'The Divine Spark: Psychedelics, Consciousness, and the Birth of Civilization' Book Review

The Divine Spark: Psychedelics, Consciousness, and the Birth of Civilization Book Review



     Graham Hancock is known for his weighty themes and titles, and in this newest work he does not disappoint. The book is a collection of essays from scientists, academics, artists, theologians, medical doctors, authors, and others. Together they explore the relationships between anthropology (especially ethnopharmacology), psychology, biology, ecology, and even physics. However, while discussion of psychedelics and consciousness is explicit and prevalent, disappointingly little mention is made of “the birth of civilization,” or in those terms, at least.

     Consciousness and civilization stemming from the use of psychotropic substances (aka. hallucinogens, entheogens, psychointegrators) is an idea which hearkens to Terrance McKenna’s “Stoned Ape Theory.” This idea postulates that the enormous explosion in humans’ brain volume around 100,000 BCE is due to use of psychointegrators. Perhaps a more realistic assertion, some contemporaries suggest, is that the advent of symbolism, abstractions, and ancient art are partly influenced by psychoactive substances. Hancock’s collected writers posit that human-included (not human-dominated) ecological harmonies owe thanks to ingestion of certain alkaloids.

     My use of verbose terminology mirrors the academic approach of this book. It is not intended to be a simple read, or perhaps it is difficult for doctorate holders who write scientifically for a living to engage in pop literature. Hancock himself is wonderfully skilled at dialogue with a variety of audiences, as are a few other nonacademic contributors, such as Russell Brand.

     A number of authors are veterans of the counterculture movement and their distrust of authority is apparent. The underlying thread of contrarianism may be referring to a “birth of civilization” yet to come, though most discussion regarding ‘civilization’ focuses on its shortcomings. The authors rally again the domineering Western culture, citing such grievances as the Europeans’ genocide and cultural destruction of the Americas – a hemisphere raped in more ways than one.

     Despite the bristling at current power structures, this is a group of people who very soberly address intoxication. These are not toddlers coming to the grown-up table demanding to be taken seriously. These are students of a maligned branch of knowledge who are carefully presenting a collective thesis to a society that has been conditioned to shame or persecute their work. And these men and women should be heard. Divine Spark is valid testimony of the gravity and beneficence of sacred plants.

     Are the authors encouraging citizens to take drugs? To express their unspoken sentiment in my own words, “It’s illegal and we’re not telling you to do it, but do it.” Furthermore, they identify the hypocrisy of today’s drug legality. How can a culture which permits nicotine, alcohol, and sugar (three of the largest threats to national health) curse indigenous plants and fungi? Hancock maintains that the ‘War on Drugs’ is really a ‘War on Consciousness,’ a most egregious infraction upon individual human sovereignty. Additionally, what role do big pharmaceutical companies play? Why would these powerful entities allow substances that can quickly and effectively and cheaply cure depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. when there is so much profit to be made from the perennial pill? This is not mere conspiratorial grumbling, but evidence-based skepticism of modern, ineffective prohibitions.

     Hancock masterfully weaves tales of personal experiences alongside educated inductions. For me, the most powerful section of Divine Spark is Rick Strassman’s “Preparation for the Journey.” This no-frills chapter explains the optimal environment under which a person may choose to have a psychedelic experience. Strassman, like Hancock, is a legend in certain circles. According to Wikipedia, “after twenty years of intermission, Strassman was the first person in the United States to undertake human research with psychedelic, hallucinogenic, or entheogenic substances.” His instructions are absolutely essential for outsiders to begin understanding the phenomenon of ‘tripping’, and are equally important for the trippers themselves. As a medical doctor and repeated researcher of successful experimental trials on the topic, Strassman’s words are indelible.

     While psychedelics sit in the forefront of this book’s discussions, the variety of ideas is unconstrained. For the uninitiated, this collection of essays contains novel and interesting information. For anyone who is familiar with these topics, it is a drink of fresh water after a long walk.

     The Divine Spark, like the subjects it approaches, is not easy to pin down, making for an exciting read anyone who engages it seriously.



Thank you for reading.