Well, there’s a headline you don’t read every day.
Spanish porn star Nacho Vidal, known to millions for his, erm, extensive filmography, was arrested last week in connection to the 2019 death of Jose Luis Abad, a photographer.
Vidal was acting as a Shaman during the ritualistic smoking of dehydrated venom from the Colorado River toad, which contains 5-MeO-DMT, a psychedelic drug that causes intense hallucinations. It is also fatal if not taken properly.
What is 5-MeO-DMT?
The particular drug found in the toad, 5-MeO-DMT, is highly sought after from some enthusiasts because it apparently brings about the experience of “seeing God.” It causes a brief but intense trip that lasts, on average, 20 minutes, but can be as brief as 7 minutes or as long as 90.
If you ask many of those who’ve experienced ‘toad’, as it's known, they’ll say it’s a life-changing experience. Mike Tyson appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast last year and said taking the psychedelic is like “dying and being reborn”.
5-MeO-DMT has been used in shamanistic rituals in South America for thousands of years, but remains illegal in the United States. Advocates say it can have other positive effects beyond a brief trip, like helping to cure issues such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression.
It was also taken as a sacrament in the Church of the Tree of Life, a California-based church that existed from the early 1970s until 1990. At that time, church membership was the easiest way to acquire the drug in the United States.
Toadal Recall
That a famous porn star who’s taken to selling phallus-shaped candles in his retirement shouldn’t come as a surprise. Vidal sang the praises of ‘toad’ for years, even saying that it helped him “reunite with his spirit.” His lawyer’s say that Abad’s unfortunate death was accidental, but that Vidal was not to blame.
The police disagree. They say that Vidal is responsible, and that the ritual’s danger is hidden under the guise of “an inoffensive ancestral ritual.”
While the story is, on its head, outlandish, there is an interesting debate to be had. On the one hand, this drug has been consumed for thousands of years in shamanistic rituals. One could argue that the ritualistic consumption of 5-MeO-DMT is part of the religious and cultural heritage of many.
On the other hand, the drug is illegal in most places and is potentially fatal.
What do you think? Is it irresponsible to take dangerous substances in search of a divine experience? Should such drugs be made available for spiritual purposes, or are they better of remaining illegal?
15 comments
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Lionheart
I often wonder what many are on when I see Southern Baptists raising there arms in total ecstasy causing themselves to be completely taken over, not to mention those that are totally taken in by Benny Hinn as he slaps them on their forehead.
🦁❤️
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I tried some DMT one time, but it didn't have much of an effect on me. Friends had told me that it caused them to have wild spiritual or psychic experiences, like meeting a spirit guide, who showed them some awesome things. Of course, I already knew my spirit guides, have had very many psychic and spiritual experiences without being high on anything, and what seemed awesome and incredible to them, seemed like common, ordinary experiences to me. So I never tried it again. I don't care if they make it legal or not. People are going to do what they want to do, regardless. Trying an illegal substance only makes it a little more fun.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Toke it up, man!
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William Waugh
Cannabis has been there and done that. I rest my case..............not certain anyone ever died from it tho. Could be considered suicide......He found god and did not want to come back. As far as the govt. is concerned; Screw em!
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Daniel Gray
then educate yourself
https://www.newsweek.com/thc-overdose-death-marijuana-exposure-united-states-1442742
And check with the state patrols of states that have made this legal on how many accidents they have had or recorded because of people going into where they can legally buy it and then transport it to where they cant legally buy it.
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arawngraalrd
Bhagavad Gita mentions Soma, legitimizing the path of Medication as an inferior choice. Adam Smith, in Wealth of Nations, describes how prohibition worsens the failures of Medication, and makes for more and worse Addiction. It is simply not our government's job to impair Self Desecration in the Persuit of Happiness. You can't treat Alcoholism, or other Medication Dependence, unless you understand these things as Religion.
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Philip Joseph Ryan
The simple solution is to synthesis it, and make it available to the churches that wish to use it in their ceremonies.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
They ought to try yellow butterflies instead. They contain a combination of LSD, and Ecstasy (which always ensures a good trip). At worst, extended use could make them zonked-out, so they'll look like they're meditating all the time.
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William Waugh
Carl. I cannot read your posts without imagining that you are channeling and sound like Tommy Chong. Stay well and be blessed! ......always love your input.
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Larissa Anne McGuinness
As a Psychedelic Therapist with over 20 years experience, I am disheartened by the lack of care taken by those who profess to have the skills to serve these substances. There are many vital factors to consider in relation to entheogen / psychedelics, including health, spiritual state, emotional readiness, set, setting & more. Enthusiastic people passing out what ought to be related to as sacraments as though they are candy is doing more harm than good.
Without peer-review & ethical practice standards, as well as extensive education & training, we run the risk of outlawing substances that could well be the breakthrough medicines we are seeking. 5-MeO-DMT, in the right context, can not only be a spiritual experience, it may also successfully treat neurological disorders, complex PTSD, suicidal ideation, depression & addiction.
In the wrong hands, the same substance can cause psychosis, disorientation, despair & death.
To be wise, respectful & humble is essential when serving & receiving these substances. I pray we learn swiftly, & give due respect to nature's medicines before we destroy yet another pristine offering from God.
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Larissa Anne McGuinness
ADMIN : please delete my above comment. Thank you.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Regardless of your drug of preference it's good to good too get a buzz, and party hardy until your washed up and burned out, saith the Lord. Can I hear an Amen?!
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Yanel Jay Laroche Jr.
Regarding homosexual male prostitutes, I researched the website https://moses.creighton.edu. PASSAGE INTRO STUDY NOTES Deuteronomy 23:18-19 New Living Translation 18 When you are bringing an offering to fulfill a vow, you must not bring to the house of the Lord your God any offering from the earnings of a prostitute, whether a man[a] or a woman, for both are detestable to the Lord your God. 19 “Do not charge interest on the loans you make to a fellow Israelite, whether you loan money, or food, or anything else. Leviticus 18:22 New Living Translation 22 “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin. Leviticus 20:13 New Living Translation 13 “If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense. December 13, 2020
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Cheer-Up.