and nonpsychotic states. Catatonic, paranoid and other varieties of
schizophrenic syndromes, manic-depressive states, paranoia, confusion, anxiety
and other mental states that have no psychiatric diagnosis equivalent’ (Ungerleider, T. J .1972, 66-68). As of 1968 there were well over 1000
scientific articles available in English about the Psychotomimetics
of the LSD series.
LSD users often use other drugs
at the same time as LSD, which can make the outcome an unknown quantity. LSD is dangerous enough without taking more
risks. Antidotes of choice are chloromazine and
sodium amobarbital (Ungerleider, T. J. 1972).
Illicit use of LSD is fraught
with danger in comparison to clinical therapeutic administration of the drug
because of many factors.
·
Dosage, strength, purity, setting
·
Help close by if needed (emergency -
medical or psychological)
·
The unknown contents of the unconscious mind -
unchartered waters
·
Loss of control, once the drug takes effect you are at
its mercy until it wears off
·
Experience may last, for twelve to sixteen hours but
can last for days (Ungerleider, T. J .1972).
·
Non-ability to integrate the psychic experiences with
reality once the drug wears off
·
Risk of developing psychosis or schizophrenia in
predisposed individuals
·
Flashbacks
Stimulants
Are drugs that increase neural firing and behavioural
activity. Drugs in this category include amphetamines, methamphetamine,
cocaine, caffeine, nicotine, and methylphenidate (McLennan, T. 1986,
68-71). They are a class of drug that
can provide the users with a feeling of empowerment, confidence, calmness,
increased energy and elation or euphoria.
Note on nicotine; during the research for this article
I discovered one of the major multinational cigarette companies was found to be
genetically modifying the
Increasingly they are used by:
·
Athletes looking for
an edge over the competition.
·
People working long hours
·
People suffering from poor
concentration ability
·
Depression sufferers
·
Individuals with low self esteem and mental insecurity
·
Dependence – Addiction level for this category drug is
extremely high
·
Tolerance – Need of increasing
dosages to produce the same high
·
Negative side effects - withdrawal produces symptoms
which can last up to a month with deepening depression, fatigue, lowered energy, bodily pain, sleep
problems
·
Stimulant Psychosis – Paranoia, irrational fears,
violence and injury can occur in heavy users and even in binge users. This can mimic acute schizophrenia with
irreversible damage (Mc Lennan, T.1986).
·
Cocaine binges - risk of seizures, loss of
consciousness, stroke and death from respiratory arrest
·
Cocaine snorting - damages the nasal membranes
Arguments for the use of Depressants
Depressants are a category of
drugs that depress neural firing. Drugs in this category are: (National
Institute of Drug Abuse Sixth Triennial Report to Congress 2001) Alcohol,
Heroin, Morphine, Cannabis, Barbiturates (including medications - Valium, Librium, Xanas, Halcion, ProSom), Benzodiazepines, Methaqualone and Flunitrazepam.
Depressants
·
·
They can provide a feeling of wellbeing
·
Lower inhibitions
·
Slow the pulse and breathing and lower blood pressure.
·
Some Barbiturates are used for Sleep Disorders and
reducing tension
·
Pre surgery Medical uses - Barbituates
·
Euphoria
Arguments
against the use of Depressants
·
Poor concentration
·
Can in large doses produce unconsciousness
·
Implicated in emotional depression
·
Co-ordination dysfunction
·
Fever, Irritability - Barbituates
·
Impaired memory
·
Slurred speech and Diziness
·
Impaired Judgement
·
Drug Tolerance, Withdrawal, Addiction
·
Benzodiazepines – associated with sexual assault
·
Alcohol – related to high risk sexual (Weinhardt, L et al.2001.) behaviour , Brain Damage and
Organ Failure
·
Cannabis- Chronic users - Poor memory, respiratory
disorders, fragmented and disturbed thoughts, Hallucinations (rarely)
·
Overdose- Alcohol, Heroin, Benzodiazepines,
·
Heroin intravenous users- HIV/AIDS risk
·
Social problems- Heroin Addicts can become desperados,
and may resort to Criminal activities to get their Fix
·
Respiratory depression and arrest
·
Coma
·
Death
Yoga
and Meditation offer safer alternatives to experience the Mysteries of
the Mind and Consciousness
If people wish to
explore their mind and altered states of consciousness, then the safest methods
I know are through the disciplines of yoga and meditation. This is the ‘harm
minimisation’ principle (Hamilton, M., et al. 1998) where you use the chemicals
inherent within the mind /body complex. Yoga keeps your Body and Mind healthy
with a systematic progression of techniques that gradually and naturally allows
you to alter the depth of your awareness.
