Human Civilization from Psychoactive Mushrooms? (evolution, myths, theist, pagan)

[Druidus]

At first glance, that seems an odd question; even nonsensical! But consider two facts together: First, psylocybin cubensis mushrooms, common in many places throughout the world, and amanita muscaria mushrooms, also common throughout the world, both heavily stimulate the region of the brain known as "Broca's area", which is directly responsible for speech production when stimulated and developed. Secondly these mushrooms were used heavily by early human species. In fact, cave paintings show them in an almost holy light, and many "primitive" tribes still, for the most part, hidden from the rest of the world do consider these mushrooms to be holy and sacred spirits.

It is not implausible to assume that the earliest human-like animals utilized these mushrooms for psychoactive purposes, which led to the stimulation of Broca's area, which led to the development of primitive speech.

Because language is the basis of our entire society and much of our higher brain processes, it could, indeed, be that humans owe their "humanity" to psychoactive mushrooms!

There's no hard evidence for this, but it's just a thought.

I know that the stimulated region of the brain would not transfer to a child when genes are passed on. But the stimulation might be just enough to get some language going, and once language is developed, evolution becomes a ball rolling down a hill, leading to more and more complex languages and language skills (because language is such an amazingly useful ability).

It is also extremely probable that our ancestors used these drugs. Almost all mammals use some forms of drugs. Cows eat vast amounts of marijuana when given the chance. Monkeys gorge on large amounts of insects that have eaten psychoactive plants. Goats guard psychoactive mushroom patches from outsiders, using them for themselves only. Elephants love fermented fruit (and, indeed, have been known to become stumbling drunk using these fruits). New world monkeys have been observed chewing but not swallowing coca leaves (the source of cocaine), in much the same way Peruvian natives did/do. The truth is, all mammals (at least) enjoy psychoactive foods, and it is likely, therefore, that our direct ancestors, before the advent of language, utilized psychoactive foods as well. Why wouldn't they, considering that it is a completely natural thing that nearly all mammals have done and still do?

As well, it is interesting to note that in many religions, the eating of a fruit leads to the gaining of knowledge. Fruit is a VERY old word, and it's original meaning was simply anything that grew and could be eaten. Could it be that the earliest psychoactive use in language-using man led to a religion based on them, which is the roots of the fruit myth today?

Even pantheistic religions throughout the world had similar myths, not just Judeo-Christian ones.

EDIT:

I'd also like to point out that I'm not writing this as "drug-propaganda", but as an interest of pure-knowledge. I don't want it to seem that way, though, likely, it will. I've never used any psychoactive mushrooms, by the way (though I do hope to try, one day).

[WeAreAllOne]

I don't have anything to add but it seems like an interesting idea. Let us know if you learn anything else about it.