PREFIX: I might mistakenly conflate toad venom and ayahuasca at times, but I understand they are two distinct substances. While ayahuasca contains DMT, the effects of toad venom and ayahuasca are vastly different.
Today I decided to watch the film Across the Universe, a title borrowed from a Beatles song. Who doesn’t love the Beatles? I‘m enjoying (enjoying because I didn’t finish) the film and got emotional on certain parts, sometimes for no particular reason, and other times for thinking back on my life or life in general. It is a film that revolves around songs from the Beatles and takes place in the 1960s counterculture movement with the hippies, psychedelics, LCD, Timothy Leary, Vietnam War, and the like. You know, the whole “Turn on, tune in, drop out.” A history I’m fond of and learned a lot about gradually over the years.
What happened in the next decades was a whole lot scarier with the “Satanic Panic” era, which spanned the late 1970s through the 1990s. The Satanic Panic is well worth researching for anyone interested in going down that rabbit hole — especially for social scientists, which was marked by widespread fear and moral panic in the United States (and to some extent in other countries) about alleged Satanic ritual abuse (SRA) and child abductions. Some of it still lingers today and season 4 of Strangers Things took inspiration from the Satanic Panic with Dungeons & Dragons, heavy metal, and more.
Then during the movie, I realized that today on November 15th, the famous heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson will be fighting the popular Youtuber turn boxer Jake Paul. Since it is all over social media I cannot escape it.
To be frank, when I first heard about this fight, I did not care about it at all and was not planning on watching it. I‘m not even subscribed to Netflix, which I was using my sister’s account until she left for college a few months ago. But now, however, upon further inspection and reading, I have a change of heart about this gladiator match and will have to subscribe to Netflix to watch.
Comedian Josh Johnson has a very funny bit about this boxing event. What caught my attention was when he mentioned that the reason Jake Paul is fighting Mike Tyson, who is one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in history, is because he took ayahuasca. And when he took the ayahuasca, he saw himself fighting Mike Tyson.
Curious . . .
Now, I found that rather interesting and odd. My mind was racing as I considered multiple theories, as someone who had previously gone down the rabbit holes on this topic and experienced a spiritual awakening and mystical experiences.
I must add that I have never done drugs and been pretty square my whole life. The most “hardcore” substance I’ve done was drinking alcohol on rare special occasions like parties or at a bar, and I always hated how it tasted. Thus I never feel obliged to drink or take drugs.
Since my early 20s, I’ve seen the world vastly differently than most folks and understand to some degree what it means to unveil or pierce through the door of perception like William Blake.
To get back on topic, I wondered what must have been that experience like for Jake Paul to take ayahuasca, and why for all sense and purposes it made him fight one of the strongest and baddest man that boxing has ever produced. You have to be either insane or extremely egotistic because isn’t that suicide?
Granted, many would say Mike Tyson is past his prime, too old now to be taking on a younger and hungry boxer. Tyson would likely disagree that he is past his prime, and who could question him otherwise? If he has his mind set on the match to go through with it, despite previously it being held up due to his medical issues and near-death experience, who is going to stop him, but himself?
Nonetheless, the line between insanity and one’s ego is blurred. You have to be mad or have the courage to go after your dreams. Needless to say, an ambitious goal often requires courage and a hint of madness.
What makes this more queer is that yesterday I came across and read a Medium article about some CEOs taking ayahuasca by Caitlyn Johnson. She often writes about the wars going on and strongly criticizes the U.S. and the other countries, which I often sadly ignore and this was a change of pace. Some excerpts:
- I saw a fascinating tweet by BloomTech CEO Austen Allred the other day that stirred up a lot of thoughts here.
- “Of the Silicon Valley founders I know who went on some of the psychedelic self-discovery trips, almost 100% quit their jobs as CEO within a year,” Allred said, adding, “Could be random anecdotes, but be careful with that stuff.”
- Allred tweeted this in response to writer Ashlee Vance sharing that he’d been told by a venture capitalist, “We’ve lost several really good founders to ayahuasca. They came back and just didn’t care about much anymore.”
Caitlyn’s article dives into how psychedelics, particularly ayahuasca, can shatter the illusions propping up our modern definition of success. It explores why so many wealthy individuals find themselves disillusioned after achieving everything they thought they wanted, only to seek clarity in a Peruvian jungle consuming a drug.
