Can Psychedelics Promote a Deeper Connection to Nature

It is not unusual for people who are in contact with psychedelics to also have a deeper connection to nature. I count myself in this group of people and I am sure that my connection to nature will continue to grow through my continued psychedelic experiences.

Even Albert Hofmann, the father of LSD, was a lover of nature and had the feeling of oneness with the natural world when taking it. He said:

Through my LSD experience and my new picture of reality, I became aware of the wonder of creation, the magnificence of nature and of the animal and plant kingdom. I became very sensitive to what will happen to all this and all of us.

In this article I will discuss the link between psychedelics and our closeness to nature, how we humans have lost our connection to the natural world over time and if it’s possible to develop this kind of connection again. 

Furthermore I will go deeper and discuss what happens with the mindset and mental health of those experiencing oneness with nature.

In earlier times, people had a necessarily deeper connection to nature as it was literally their home. They had to know which plants they could eat and which ones would make them ill. They had a deeper, spiritual connection to it, a feeling of oneness and security. Nature for them was good energy. They used their power to heal and reconnect with the universe and themselves. 

Indigenous nations used certain plants for ceremonies to have spiritual experiences. The Aztecs and Maya saw and used psilocybin mushrooms as the “flesh of the gods” and mescaline-containing peyote-cactus was used for religious ceremonies across multiple cultures.

Due to evolution and especially industrialization, we have mostly lost the meaning and the importance of mother earth, which the universe has given us. Different things are more important nowadays - like having a job, earning money, building cities, homes, families etc. 

The lack of time forces us to spend less time in nature and so it is more difficult for people to really feel a deep connection. 

This is not the case for everyone, but the majority of people on earth can surely relate to this. It may be possible that a lot of people like to spend time outdoors, but don’t really know what it means to be a part of this beautiful kingdom. 

We can see it everywhere in the world: people destroy nature for their homes, to grow food, to make money. Trash is laying on the ground, even in the middle of nowhere.

Many people no longer have respect for the environment.

Children are far more likely to watch TV or play video games instead of going outside.

Luckily, despite this collective disconnection there are still people who appreciate nature and recognise its importance. I count myself in this group.

Psychedelics change our perception of ourselves and the wider world.

Our awareness of the whole is expanded.

So when in nature, you perceive the influences in a different, more intense way. You not only see the whole of the forest, the sea, the ocean etc. But you perceive the very small things. It’s like you have an eagle eye.

You get lost in the colors or structures of nature. You get a glimpse of the small things that happen on the ground, on trees or in the water. The view of the sky, the clouds, the stars and the moon.

Everything seems almost overwhelmingly beautiful and meaningful.

It is not only our senses which are influenced, but also our inner world and thoughts.

A dreamlike experience, with a mental clarity we struggle to experience on a day-to-day basis.

It is not unusual for the mind-expanding effects of psychedelics to have a long-term influences.

No matter if the experience was good or bad - there is always a lesson that comes with it. 

Psychedelic experiences promote the lived experience that everything in this universe is connected. This individual, spiritual insight can lead to a greater perception of the connection between humans and nature. This often continues after the experience itself has concluded.

The spiritual aspect of these experiences deepen the sense of oneness with all that is. The personal development that comes with consciousness expansion plays a role in the day-to-day awareness of the whole. 

All of these effects can ensure that our bond with nature is strengthened. Even people who have become fully alienated from nature can overcome this alienation and develop a deep appreciation and love for our environment.

A deep connection to nature triggers a lot more than a conscious link with the environment.  Spending time outside, whether this be out of oneself, or actively out in the natural world can reduce stress and increase general wellbeing. There are an increasing number of studies showing that contact with nature increases self-esteem and reduces anxiety and depression.

Nature is an inspiring environment, which encourages creativity and creative thinking. The ability to concentrate is increased and mental fatigue is reduced. For the environment, an active mental closeness to nature is the most important characteristic. 

A method by which you can develop a stronger awareness of wider environmental problems and sustainable practices.

When you feel a strong connection, you are more motivated to take action.

This article illustrates the link between psychedelic experiences and the connection to nature. It is possible that these experiences can recreate a lost or non-existent connection. Even people who already have an appreciation for the natural world can develop an even deeper sense of oneness with nature and all that is. 

If people are open-minded to such experiences, it stands to reason that they are also open to experiencing things like deep and meaningful spiritual connections which often come with the feeling of oneness.

It is a fact that people see the world through different eyes during and after tripping.

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