--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's as though a certain level of…" description: "\"It's as though a certain level of intoxication with the mushroom is the precondition for being able to communicate, but is not itself enough.\" — Terenc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaa/terence-mckenna-287_able_it-s-as-though-a-certain-level-of-intoxi_2082167.jpg" --- # It's as though a certain level of intoxication with the… ![“It's as though a certain level of intoxication with the mushroom is the precondition for being able to communicate, but is not itself enough.” quote by Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaa/terence-mckenna-287_able_it-s-as-though-a-certain-level-of-intoxi_2082167.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaa/terence-mckenna-287_able_it-s-as-though-a-certain-level-of-intoxi_2082167.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eaa/terence-mckenna-287_able_it-s-as-though-a-certain-level-of-intoxi_2082167.jpg) > “It's as though a certain level of intoxication with the mushroom is the precondition for being able to communicate, but is not itself enough.” [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. Psychedelic experience can open doors to new communication, but it alone does not ensure meaningful exchange. **In simple terms:** Mushrooms open communication doors, but not enough. Key Takeaway Combine insight with practice. Themes psychedelics communication consciousness Mood curious cautious Type philosophical exploratory When to use this quote - artistic collaboration - therapy sessions - spiritual gatherings Key Concepts altered perception dialogue creative insight Questions to Reflect On - How do you integrate altered insights into daily life? - What safeguards are needed for safe exploration? A Different Perspective The experience can be misinterpreted or destabilizing without context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Intoxication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intoxication/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) ## Related quotes > [Could any symbol be any more appropriate of the ambiguity of human transformation? What mushroom is it that grows at the end of history?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/could-any-symbol-be-any-more-appropriate-of-the-ambiguity-of-human/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Ayahuasca, unlike mushrooms and all these other things is only as good as the person who made it. . . . The ayahuasca is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/ayahuasca-unlike-mushrooms-and-all-these-other-things-is-only-as-good/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [The only evil that associates itself with mushrooms is taking too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/the-only-evil-that-associates-itself-with-mushrooms-is-taking-too/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [On these matters of specific fact, like is the mushroom an extraterrestrial and that sort of thing, I haven't the faintest idea. The mushroom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/on-these-matters-of-specific-fact-like-is-the-mushroom-an/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [The 20th century mind is nostalgic for the paradise that once existed on the mushroom dotted plains of Africa where the plant-human symbiosis occurred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/the-20th-century-mind-is-nostalgic-for-the-paradise-that-once-existed/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [What happens with DMT is you leap over all the barriers in the first few seconds. Unlike mushrooms where over hours and hours on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/what-happens-with-dmt-is-you-leap-over-all-the-barriers-in-the-first/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [It is no coincidence that a rebirth of psychedelic use is occuring as we acquire the technological capability to leave the planet. The mushroom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/it-is-no-coincidence-that-a-rebirth-of-psychedelic-use-is-occuring-as/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Everyone needs an open mind and an accepting heart. With a combination of these two aspects, you will be able to communicate sensibly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lobsang-tenzin/everyone-needs-an-open-mind-and-an-accepting-heart-with-a-combination/) [Lobsang Tenzin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lobsang-tenzin/) > [“True friendship means being able to communicate even in silence, being able to share your hopes and fears even without uttering a single word.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justice-okereke/true-friendship-means-being-able-to-communicate-even-in-silence-being/) Justice Okereke > [The most important thing for a director is being able to communicate. When you communicate comfortably, regardless of what you're saying, it can always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/the-most-important-thing-for-a-director-is-being-able-to-communicate-2/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [It's nice to be able to communicate digitally with people around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-leto/it-s-nice-to-be-able-to-communicate-digitally-with-people-around-the/) [Jared Leto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-leto/) > [I think I need to play somebody who expresses themselves and is able to communicate on a more open level, something really different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-foy/i-think-i-need-to-play-somebody-who-expresses-themselves-and-is-able/) [Claire Foy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-foy/) > [In a few years, men will be able to communicate more effectively through a machine than face to face. That is a rather startling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-r-licklider/in-a-few-years-men-will-be-able-to-communicate-more-effectively/) [J. C. R. Licklider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-r-licklider/) > [“I believe that being able to communicate directly with readers is a boon. I certainly enjoy it as much as they do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/i-believe-that-being-able-to-communicate-directly-with-readers-is-a/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) > [The most important thing for a director is being able to communicate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/the-most-important-thing-for-a-director-is-being-able-to-communicate/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) ## More by Terence McKenna > [History was an incredibly damaging experience, and now it's over . . . in a sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/history-was-an-incredibly-damaging-experience-and-now-it-s-over-in-a/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [The history of man that you don't know is what your unconscious is made out of. Just as the history of yourself that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/the-history-of-man-that-you-don-t-know-is-what-your-unconscious-is/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [We are consciousness. We may not always be monkeys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-consciousness-we-may-not-always-be-monkeys/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [What is happening here is we are living past the age, by the millions, living past the age where cultural values make any sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/what-is-happening-here-is-we-are-living-past-the-age-by-the-millions/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [What history is, essentially, is a careening, out-of-control effort to find our way back to this state of primordial balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/what-history-is-essentially-is-a-careening-out-of-control-effort-to/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [And what is the primary datum? It's the felt presence of immediate experience. In other words, being here now is the primary datum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/and-what-is-the-primary-datum-it-s-the-felt-presence-of-immediate/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Our culture difinitely takes an egocentric dominator view. The fear of the psychedelic experience is quite literally the fear of losing control. Dominator types…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/our-culture-difinitely-takes-an-egocentric-dominator-view-the-fear-of/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Every step into freedom contains within it the potential for greater bondage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/every-step-into-freedom-contains-within-it-the-potential-for-greater/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [This is the message of your life and my life - it’s that nothing lasts. Heraclitus said it: Panta Rhei. All flows, nothing lasts.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/this-is-the-message-of-your-life-and-my-life-it-s-that-nothing-lasts/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [I often like to think that our map of the world is wrong, that where we have centered physics, we should actually place literature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/i-often-like-to-think-that-our-map-of-the-world-is-wrong-that-where/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Knowledge, or verbal facility, is no proof that you know what you're talking about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/knowledge-or-verbal-facility-is-no-proof-that-you-know-what-you-re/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [No culture on earth is as heavily narcotized as the industrial West in terms of being inured to the consequences of maladaptive behavior. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/no-culture-on-earth-is-as-heavily-narcotized-as-the-industrial-west/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Man was not put on this planet to toil in the mud. Or the god who put us on this planet to toil in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/man-was-not-put-on-this-planet-to-toil-in-the-mud-or-the-god-who-put/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [If you take psychedelics and the Internet and music and put all of that together you have the basis for a new community that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/if-you-take-psychedelics-and-the-internet-and-music-and-put-all-of/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) [Explore all 745 Terence McKenna quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. 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I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. 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