Global
priorities
The transformative spiritual
experience found at the depths of the unconscious mind, which Dr.Grof elucidated so precisely in his research has been
well known in yoga traditions for millennia. His scientific research should be
commended for the parallels he found between the deepest recesses of the
unconscious mind and Kundalini Yoga (Grof, S, M.D.
1976, 202).
Warning
Although it should be pointed out
here that Dr.Grof did report rare instances (a few in
thousands) of Chakra and Kundalini arousal, my thoughts and the thoughts of
Masters of Kundalini Yoga like Swami Satyananda Saraswati agree that this
evolutionary force and Phenomena of Kundalini awakening demand absolute
respect, decades of preparation Physical, Pranic,
Psychological and Spiritual and the competent guidance of an Adept of Kundalini
Yoga.
There are no shortcuts to this arena
via drugs because you need absolute clarity of mind to reach the precipice of
the Unconscious and jump beyond. Pandora’s box (the unconscious mind) needs to
open slowly with the key of meditation; don’t blow it open with LSD etc,
because you may find that the blast has shattered the jewels, which you seek
within.
Drugs, which includes alcohol
can weaken your psychic self defence mechanism which Reverend CW Leadbeater the famous Clairvoyant Yogi in his
famous book “The Chakras” (1927) calls the
ETHERIC
The effects of drugs can
deteriorate the physical body and mind (even destroy it completely) which is
well known, but what is not well known is that it can also injure
the more subtle:
v Etheric Body ( which
can be equated to the Bio Plasmic or Pranic Body ) which houses the
chakra system, and the
v Astral Body ( which
houses another more subtle chakra system)
A note for Yoga aspirants: If the etheric and/or astral body
is damaged not only can the mind regress
into the lower chakras below Mooladhara Chakra (very dangerous and
undesirable), but the upward evolution
of consciousness which the Yoga aspirant is striving
spiritually for is curtailed. Your efforts to spiritual evolve in
this human incarnation can be wasted
unknowingly by allowing this damage to occur.
I highly recommend aspring Yogis & Yoginis study
this diligently and adhere to CW Leadbeater’s
recommendations, which are also echoed by
Personal Experience
When I was about 16 years old I started
to experiment with drugs such a marijuana (grass, dope, ganga) and
drinking alcohol socially, as many
young teenagers did then in the seventies and still
do today. This invariably led to stronger drugs as I got
older. In this crazy period I also
experimented a few times with LSD which I
nearly did not survive. The final curtain for me, came when I purchased some tablets
over the counter from a chemist shop and decided with another
friend to take them. This trip scared me, or shocked me
back to reality.
After that experience I still
carried on with drugs and smoked a bit of
marijuana occasionally, but gave
up all other drugs including alcohol.
In 1981 I discovered Yoga, and in 1983 when
my eldest son was born I gave up everything that was un yogic, as it was
time to grow up and be responsible father and husband.
After having a life changing spiritual
experience in 1984 I dedicated myself to leading
a yogic lifestyle for the rest of my life.
The point here is that when you
make these decisions there may be people around you that
are not impressed. Your wife or husband might want to divorce you (this
happened to me in 1988 right after meeting my Guru Swami Satyananda Saraswati in
I plea with all readers
“do not do drugs”. Now that my children have
grown up and I don’t care what people might think, I can be
speak frankly and honestly about drugs. I need to
get this message out because drugs can lead to
death (I have known two friends, one whom was my best
friend at one time die from drug related events), and I know
that not only ordinary people take drugs
but also some yoga practitioners. In all
cases the ramifications
need to be known.
Risk
Management Summary: Risks which I have
mentioned are; Arguments against the use of
Depressants, Arguments against the use of Stimulants, Arguments
against the use of LSD and Psilocybin (Psychoactive drugs) and the risks mentioned
above to the Etheric Web which protects all human beings.
To give you an idea of what I
am saying about undesirable astral entities, I will
describe my last trip which shocked me back to reality.
