The transition fromearly homininto modern human being is quite a bounce , and some research worker trust that the development of complex cognition and sociality may have been accelerate by international factor . The " stoned copycat theory " suggests that wasting disease of magic mushroom by our ancient ancestors kick - started the enlargement of our genial capacities . To date , this extremely speculative speculation has no firmly supporting evidence , yet a new clause in the journalFrontiers in Psychologyattempts to argue the guinea pig for this gaga possibility .
Penned by main research worker José Manuel Rodríguez Arce and Dr Michael Winkleman from Arizona State University , the newspaper states that “ hominin evolution fall out in an ever - changing , and at times quickly commute , environmental landscape and entailed progression into a socio - cognitive niche . ” In other words , the challenge of survival created a need for greater intelligence , cooperative communication , and social erudition .
concord to the author , these trait are highly dependant upon serotonin , a neurotransmitter created from the amino group superman tryptophan . However , as humanity are unable to bring about tryptophan , the researcher argue that the only way early hominins could have boosted their serotonin levels was by eat magic mushroom .
To back this up , they guide to recent studies that have hinted at the potential of psychedelics to treat mental wellness disorders such asdepression , mainly by trip serotonin receptors andenhancing neuronal plasticity . They claim that the ancient consumption of these substances may have allow for novel way of cognition to emerge while also facilitate the growth of our brain .
drive thing a tone further , the author excuse that the intake of psychedelic plants may have encouraged social soldering among ancient hominins , mother euphoria and laugh while enhance the capacity for storytelling and music . This , they say , help to create certainpro - societal tendenciesthat promoted group cohesiveness and assist endurance .
While all of this may sound plausible , the fact remains that there is no solid evidence test that former hominins consume mind - altering centre . Despite this , however , the authors importune that “ our hominin ancestors inevitably encounter and likely take in psychedelic mushrooms throughout their evolutionary history . ” They also head to archaeological evidence suggesting that prehistoric humans eat mushroom-shaped cloud , and claim that various type of fungi have heavily in the diet of former human race .
In spitefulness of these averment , it ’s important to note that this combative theory remains unrefined and divinatory . Recognizing this , the authors admit that the truth about whether or not early hominins eat wizard mushrooms “ will forever remain uncertain . ”
Nonetheless , they take a firm stand that “ psychedelics ’ effects in enhancing sociality , imaging , smoothness , and suggestibility may have increase adaptability and fitness [ of other hominins ] . ”
“ In particular , the interpersonal and prosocial effects of psilocybin may have mediated the expansion of societal bonding mechanics such as laugh , euphony , storytelling , and religion , imposing a systematic preconception on the selective surround that favored selection for prosociality in our origin . ”
If they ’re good , then it could mean that we owe our intelligence and social skills to a bunch of tripping primate .
