entheogen
noun
en·the·o·gen
en-ˈthē-ə-jən 
plural entheogens
: a psychoactive, hallucinogenic substance or preparation (such as psilocybin or ayahuasca) especially when derived from plants or fungi and used in religious, spiritual, or ritualistic contexts
Entheogen is a neologism to designate psychoactive substances employed in culturally sanctioned visionary experiences in ritual or religious contexts.—
Carl A. P. Ruck
Carl A. P. RuckScholars of religion often call them entheogens, from the term "god within."—Jeremiah Creedon
Jeremiah Creedon
entheogenic
adjective
A recent resolution by Santa Cruz City Council has made the municipality the third in the U.S. to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms. The unanimous ruling makes the personal possession and use of so-called entheogenic plants and fungi … a low priority for law enforcement.
—David E. Carpenter
David E. Carpenter
an entheogenic plant/tea/substance
Examples of entheogen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cannabis can be categorized as an entheogen if that lies within your belief system — the Divine within, good for prayer and meditation.
—Philip Wolf, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2023
However, there are many other types of entheogens including peyote, ayahuasca and iboga.
—Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press, 11 Sep. 2023
In recent years, as American interest in psychedelics has risen, the use of psychoactive plants traditionally employed in spiritual practices—or entheogens—has soared.
—Sierra Crane Murdoch, Harper's Magazine, 3 May 2023
Under the influence For the record, when people use a hallucinogen as part of a religious or spiritual ritual (as opposed to just for fun), anthropologists call the substance an entheogen.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2020
Although there is one entheogen that is getting more and more popular by the day: good old cannabis.
—Javier Hasse, Forbes, 17 June 2022
Professionals in the industry regard the cannabis plant as an entheogen or a psychoactive substance used for various purposes.
—Amanda Reiman, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2021
The San Francisco Police have not laid out a specific policy regarding entheogen use, KPIX-TV reported.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN, 10 Sep. 2022
An entheogen is a psychoactive substance that has been historically used in spiritual contexts.
—Louis Metzger Iv, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Philip Wolf, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2023
However, there are many other types of entheogens including peyote, ayahuasca and iboga.
—Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press, 11 Sep. 2023
In recent years, as American interest in psychedelics has risen, the use of psychoactive plants traditionally employed in spiritual practices—or entheogens—has soared.
—Sierra Crane Murdoch, Harper's Magazine, 3 May 2023
Under the influence For the record, when people use a hallucinogen as part of a religious or spiritual ritual (as opposed to just for fun), anthropologists call the substance an entheogen.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2020
Although there is one entheogen that is getting more and more popular by the day: good old cannabis.
—Javier Hasse, Forbes, 17 June 2022
Professionals in the industry regard the cannabis plant as an entheogen or a psychoactive substance used for various purposes.
—Amanda Reiman, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2021
The San Francisco Police have not laid out a specific policy regarding entheogen use, KPIX-TV reported.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN, 10 Sep. 2022
An entheogen is a psychoactive substance that has been historically used in spiritual contexts.
—Louis Metzger Iv, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022
Articles Related to entheogen
Dictionary Entries Near entheogen
Cite this Entry
“Entheogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entheogen. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share