Psychedelics and Creativity #Cognition, Evolution and Innovation
Recognising their transformative potential, we stand at the cusp of a new era where psychedelics may shape the future of human creativity, cognition, and innovation.
Psychedelics have long been (and still mostly are) associated with stigma and misconceptions–including the visual-heavy funky patterns and colours–but as research uncovers their therapeutic potential, creatives are stepping in to reshape perceptions. Designers can challenge stereotypes, promote education, humanise the psychedelic experience, and (with care and thought) support paving the way for their acceptance in mainstream society.
Welcome to Psychedelics Design, a growing community of creatives on a mission to discover what psychedelics can do for humanity and what creatives can do for psychedelics.
Throughout history, there has been a profound connection between psychedelics and creative genius, with renowned figures in various fields attesting to their influence, including Cary Grant, Steve Jobs, Susan Sarandon, Joe Rogan, Yoko Ono, and Elon Musk.
“If life wasn’t real it would be the craziest psychedelic trip ever.” — Joe Rogan
As humans continually seek ways to optimise cognitive abilities and boost creativity, psychedelics emerge as potential catalysts for cognitive enhancement, creative exploration, and increased productivity. Recognising their transformative potential, we stand at the cusp of a new era where psychedelics may shape the future of human creativity, cognition, and innovation.
Today:
7 Ways Psychedelics Impact Creativity
Does creativity decline with age? And if yes, what can be done to change that?
Human creativity – imagination and evolution
7 Ways Psychedelics Impact Creativity
Not only in Silicon Valley, individuals have a rich history of using macro- and micro-dosing techniques to enhance creativity and focus (lion’s mane anyone?). As we navigate the post-pandemic landscape and seek ways to optimize productivity, professionals in other regions are also embracing psychedelics as a means to boost cognition and unleash their creative potential.
The stories of these innovative approaches are becoming more widespread, showcasing the growing interest in harnessing the benefits of psychedelics for cognitive enhancement and creative endeavours.
So how does it work? I wrote about seven ways (so far) of how psychedelics can help boost your creative thinking for Proto.Life
Does creativity decline with age? And if yes, what can be done to change that?
Welcome to an exploration of the age-achievement relation and the intriguing world of creativity! Brace yourself for a slightly bumpy read, as this was one of my earliest research sum-ups during my academic studies last fall.
It all began back in 1842 when Quetelet published the first empirical study on the age-achievement connection (Whitbourne, 2016). Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves delving into the very essence of creativity. How do psychologists define it? According to experts, creativity is the remarkable capacity to generate original and adaptive ideas—ones that are not only innovative but also practical and functional (Simonton, 2015, p. 2).
But what exactly does creativity enable us to do? It empowers us to imagine and craft multiple possibilities, ideas, and solutions to any given problem (Seligman et al., 2016, p. 312).
Alison Gopnik and Tom Griffiths, esteemed professors of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, pondered over the intriguing question of what happens to creativity as we age (2017). Their fascinating findings revealed that childhood and adolescence may, in part, serve to resolve the tension between exploration and exploitation, unlocking the secrets of creativity (para 13).
Read my findings on Medium here
Human creativity – imagination and evolution
Imagination is about some alternative to present perception (Markman, Klein, & Suhr, 2009). It includes: "mental imagery of things that may or may not exist, counterfactual conjecture, alternative pasts, daydreaming, fantasising, pretending, mental simulation of other minds, mental rehearsal, and aspects of night dreaming" (Seligman et al., 2016, p. 307).
But why is imagination important in the context of the evolution of Homo sapiens, and what did psychedelics potentially have to do with it? Read more below.
In the realm of human cognition, the power of imagination sets Homo sapiens apart from other species. Yuval Noah Harari (2011) highlights that we can conceive of things that do not exist, construct myths, and share collective beliefs. This marked the dawn of the Cognitive Revolution, an era from approximately 70,000 to 30,000 years ago that witnessed the birth of art, religion, commerce, and social hierarchy.
"The first objects that can reliably be called art date from this era, as does the first clear evidence of religion, commerce and social stratification" (Harari, 2011, p. 23).
Recent research delves into the genetic networks responsible for human creativity. Zwir et al. (2021) identify over 200 unique non-protein-coding genes in modern humans that regulate the co-expression of numerous protein-coding genes. These networks underpin our capacities for self-awareness, creativity, prosocial behaviour, and healthy longevity, distinct traits absent in chimpanzees or Neanderthals.
Unravelling the origins of this explosive creative emergence remains a fundamental question about human nature. The "Stoned Ape Theory," coined by Terrence and Dennis McKenna in the 1970s, posits that psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms, played a pivotal role in the rapid development of cognitive functions in Homo sapiens (Schwartzberg, 2019).
Arce and Winkelman (2021) further explore the intriguing connection between psychedelics and human evolution in their article "Psychedelics, Sociality, and Human Evolution." They propose that the incidental ingestion of psilocybin-containing mushrooms over millions of years may have influenced hominin populations, enhancing stress-coping abilities and socio-cognitive dynamics.
Certainly, creativity and the ability to imagine fiction represent a defining and critical quality of human cognition (Zwir et al., 2021; Girn et al., 2020). As we continue to delve into the mysterious origins of our creativity, the profound influence of psychedelics on human evolution stands as an enthralling perspective worth exploring.
How do psilocybin mushrooms influence human evolution?
The influence of psilocybin mushrooms on human evolution is a subject of ongoing research and debate. While there is no definitive answer, some theories propose that psilocybin-containing mushrooms have shaped human evolution through their potential effects on cognition and behaviour.
The above-mentioned "Stoned Ape Theory," popularised by Terence McKenna and his brother Dennis McKenna in the 1970s, suggests that the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms by early hominins may have led to significant cognitive advancements. According to this theory, ingesting these mushrooms could have sparked an expansion of brain functions, including increased creativity, self-awareness, and problem-solving abilities. This cognitive boost, in turn, could have contributed to the development of language, social cooperation, and cultural advancements, potentially influencing the evolutionary trajectory of Homo sapiens.
Another perspective explored in recent research proposes that the incidental ingestion of psilocybin-containing mushrooms over millions of years could have impacted hominin populations. Arce and Winkelman (2021) suggest that these mushrooms might have influenced stress-coping abilities and socio-cognitive dynamics, potentially contributing to the evolution of human sociality and cooperation.
It is essential to note that these theories are speculative and not widely accepted in the scientific community. More research is needed to understand better the potential influence of psilocybin mushrooms on human evolution.
Read more about how–particularly psilocybin-containing mushrooms–may have shaped our evolutionary trajectory on Psilocybin San Francisco.
The use of psychedelics for recreational or medicinal purposes should be approached with caution and respect, considering individual differences and potential risks.