Caitlyn goes on to rant about capitalism, and how our society’s obsession with wealth and power stems from deep emotional wounds and false narratives. Yet, Psychedelics, or deep self-reflection, can help dispel these illusions. True happiness and peace aren’t found in material achievements but in seeing life as it really is and healing from within.
Here’s a paradox: Why do venture capitalists from Silicon Valley lose their ambition after taking ayahuasca, while figures like Jake Paul and Mike Tyson seem to become even more driven?
One theory is that the goals these CEOs were chasing weren’t aligned with their true calling, or perhaps they weren’t fulfilling on a deeper level. Ayahuasca could have helped them see that their pursuits weren’t authentic to who they really were or what they truly wanted to accomplish. Maybe, for them, the ends didn’t justify the means.
Or, perhaps their means of acquiring success through Silicon Valley, through the mostly materialistic, consumer-driven, and capitalistic society we live in did not justify the ends and these CEOs had the sudden realization that it would end up causing more harm than good for society, and their psyche.
Finally, maybe they just needed to take a break and find their true purpose and meaning by exploring nature. Nature can heal one’s soul. Or maybe the truth of what they saw led them to take a step back and recover from their experience, therefore they need some time off.
However, the tweet mentioned in Caitlyn’s article said that these CEOs came back, and didn’t have the same ambition as they once had. They simply did not care anymore. Research is needed to explain this phenomenon, specifically with these CEOs in Silicon Valley to make close-aproximate conclusions.
However, Mike Tyson said a few years ago that he had taken something called the toad which has taken a lot of his ambition away, especially boxing. Tyson often refers to 5-MeO-DMT, which is a powerful psychedelic compound found in the secretion of the Bufo alvarius toad, also known as the Colorado River toad or the Sonoran Desert toad.
The toad’s secretion contains high levels of 5-MeO-DMT, a potent and fast-acting substance that, when smoked, can induce intense psychedelic experiences. Tyson has spoken publicly about how this experience changed his life, offering him a sense of spiritual awakening and a profound shift in perspective.
Ayahuasca, which is often consumed in a ceremonial brew, 5-MeO-DMT is typically smoked and is known for its brief but intense effects, often leading to deep states of ego dissolution or transcendence. Tyson credits it with helping him confront personal struggles and find a sense of peace.
I found this Times article on Mike Tyson’s reasons for his comeback:
Mike Tyson, one of the greatest and most controversial boxers in the sport’s history, is no stranger to the fine art of promotion. At 58, and long past his athletic prime, he was still able to add a layer of curiosity to his upcoming, made-for-TV boxing match against the YouTuber Jake Paul by telling Interview magazine that God had told him to come out of retirement while he was experiencing the hallucinogenic effects of smoking toad venom.
“You rub it down until it become fine sand, and then you smoke it,” Mr. Tyson said of a substance produced by the Sonoran Desert toad during an interview with Rosie Perez, the actress and avid boxing fan. “Then you meet God. And this is what God told me to do.”
Mr. Tyson told Ms. Perez that he first smoked toad venom — which, according to herpetologists, is a poison, not a venom — about seven years ago with the assistance of a shaman. And while Mr. Tyson did not see God, he said, he felt God’s presence. And what was that feeling?
“That I’m nothing,” Mr. Tyson said, “but I’m everything.”
He went on to describe a “spiritual death” of sorts.
“It’s good to be afraid because you realize there’s nothing to be afraid of,” Mr. Tyson said in the interview. “That’s what the toad is all about: dying with dignity, and not being afraid of dying.”
While Mr. Tyson did not specify his toad venom of choice — he referred to it as the “spiritual medicine called the toad” — the secretions of the Sonoran Desert toad, which produce a hallucinogen known as 5-MeO-DMT, or Bufo, have attracted a following among people who have turned to psychedelics to treat mental disorders and addiction.
But in addition to issuing warnings about the illicit use of the venom, which is classified by the government as a Schedule 1 substance, scientists have voiced concerns about over-harvesting that could lead to collapses in native toad populations.
Mr. Tyson has his own theories. He told Ms. Perez that toad venom had not been legalized because “everybody might start loving each other.” He went on: “And we don’t want that, do we?”
