With his assertion that "...the map is not the territory" Alfred Korzybski(1) showed the potential for making incorrect assumptions based on the logical error of taking the theory (map) as being a wholly accurate representation of how a given system functions. Current pharmacological theories describe mechanisms of action by which a given bioactive substance acts to cause physiological changes in an individual organism. But speculative fiction (2) and progressive theoretical writings (3, 4) suggest the possibility that there are actions exerted by bioactive substances which extend beyond the individual organism and for which causative mechanisms have yet to be proposed.

There are observable phenomena which occur outside of a given subject organism which occur in correlation with the administration of a bioactive substance which has a demonstrable effect on the subject. One such example is the calming effect on the unit staff and/or the family of a psychiatric patient who has received a medication which results in a calming of that individual's agitation or anxiety. The staff and/or the patient's family will also report feeling calmer as well. And, while a direct causative mechanism has not yet been described, the phenomenon is well known and easily replicated. This would presumably make it researchable.

Another well known phenomena which is frequently seen in health care news is that of "antibiotic resistance". Continued use of antibiotic therapy for infections in individuals is resulting in many strains of "antibiotic resistant" organisms (Methicillin Resistant Staph. Aureus and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci are well known in hospital settings). For this phenomena two mechanisms have been described: 1) natural selection in which the organism with the capacity to neutralize a given antibiotic survives while those without that capacity succumb to the agent and 2) environmental transfer of genetic material which confers the trait of resistance in which the DNA/RNA containing the trait are transmitted to cells which did not already have the trait via the environment in which they exist.

Yet another phenomena as well known is that of the social and psychological reactions to the introduction, use (and abuse) of many bioactive substances. Reactions to birth control pills and abortifacients such as RU-486 are part of the historical record. The introduction of major tranquilizers, anti-depressants and mood regulating drugs have vastly changed the practice of psychiatry in a manner similar to Dr. Lister's introduction of phenol changing the thinking and practice in medicine and surgery.

The lack of theory to describe causative mechanisms for concurrent effects frequently results in the dismissal of the phenomenon or at least dismissal of the possibility of a causative connection (correlation does not equal causation). But this is the logical error against which Korzybski warns.

I am proposing the researching of possible causative mechanisms for the action of substances outside of the subject. These "extracorporeal effects" might well be used to suggest mechanisms by which substances exert effects on theoretical entities such as the "collective unconscious" or the "overmind" rendering these theoretical entities more validity and demystifying otherwise unexplainable phenomena.

Terrence McKenna alludes to such phenomena in "True Hallucinations" where he suggests mechanisms such as ESR (electron spin resonance) and possible links to DNA to explain the psychic effects of his experiments with psilocybin and harmaline.

Timothy Leary postulated eight "neural circuits" (5) and Stanislav Grof suggests the "Basic Perinatal Matrices" (6) to explain psychedelic phenomena they have observed.

Rupert Sheldrake (4) has elucidated the theory of "morphogenetic fields" to describe extracorporeal or intercorporeal mechanisms of learning.

I am suggesting that non-psychoactive substances are also subject to these or similar phenomena and that psychedelic research has opened this area of inquiry.

Notes

1. Korzybski, A. (1973) Science and sanity. 4th ed. Clinton, MA:Colonial Press.

2. Dick, P.K. (1974) Flow my tears, the policeman said. New York: Donald A.Wollheim.

3. McKenna, T. (1993) True hallucinations. New York: Harper Collins/Harper San Francisco.

4. Sheldrake, R. (1981) Anew science of life: the hypothesis of formative causation. London: Blond and Briggs

5. Leary, T. (1982) Changing my mind, among others. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc..

6. Grof, S. (1985) Beyond the brain. Albany: State University of New York.

The Time of the Naguals