Sam Harris speaks with Brian Muraresku about ancient mystery religions and the possible psychedelic roots of Christianity. They discuss the Mysteries of Eleusis, the pagan continuity hypothesis, the cult of Dionysius, the Dead Sea scrolls and the Gnostic Gospels, Christianity as a cult of human sacrifice, the evidence for the use of psychedelics in ancient rites, and the need for a modern Mysteries of Eleusis.

Brian Muraresku is the author of The Immortality Key. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: – InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/lex and use code Lex25 to get 25% off – GiveWell: https://www.givewell.org/ and use code LEX to get donation matched up to $1k – NI: https://www.ni.com/perspectives – Indeed: https://indeed.com/lex to get $75 credit – MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/lex to get 15% off EPISODE LINKS: Brian’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianmuraresku Brian’s website: https://www.brianmuraresku.com Immortality Key (book): https://amzn.to/3iNYBfB PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: – Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast – Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman – Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman – Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) – Introduction (09:46) – Who or what is God? (25:15) – Terence McKenna’s DMT Trips (29:58) – Psychedelics were the source of collective intelligence (40:30) – Psychedelics in ancient alcohol (43:30) – The Immortality Key (46:16) – Jesus and psychedelic wine (58:56) – Role of rituals in human society (1:02:37) – Human confrontation with death (1:05:15) – The future of the human experience (1:17:07) – The role of religion in society (1:22:54) – The future of psychedelics research (1:26:05) – Fasting and meditation as religious experiences (1:29:44) – Neuralink and BCIs (1:36:42) – Is LSD a crutch or an aid in creative work (1:39:21) – Nietzsche said God is dead (1:41:48) – Creatures people meet while on psychedelics (1:47:18) – Consciousness (1:53:41) – Books or movies that made an impact (1:57:39) – Meaning of life

This podcast was recorded on May 14th, 2021.In today’s episode, Dr. Jordan Peterson is accompanied by author Brian Muraresku and Professor Carl Ruck to unravel the secrets of ancient Greek culture and religion. They embark upon the sinuous journey of discussing psychedelics in Ancient Greek religion, and how both Brian and Professor Ruck became deeply invested in understanding the subject.Today we meet with Brian Muraresku, who tells us why and how he was drawn to research the role of psychedelics within Western civilization. Muraresku is also the author of The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion With No Name.Carl Ruck is an American professor who’s known for his extensive research on mythology and religion regarding the sacred role of entheogens; a selection of psychoactive plants that are known for inducing altered states of reality or consciousness. Ruck co-authored the book The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries, and is currently teaching mythology classes supporting this theory at Boston University.

Sam Harris speaks with Brian Muraresku about ancient mystery religions and the possible psychedelic roots of Christianity. They discuss the Mysteries of Eleusis, the 'pagan continuity hypothesis,' the cult of Dionysius, the Dead Sea scrolls and the Gnostic Gospels, Christianity as a cult of human sacrifice, the evidence for the use of psychedelics in ancient rites, the chemical analysis of ancient wine and beer, why Brian hasn't tried psychedelics, and the need for a modern Mysteries of Eleusis.

Author Brian Muraresku discusses 'The Immortality Key' book, exploring psychedelics, ancient symbols, mysteries of life, and connections between spirituality, psychedelics, and religion. Touching on theatrical experiences with Dionysus, psychedelic journeys, near-death reflections, and mystical Christianity with the Jesuits, the podcast delves into deep topics with humorous anecdotes.

Author Brian Muraresku discusses the secret history of the religion with no name, the role of psychedelics in the origins of Western civilization, the significance of Carl Ruck in uncovering the ancient Greeks' use of psychedelics, the transition from beer to wine in religious rituals, the influence of psychedelics on the development of religion and their potential solution to humanity's existential crisis, the profiles and populations drawn to psychedelic experiences, and the author's ongoing search for ancient discoveries and mysteries.

Brian Muraresku, author of 'The Immortality Key', discusses the growing acceptance of psychedelics and their link to ancient cultures. They explore topics like ancient humans' cultural development, the impact of human technology on other species, diseases' impact on indigenous people, cult leaders and manipulation, psychedelic experiences in float tanks, and ancient cultures' use of psychedelics.

Author Brian Murarescu explores the role of psychedelics in the rise and spread of Christianity, including their influence on Greek culture and ancient rituals. He discusses the concept of dying before you die and the potential for a contemplative faith. The podcast also explores the transformative effect of psychedelics on one's perception of God and the desire for a direct experience of the divine.

Sam Harris speaks with Brian Murarescu about ancient mystery religions and the possible psychedelic roots of Christianity. They discuss the Mysteries of Eleusis, the “pagan continuity hypothesis,” the cult of Dionysius, the Dead Sea scrolls and the Gnostic Gospels, Christianity as a cult of human sacrifice, the evidence for the use of psychedelics in ancient rites, and the chemical analysis of ancient wine and beer.

Lawyer and author Brian Murarescu explores the possibility of ancient philosophers attending secret psychedelic ceremonies. He discusses the influence of these ceremonies on Christianity, the decline of ancient Greek rituals, and the presence of ergot in ancient beverages. The chapter also explores the abandonment of psychoactive substances in church rituals and delves into the mysteries of Elusis and the Holy Sacrament, drawing parallels between the cult of Jesus and Dionysus.