Toad-ally Stupid
I have had a long time interest in psychedelics, not from the perspective of wanting to experience their effects but trying to understand why people have a desire to escape reality using them as a means to do so. Lately it has become quite fashionable to smoke a toxin excreted by a species of toad, the Sonoran Desert Toad (Bufo Alvarius) The toxin is a defense mechanism secreted by the toad to ward off predators. Predators who indulge can find themselves succumbing to the toxin and dying. Dosis sola facit venenum, "only the dose makes the poison," is an adage attributed to Paracelsus and is the classic toxicology maxim. Man has found that the dose of the neurotoxin that kills predators does not poison them but offers them a psychedelic experience. The toad's venum is milked from glands which contains 5-MeO-DMT, the psychoactive ingredient, a paste is made from it, dried and then smoked. Effects occur within 30 seconds and last approximately one hour. The user will be incapacitated, time, vision and sound may be distorted. Some relate the feeling of being connected to a higher power, dying and being re-born to a new awareness. Some people call it the "god molecule" because of these aforementioned effects. The toxin is smoked in a group setting in the presence of a Shaman who collects the fee which is upwards of $250.00 and performs a ritual. Celebrity testimonies endorsing the drug have added to its popularity and abuse. Both Mike Tyson and Hunter Biden, hopping "Mad-Hatters," in their own right, have claimed beneficial effects from its use.
Ancient societies were no strangers to mind altering chemicals. Archaeologists note the presence of opium, hemp and many other substances in Bible-era cultures. Mood-altering substances were also used in connection to ancient religious practice. Greek temples used mind-altering drugs in fortune-telling and oracles. The Apostle Paul's list of the works of the flesh appear in (Galatians 5:19-21), are grouped by similar offenses. He begins by mentioning sexual sin, idolatry and then "sorcery" or pharmakeia. His reference of pharmakeia is closer to idolatry and sexuality in context and hints at the use of drugs in ungodly spiritual practices. Similarly the the Hebrew word kesheph is translated "charms" in Nahum 3:4 . The same word in Kings 9:22 and Isaiah 47:9 is translated as "sorcery." Combining these contexts suggests biblical "sorcery" is not akin to Harry Potter's super powers but about abusing drugs for idolatry, recreation and/or oppression of others. The Bible says we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 10:12) not the deadening of our minds with drugs. We are to be sober minded about the devil's schemes (1 Peter 5:8-9) not to be incapacitated and flopping around like a fish out of water. We are to be filled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) not baked, wasted or blasted on drugs. Smoking toad venom is idolatry and is not a practice any Christian should have any part of period. We become more like God through sanctification led by the Holy Spirit in a lifelong process, not a sixty minute drug "trip." Smoking toad venom is toad-ally STUPID.