Christian priests, a Buddhist guru, an Orthodox rabbi and two dozen other representatives of popular world religions will take hallucinogenic mushrooms to experience a unique spiritual experience. The authors of such an unusual scientific experiment are psychiatrists and neurologists from the American Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The experiment itself, reportedly, will be carried out in laboratory conditions under the close supervision of specialists.
Psilocybin mushrooms, well-known in narrow circles, will be received by religious figures of various confessions. The effect of the psilocybin they contain is similar to the effect of LSD, but the altered state of consciousness is more emotional and lasts less - about 4-7 hours. By the way, let's say that the shamans of the Mexican Indians from time immemorial have used psilocybin mushrooms in order to obtain a religious and mystical experience.
Scientists have well studied the deep mental experiences of psilocybin use, but in this case, the researchers intend to do something that no one has done before: to determine in the laboratory how a powerful hallucinogen affects the clergy, and whether a real transcendental experience can somehow affect the worldview priests. Perhaps this will make the ministers of the altars treat their work with even more enthusiasm and zeal, or, on the contrary, will make them doubt their own faith or religion.
Not all religious leaders agree to such an experiment
As you might guess, most religious leaders without hesitation refused to take psychedelic drugs. For many people, there is no difference between hallucinogens and drugs. Nevertheless, American experts managed to find Orthodox and Catholic priests, an enlightened Buddhist guru, a rabbi and representatives of other faiths who agreed to take part in such an extraordinary experiment. So far, scientists have not been able to find only an Islamic imam ready to consume hallucinogenic mushrooms. Muslims are known to be extremely negative about mind-altering substances. However, researchers do not lose hope that at least one imam will eventually agree to take this step in order to bring science and religion closer together.
All participants in the experiment will first undergo a medical and psychological examination, after which they will be given two strong doses of hallucinogenic mushrooms. They will need to be taken within a month in two sessions. The laboratory will be decorated like a hotel room. Religious leaders will take turns participating in the experiment. After using the psychedelic, they will listen to calm music and converse, if they wish, with the experts watching them. Preliminary experiments show that spiritual shepherds experience extremely positive emotions during a psilocybin trip.
Promotional video:
The identities of the participants in the experiment will remain a secret to the public. Scientists will observe these individuals throughout the year, recording all the changes that occur in the life of the ministers of the altar after receiving a religious and mystical experience through hallucinogenic mushrooms. It is noteworthy that in transcendental states of mind, according to scientists, a person can reach a universal understanding of the Almighty and stop following any religion that claims that only she can tell the whole truth about the Creator.