Mr. Tyson said that he had smoked toad venom more than 80 times — and counting.
“Now,” he said, “I’m a professional. I can’t live without it.”
But aside from participating in a handful of exhibitions, Mr. Tyson has not fought in years. Many have described his coming bout against Mr. Paul as little more than a publicity stunt and an easy payday, with both men expected to be paid tens of millions of dollars. In his interview with Ms. Perez, Mr. Tyson said that money had nothing to do with it.
“This fight is not going to change my life or my finances or nothing,” said Mr. Tyson, who acknowledged that the fight was his idea. “You got a YouTuber that has 70 million fans. And I’m the greatest fighter since the beginning of life, so what does that make? That makes an explosion of excitement.”
Indeed, based on reading the New York Times article, Mike Tyson has experienced an ego death when he took this powerful hallucinogenic drug called the toad venom. He didn’t see God, but he felt God’s presence, which coincides with many of the great spiritual men of the past who spoke of this experience.
However, many of these same great spiritual men have cautioned people not to worship or obsess over these drugs (e.g. yogi medicine) that can give you a glimpse of the Truth. It will do more harm than good as it appears this is what has occurred to Mike Tyson who is kind of addicted to this drug. Tyson said that he had smoked toad venom more than 80 times — and counting! and that he is a professional and can’t live without it.
That is concerning if I say so myself that the same drug that can help people battling addiction, can make others addicted to it. Isn’t that ironic? In other words, the world is funny in that way and quite a comedian, making a mockery of yourself and others. Tyson has said in a podcast that he had a cocaine addiction before taking ayahuasca. In other words, he replaced one addiction with another. Tsk, tsk. Although he replaced cocaine with a potent drug that helps explore one’s inner-outer-self.
Now, my theories on Jake Paul, how he fits into this equation, and why it would make sense that the ayahuasca told him to fight Mike Tyson and vice versa.
Jake Paul might be content with his life and views boxing, and this fight in particular, as integral to his purpose. Perhaps the “toad,” “God,” or a higher cosmic force told Mike Tyson and Jake Paul to return to the ring because, in that psychedelic realm, it was determined that these two were destined to meet and face each other. The psychedelic and spiritual realm doesn’t necessarily follow traditional logic or reason; sometimes, things in that altered state simply are.
Another angle is that Jake Paul might have foreseen or even manifested this matchup. It is not out of the realm of possibility that one of Jake Paul’s dreams is to become the best boxer in the world, an audacious goal. In Mike Tyson’s mind — or in the “toad’s” symbolic vision — Mike Tyson represents the ultimate challenge, the pinnacle of what Jake must conquer to fulfill that dream.
Tyson is the archetype of “the baddest and strongest man on the planet,” and Jake Paul overcoming him would be a crucial step toward achieving greatness. Ironically, feeding into his own ego, and our egos by watching the fight, and feeding theirs.
Oh, ego, how imaginary you are. Both useful and useless.
I must add, that I don’t really like it when people start throwing the word narcissism around at pretty much anyone. Jake Paul is no exception as he is constantly being labeled the N-word. It is not as meaningful and does not fully explore someone’s psyche, or add nuance to the human experience.
Interestingly, manifesting a dream and glimpsing the future can sometimes be the same thing. While the future isn’t set in stone — since time can shift or choices might lead to alternate paths — the universe often conspires to align with a person’s ambitions. When someone is deeply connected to their purpose, forces beyond our common sense logic may pave the way for them to achieve it.
The universe will do what it will do for its sake. If we must, might as well enjoy the ride. . .
*UPDATE* — Aftermath of the fight.
After watching the match, I realized it was a bit of a disaster, with Netflix handling the number of folks streaming it live and the main event itself. Not to mention how defenseless Mike Tyson looked at his age and the odd tik of biting his glove every 10 seconds. Yet, it appears that Jake Paul has always looked up and was inspired by Mike Tyson. Hence, this could be the main reason he saw this fight on his hallucinogenic trip, something achievable and ambitious to do, to beat the great Mike Tyson.
Perhaps Jake Paul wanted to get a taste of what it is like to fight a living legend and test his abilities, regardless if Mike Tyson was not the young champion he once was. Paul going into this fight probably wanted to prove to himself that he was the best even though his fighting record included mostly retired, or non-boxers.
