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There was a drink at Eleusis that was not wine, and not merely water, and not simply barley and mint as the Hymn would have us believe. Or rather—it was all of these, but also something more, something withheld. The Greeks themselves told us as much by naming it kykeon, from kykáō: to mix, to…
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The שמן אפרסמון (shemen afarsimon), or Balm of Gilead, holds a prominent place in ancient history and scripture as a prized aromatic and medicinal oil. Its identity has been the subject of debate among scholars, with hypotheses pointing to plants like Commiphora gileadensis, Pistacia lentiscus, and others. This blog explores the historical, botanical, and archaeological…
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Understanding the Difference Between DMT and 5-MeO-DMT: A Layperson’s Guide to Their Molecular Structures When it comes to psychedelic compounds, DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) and 5-MeO-DMT (5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) are two of the most talked-about substances. Both are powerful and profound in their effects, but they differ in important ways—chemically and experientially. To understand the distinction, we’ll take a…
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The Role of Psychoactive Practices in Ancient Levantine Rituals: Pomegranates, Acacia, and Enhanced Wines The ancient Levant was a vibrant crossroads of cultures and ideas, where spiritual practices often merged with communal feasting and the consumption of psychoactive substances. One such ritualistic institution, the marzēaḥ, provides a fascinating lens through which to explore the intersection…