"All experience is a drug experience. Whether it's mediated by our own [endogenous] drugs, or whether it's mediated by substances that we ingest that are found in plants, cognition, consciousness, the working of the brain, it's all a chemically mediated process. Life itself is a drug experience."
About Dennis McKenna
Dennis McKenna — Life and Legacy
Dennis McKenna is an influential ethnopharmacologist and advocate for the responsible use of psychedelics, particularly in understanding consciousness and the natural world. His work often explores the intersection of science and spirituality, emphasizing the importance of psychedelics in expanding human awareness. McKenna's perspective is rooted in his belief that these substances can facilitate profound insights and healing, as reflected in his assertion that 'the plants are the teachers.' This highlights his view that nature holds wisdom that can guide humanity. His quotes often challenge conventional views on psychedelics, arguing against stigmatization and advocating for their potential to foster personal and societal transformation. For instance, he posits that psychedelics can help individuals reconnect with nature, which he sees as essential for addressing contemporary ecological crises. This perspective underscores his commitment to promoting a harmonious relationship between humanity and the environment. Today, McKenna's insights remain relevant as discussions around psychedelics gain traction in both scientific and cultural contexts. His emphasis on the interconnectedness of life continues to inspire those seeking to understand the deeper aspects of consciousness and our place within the natural world.
Quote collection
Dennis McKenna quotes
8 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"No wonder psychedelics are threatening to an authoritarian religious hierarchy. You don’t need faith to benefit from a psychedelic experience, let alone a priest or even a shaman to interpret it. What you need is courage—courage to drink the brew, eat the mushroom, or whatever it is, and then to pay attention, and make of it what you will. Suddenly, the tools for direct contact with the transcendent other (whether you call it God or something else) is taken from the hands of an anointed elite and given to the individual seeker."
"Think for yourself, and believe in yourself. Keep your skeptical antennae tuned in and in good working order at all times. We are free to develop our own hypotheses, which should be based in available evidence. When it comes to faith, have faith in yourself. And don't forget to love, laugh, be kind to each other. Don't take things so seriously, especially yourself. If the universe is a cosmic joke, remember to giggle. And remember to be astonished."
"I get frustrated with people who say that a drug experience can have no spiritual validity. I'm here to tell you that all experience is a drug experience. We're all on drugs all the time, largely because we are MADE of drugs"
"As the sphere of understanding grows ever larger, necessarily the surface area of ignorance gets ever bigger"
"You monkeys only think you're running things."
"Nobody can have your psychedelic experience for you; you just have to screw your courage up and raise the cup to your lips or smoke the pipe or whatever it is and face what's in there."
"Ayahuasca is a symbiotic ally of the human species."