The stoned ape hypothesis often referred to as ‘stoned ape theory‘ is a speculative claim made by the late Terence McKenna. The hypothesis suggests an alternate view on human evolution and the sudden growth of ape consciousness.

Early fossil evidence suggests that Homo sapiens first emerged in Africa around 300,000 years ago. Some paleontologists trace Homo sapiens directly to their modern human predecessors: the Homo erectus. Others have deferring views on this evolution, suggesting various ancestral ties to Homo habilis and Homo rudolfensis.

Unlike Homo sapiens, previous human species exhibited smaller brain sizes, more muscle mass, and less verbal expression. In addition, Homo sapiens evolved various brain functions and a larger scope of consciosuness.

Art, music, and societal culture are all products of this development in Primates. The emergence of higher consciousness and intelligence among humans has puzzled scientists for years. While most evolutionary experts turn to gradual changes in genetics for answers, some have conceded the vast impacts of psychedelics on consciousness.

Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug compound produced by more than 200 species of mushrooms, was commonly ingested by many human species. This elusive drug is known to provide senses of euphoria and sensory distortion.

Interestingly, psychedelics also promote neuroplasticity and an increase in man’s ability to envision new worlds of thought.

Terence McKenna’s Stoned Ape Theory

During the 1990s, Terence McKenna proposed a unique explanation for the leap of intelligence between the Homo erectus and Homo sapiens.

In his 1992 book Food of the Gods, McKenna proposed that the change from man’s early ancestors primarily had to do with the increase of Psilocybe cubensis in the human diet.

Psilocybe cubensis is a species of psychedelic mushroom whose primary vital compounds include psilocybin and psilocin. Nowadays, people refer to this organism as shrooms, magic mushrooms, golden tops, cubes, or gold caps. Learn more about these ‘magic mushrooms’ at https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/psilocybe-cubensis ScienceDirect

His Stoned Ape Hypothesis signified that small doses of psilocybin found in mushrooms improve visual keenness; This meant that psilocybin improved early primate hunting abilities and food supplies. Then, this increase in food and nutrients correlated to higher levels of reproductive growth. At somewhat higher doses, McKenna suggested that the mushroom increases sexual arousal leading to greater evolutionarily advantages.

At these high doses, he also claimed that psilocybin would be increasing activity in the “language-forming region of the brain”, creating music and intricate dialect. Significantly, the hypothesis also states that psilocybin would dissolve individualism and open a platform for collectivism and the formation of organized faith and religion.

Terence McKenna explained, “religious concerns would be at the forefront of the tribe’s consciousness, simply because of the power and strangeness of the experience itself.”

While originally titled “Stoned Ape Theory,” McKenna’s claims constitute a hypothesis. Theories are principles set to explain data-backed events. On the other hand, a hypothesis is an intelligent assumption made before research can be conducted.

Despite the unique nature of this hypothesis, the scientific community is right to criticize the lack of evidence and citations supporting this evolutionary phenomenon. While there is no clear-cut answer to the intelligence of Homo sapiens outside of changing diets and natural selection, the stoned ape ‘theory’ still reflects some accuracies in the development of humans.

Psychedelics have indeed impacted the formation of belief systems and the arts. Humans did benefit from consuming Psilocybe cubensis in ways that modern scientists have admitted through recent studies.

Many notable institutions like Johns Hopkins have confirmed the postiive effects of magic mushrooms on human health and consciousness: https://www.businessinsider.com/johns-hopkins-researchers-magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-medicine-legal-schedule-5-2018-10

Some unanswered questions from McKenna’s perspective include:

How did psychedelics affect the human genome directly?

Wouldn’t using psychedelics as an explanation for evolution reflect pieces of Lamarckism?

While fascinating, the Stoned Ape Hypothesis reflects partial truths with various unproven claims.

Nonetheless, it is key to be open-minded about these fundamental topics and increase your knowledge of humankind. The next few years will be pivotal for psychedelics as the state becomes more lenient on their use. Stay safe, act responsibly, and keep learning about our captivating species.

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