Psychedelic drugs and environmental behavior

In the last two decades, humans have destroyed one-tenth of the Earth’s wilderness. Every day more and more fossil fuels are burned, items are wasted rather than recycled, and the decaying state of the planet is ignored. Despite UN reports that the world has barely a decade to get climate change under control, little meaningful changes have been made. However, the most unlikely solution may be the motivator humanity needs. Psychedelic drugs have a proven relationship with pro-environment behavior that may be powerful enough to drive its users to take action to save the Earth.

Studies show that there is a strong connection between the regular use of psychedelic drugs and environmentally conscious behavior. Following the use of psychedelic drugs, participants in a study by the Beckley Foundation were found to have higher nature an increased sense of connectedness to nature. This same relationship has been proven in other studies such as one by the Journal of Psychopharmacology. Not only did participants report a stronger connection with nature, but they also were more likely to engage in pro-environmental behavior after using these substances. Participants were more likely to reduce their carbon footprint, practice responsible water use, and buy eco-friendly products.

This relationship may be caused by feelings of connectedness that come from psychedelic drug use. The use of psychedelic drugs is often associated with a profound feeling of unity that is caused by a loss of self-awareness. There is a decreased integrity within the brain as well as an increased connectivity between different brain networks, leading to a feeling of being connected with surroundings. There are many reports of feelings of “profound levels of identification or merging with the natural world” when users are in the psychedelic state. Social psychological research shows that these feelings in the psychedelic state can often lead to anthropomorphism, a process where users give non-human entities human qualities. Users feel more concern for any entity and a distinct feeling that everything can feel pain and should be protected from harm. These reported feelings may influence the changes in environmental behavior, and they are not a new concept either.

Indigenous groups in the Amazon viewed psychedelic plants as their teachers. They used them as a guide to help them understand their relationship with nature. These drugs helped native populations recognize that their role is not as a master or exploiter of nature but as a steward and protector. The indigenous people of the Amazon frequented a beverage called ayahuasca. Ayahuasca is a brew made from extracts of a vine that is known to have psychedelic properties, and its use has spiked and Westernized among tourists in Peru. This psychedelic has been profoundly studied by Dennis McKenna, who is an American ethnopharmacologist known for his work with the effects of psychoactive drugs. After studying the use and impacts of ayahuasca, McKenna reports that he strongly believes that it has a “catalytic influence in changing global environmental consciousness” based on reactions by many users.

After trying this psychedelic, many report feeling moved to respect the environment and treat it better. McKenna believes that humanity is far too separated from nature and that ayahuasca and other psychedelic plants force humans to re-evaluate their relationship with nature and recognize the interconnectedness. He believes that, after trying ayahuasca, people leave with a renewed appreciation for the importance of nature.

While there is much research circulating about the positive mental health impacts of the general use of psychedelic drugs, there are also positive benefits that come specifically from the environmental aspect of psychedelics. Nature relatedness is proven to lower a person’s anxiety and improve their overall wellbeing. Being more connected with nature also just makes users more happy in general. This may be caused by the biophilia hypothesis, which is that humans have an innate preference for natural environments. Studies show that exposure to nature has a plethora of physical and mental health benefits. Connecting with nature is a vital human function that is often lost in the urbanization of contemporary society. Regardless of the cause, being environmentally conscious and being connected to nature allows people to see the picture and care about a cause that is greater than themselves.

Psychedelic drug use does have a proven history of increasing a user’s environmental consciousness and pro-environment behavior. This may come from the connection that is often formed between the user and nature, or it may just be because psychedelic drug users were more likely to be environmentally conscious in the first place. Correlation does not equal causation. Whatever the cause, the world needs to take advantage of any tool it has that can mobilize people to save the Earth.