--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the absence of good scientific data…" description: "\"In the absence of good scientific data about the effects of artificial hallucinogens it's good to stick to the natural ones.\" — Terence McKenna" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bd/terence-mckenna-287_absence_in-the-absence-of-good-scientific-data-a_2309394.png" --- # In the absence of good scientific data about the effects… ![“In the absence of good scientific data about the effects of artificial hallucinogens it's good to stick to the natural ones.” quote by Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bd/terence-mckenna-287_absence_in-the-absence-of-good-scientific-data-a_2309394.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bd/terence-mckenna-287_absence_in-the-absence-of-good-scientific-data-a_2309394.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bd/terence-mckenna-287_absence_in-the-absence-of-good-scientific-data-a_2309394.png) > “In the absence of good scientific data about the effects of artificial hallucinogens it's good to stick to the natural ones.” [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The statement suggests that when scientific evidence about synthetic psychedelics is lacking, one should prefer natural alternatives, implying a cautious approach to untested substances. **In simple terms:** Prefer natural hallucinogens when data on synthetic ones is missing. Key Takeaway Choose natural options in the absence of reliable data. Themes caution natural preference risk assessment Mood skeptical pragmatic Type ethical informative When to use this quote - personal experimentation - policy making - education - healthcare decisions Key Concepts psychedelic use scientific uncertainty health choices Questions to Reflect On - What are the risks of relying solely on natural substances? - How can we responsibly research synthetic hallucinogens? A Different Perspective It may dismiss potential benefits of synthetic compounds that could be studied safely. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) [Artificial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artificial/) [Artificial Hallucinogens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artificial-hallucinogens-5478917/) [Data](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/data/) [Effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects/) [Effects Artificial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects-artificial-2306412/) [Hallucinogens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hallucinogens/) [Hallucinogens Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hallucinogens-good-5478918/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Sticks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sticks/) ## Related quotes > [The truth is that we have no idea what the long-term effects of any artificial enhancement may be. 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