Soma and Haoma: Ayahuasca analogues from the Late Bronze Age
Journal of Psychedelic Studies June 1, 2019 Matthew Clark 22 citations
The article explores the origins of the ritual drink soma/haoma, known as the 'nectar of immortality' in ancient Asian literature. It assesses shortcomings of previous botanical candidates and identifies plants that contain dimethyl tryptamine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and other psychedelic substances. The author suggests that complex formulas similar to ayahuasca were developed in Central Asia through trial and error, and knowledge of psychoactive plants spread via migrants to Persia and India. The article summarizes arguments from the author's book, without elaborating on topics like Greek mystery rites, cannabis, or criteria for non-ordinary states of consciousness.