Still, the fight wasn’t good. Mike Tyson was not as springy as his previous bout with Roy Jones Jr. during the peak of the Covid pandemic. Mike Tyson on an X post said he nearly died back in June, which stalled the first initial fight date. In other words, Mike Tyson had no business being in that ring even if God or the goddamn toad venom told him to do it!
The fight would be far more entertaining if both men were in their prime — around 25 years old. Nonetheless, there is mutual respect between the two fighters. But Jake Paul seems to have previously held more reverence for Mike Tyson for what he has accomplished in the sport. In the post-fight,
Jake Paul said he did not want to hurt Mike Tyson badly and probably saw how defenseless Tyson was, therefore, he spared him from hurting him badly. Thank god for that because Mike Tyson could have literally died in that ring creating a huge embarrassment and avoiding a huge blunder for all involved.
The biggest winners were the people who made a lot of money. Maybe there was a grander plan that unintentionally was part of the greater good: to make money circulate in the economy.
https://x.com/HappyPunch/status/1857659348832432174
ChatGPT:
Toad venom and Ayahuasca are both substances used for their psychoactive and spiritual effects, but they are fundamentally different in their origins, active compounds, and experiences. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Source
- Toad Venom (5-MeO-DMT): Comes from the secretion of the Bufo alvarius toad (Sonoran Desert Toad). The venom is typically dried and smoked.
- Ayahuasca: A brew made from combining plants, typically Banisteriopsis caapi (which contains MAO inhibitors) and Psychotria viridis or other DMT-containing plants.
2. Active Compounds
- Toad Venom: Contains 5-MeO-DMT, a highly potent psychedelic compound.
- Ayahuasca: Contains DMT (dimethyltryptamine) as its primary psychoactive compound, activated by MAO inhibitors in the brew that allow it to be orally active.
3. Duration of Effects
- Toad Venom: The experience is short, typically lasting 15–30 minutes, but is extremely intense and fast-acting.
- Ayahuasca: The effects last much longer, often 4–6 hours, with a gradual onset.
4. Experience and Effects
- Toad Venom: The 5-MeO-DMT experience is often described as a rapid dissolution of the ego and a profound sense of unity or oneness. It can feel like an immediate immersion into a non-dual state or the void.
- Ayahuasca: The experience is more gradual and complex, often involving vivid visions, emotional processing, and deep introspection. It can include revisiting past traumas, connecting with spiritual entities, and gaining insights into one’s life.
5. Cultural Context
- Toad Venom: Traditionally used in shamanic rituals by some Indigenous groups in Mexico, but it has become more popular in modern therapeutic and spiritual contexts.
- Ayahuasca: Deeply rooted in the shamanic traditions of the Amazon basin, where it is used for healing, divination, and spiritual ceremonies.
6. Safety and Risks
- Toad Venom: Because of its intensity, it can be overwhelming or traumatic if not prepared for properly. Physical side effects are rare but can include a racing heart or respiratory issues.
- Ayahuasca: Can cause nausea, vomiting (commonly called la purga), and diarrhea as part of its cleansing process. There are also risks if mixed with certain medications, such as antidepressants (SSRIs).
7. Availability
- Toad Venom: Its collection raises ethical concerns, as it can harm Bufo alvarius populations. Synthetic 5-MeO-DMT is becoming a more sustainable alternative.
- Ayahuasca: Made from plants, but harvesting of ingredients like Banisteriopsis caapi has raised sustainability concerns as well.
In summary, toad venom provides a short, intense, and often ineffable experience centered on ego dissolution, while Ayahuasca offers a longer, vision-filled journey with opportunities for deep introspection and healing. Both are powerful tools but should be approached with caution, preparation, and respect for their cultural origins.
Sources:
P.S. On this day November 15th, 2024, ironically speaking, remember that I watched a film about the 1960s, called Across the Universe.
On This Day: 1969 An estimated 2 million people take part in the Vietnam War Moratorium demonstration across the United States.
P.S.2. I’ll add that I had previously dreamt this year of literally going down the rabbit hole like the story of Alice in Wonderland, being weirded out about it, but extremely content and found solace knowing this wasn’t real; that it was a play, a drama, and so forth.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCwu3IPqrGV/?hl=en [Popular Mechanics — Psychedelics.
Social Scholarly 