An entheogen is a substance understood or used in a spiritual, ceremonial or meaning-centered context. The term comes from Greek roots commonly interpreted as generating or awakening the divine within.
Entheogen and psychedelic are not exact synonyms. “Psychedelic” commonly describes a class of experiences or substances through psychological, pharmacological or cultural language. “Entheogen” emphasizes intention, spiritual meaning or ceremonial context. The same substance may be described differently depending on the context in which it is discussed.
The word does not make a substance safe, legal, appropriate or spiritually beneficial. Context does not eliminate contraindications, interactions, psychological risk, uncertain composition, ecological pressure or the need for informed decision-making.
The Entheogen Series uses the term because each gathering considers more than pharmacology. We examine relationships among the featured entheogen, its ecology, communities of knowledge, cultural history, scientific evidence, spiritual significance and known risks.