Soma, Psychedelics and Soul Liberation in Vedic Rituals

Soma is a sacred plant mentioned in Vedic texts. Many researchers believe it was an entheogenic mushroom, likely Psilocybe cubensis, containing psilocybin. This molecule is known for its psychotropic effects, which alter perception, stimulate awareness, and induce profound inner visions.

Soma and Vedic Rituals

In the Agnistoma ritual, one of the oldest Vedic sacrifices, Soma was consumed three times on the final day. Priests and sacrificers drank it in the morning, at noon, and at dusk. Since the effect of psilocybin lasts approximately six hours, this represents an 18-hour spiritual journey.

These rituals were intended to open consciousness, connect with the divine, and free the soul from earthly attachments. Consuming soma was seen as a way to transcend ordinary reality and access a state of absolute truth.

Modern research on Soma

Researchers such as Stanislav Grof, Rick Strassman, and others have studied the effects of entheogenic substances on consciousness. Grof has shown that these substances allow for altered states of consciousness similar to those described in sacred texts. Strassman, meanwhile, has studied DMT and its psilocybin-like effects, linked to spirituality and mystical experiences.

The descriptions of Soma in the Rig Veda correspond to those of a mushroom: a plant without leaves, seeds, or flowers, with filaments (amshu in Sanskrit). Moreover, the visionary effect and ego dissolution induced by psilocybin are consistent with accounts in the Vedic hymns that describe an expansion of consciousness and union with the divine.

The Impact of Soma on the Seven Rivers Civilization

The Seven Rivers civilization was a peaceful society, without armies or slavery. Some researchers believe that the use of Soma played a role in this harmony. The ego dissolution brought about by psilocybin is said to have fostered a way of life based on cooperation and respect for others.

In a society where spirituality was central, the ritual consumption of Soma would have reinforced a worldview in which the interconnectedness of all beings was perceived as a reality. This could explain why this civilization thrived without major conflicts, preserving a balance between individuals and their environment.

Soma was therefore not only a sacred drink, but a true tool of spiritual transformation which influenced the entire organization of the civilization of the 7 rivers.