The last time I had a psychedelic
experience it was with a drug purchased over
the counter at a chemist shop. (I was about 21) I took an excessive amount of the tablets to see what happened. I can still remember the fear, horror,
like it was yesterday.
I asked my friend” when, do you know when it has taken effect”, and he said just concentrate
on something. So I looked at the blank wall in front of me (trataka on shoonya) and after a while there appeared in the centre of the wall
a small ring of flames, which started to expand outwards as
if someone was torching a newspaper with a blowtorch from behind.
The flaming circle grew wider then in the centre appeared a vision which was like a movie, my own TV show on the wall. This was amazing, but after a while my friend said, look who’s coming through the kitchen window, the Devil.
There first appeared fingers on the window sill, then a hideous full size demonic form appeared to be climbing in through the window. This nearly scared the life out of me as it looked so real.
I should also point after this experience I could not talk at all for three days (this was scary),
and when I started to regain the ability to talk after three days I started to
stutter. The stutter continued for another two weeks (I prayed a lot to return
to normal) before my speech was returned to normal.
I can not tell you how afraid I was, that I was going to be left with
permanent speech impairment (neurological damage) because of my stupidity
experimenting with drugs.
Please head my warning, and for Yoga aspirants this experience
disadvantaged me greatly because after it I was unable to visualize. This
psychic capability has not returned to date. So I battle on with other methods
of meditation (direct meditation via a psychic symbol is out of the question),
such as working with prana hoping one day I will get
a breakthrough. My theory (and others) is that part of my unconscious mind was
effected by this drug experience, and when the block is in the unconscious mind
(psychic/astral body) it is so much more difficult to work through that the
superficial subconscious mind. This makes me even more determined to succeed in
the face of adversity.

That’s me before I
discovered Yoga, looking into another
dimension
Future Thoughts
If only a fraction of research
funding currently used to fight drug addiction and resources were channelled
into understanding the phenomena of psychic and/or spiritual awakening in
general and the deepest layers of the unconscious mind specifically, then new
insights and hypothesis’s attained would remodel the thoughts of why people
need drugs and why are they discontented with there lives.
Mouna
Leadbeater C.W. (1927) The Chakras
Quest Books - Theosophical Publishing House, Chennai (
Motoyama Hiroshi, PHD PHD. (1981) Theories of
the
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Efron, D.H (1979) Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs.
Furst, P. T. (1988) Hallucinogens and Culture (5th
ed.)
.
Grof, S, M.D. (1976). Realms of The Human Unconscious,
Observations from LSD Researc
h,
Jason, L., Davis, M., Ferrari, J., & Bishop, P., (2001)
Research and Implications for Substance Abuse Recovery and Community
Research
American Journal of Drug Education, 31, 83-122
McLennan, T, (Ph.D.) (1986)
Escape from Anxiety and Stress. The Encyclopaedia of
Psychoactive Drugs
London: Burke Publishing Company Limited
National Institute of Drug Abuse Sixth Triennial Report to Congress (2001)
Retrieved
http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDAHome.html:
http://165.112.78.61/
Psychedelic Science
(video recording)
Reber, A. S. (1995) The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology
(2ndEd)
.
Penguin Books Ltd.
Saraswati, Swami. Satyananda. (1984) Kundalini Tantra
Munger,
The Brain our Universe Within (video recording)
, SBS Television.
Ungerleider, T. J (1972) The Problems and
Prospects of LSD
(3rd ed)
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Charles C Thomas
Weinhardt, L., Carey, M., Carry, K., Maisto, S., & Gordon, M., (2001)
Relation of Alcohol Use to HIV-Risk Sexual Behaviour Among Adults With a
Severe and Persistent Mental Illness.
American Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69, 77-84
Swami Mounamurti Saraswati
This essay was partly of a
presentapresentedtion that I delivered to fellow students
when I was studying 1st year Psychology at
Copyright ©Copyright ©
(June 2001)
Last updated
mailto:satyamyoga.com@bigpond.com
Though the
author grants permission to copy the article, only in its entirety which thereby
acknowledges the sources and references of other inspiring authors.
Meher Baba
Read the following
message from this Yogi~Saint on Drugs
http://www.meherbabainformation.org/messages/on_drugs/message.asp