There are few things more far out than pondering a bunch of gigantic reptiles taking up residence on planet earth. Dinosaurs spent 165 million years roaming the globe and have since been extinct for 65 million years. Fossils, bones, resin and other evidence of their existence have fascinated humankind since the first discovery in 1677, though the word ‘dinosaur’ wasn’t coined until 1841. Before then, it’s believed that dinosaur remnants were more likely just referred to as dragons. These fantastical creatures are identified and categorized into two orders (carnivores and herbivores) and span a variety of over 700 species. Winged creatures, long-necked ocean swimmers, short-armed apex predators, and sauropods with tree trunks for legs — these beings seem almost mythical. But perhaps the most intriguing scenario to consider is the possibility of psychedelic dinosaurs.
Did dinos feast on psychedelic fungus? Munch on magic mushrooms? Trip out on the tundra? Some theories suggest that’s precisely what happened. If dinosaurs were the first creatures to consume psychedelics, where did they come from, and what would the experience have been like?
Were Dinosaurs the First to Eat Psychedelics?
In 2015, researchers from Oregon State University discovered an exciting chunk of amber during a dig in Myanmar. Amber is a fossilized tree resin and has proven to be an excellent recordkeeper throughout history. Skin, scales, bugs, feathers, and pieces of fur have all been found perfectly preserved in amber. Once dried and hardened, it lasts the test of time. This particular piece of amber that researchers found in Myanmar contained the oldest known specimen of grass — dating back to the Cretaceous period. Until this discovery, scientists had no reason to believe that dinosaurs feasted on grass but instead survived on a diet of leaves, twigs and seeds.
Now, this grass was especially fascinating because it had a fungus growing on it. The fungus found in the grass specimen was named Palaeoclaviceps parasiticus, and this exact fungus is now extinct. However, it is incredibly similar to Claviceps, also known as ergot — a grass parasite known to cause hallucinations and mind-altering effects. It is more commonly recognized as the precursor to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
Does the presence of this petrified grass indicate that it was indeed a staple in a dino’s diet? The study’s lead author has this to say:
“It indicates that psychedelic compounds were present back in the Cretaceous. What effect it had on animals is difficult to tell, but my feeling is dinosaurs definitely fed on this grass.”
George Poinar Jr.
Consuming ergot-contaminated grains can cause a multitude of physiological and psychological responses such as muscle spasms and burning convulsions, among psychedelic hallucinations. Ergot is a vasoconstrictor, and prolonged consumption can lead to what is referred to as St. Anthony’s Fire — a disease in which blood flow is restricted from limbs and may result in the limb burning until it dries up, turns black and falls off. Many historians believe that ergot played a major role in the Salem Witch Trials. The girls and women persecuted for practicing witchcraft may have been just tripping out on the hallucinatory power of ergot-contaminated rye.
The presence of this fungus and grass preserved in amber show that the two evolved together and were potentially a food source for herbivorous dinosaurs. While no one can know for sure, it is entirely possible that psychedelic dinosaurs were the first creatures to trip out. The image of a stoned stegosaurus or a triceratops in a trance certainly adds a new element to understanding the life of a dinosaur.
Psychedelic Dinosaurs Most Likely Munched on…
What exactly happened to a psychedelic dinosaur high on fungus? Throughout history, ergot has produced various effects from mild and wild hallucinations, delirium, convulsions, internal burning, gangrenous limbs, and in extreme cases — death. During the Middle Ages and even throughout modern times, artists such as Hieronymus Bosch and Mathias Grunewald painted images of ergot-afflicted patients.
Ergot ended up in a Swiss lab named Sandoz in 1917. Sandoz was originally a dye-manufacturing company, but was given an opportunity to redirect and become a pharmaceutical company. Here, ergot alkaloids were isolated into a pure crystalline form, and a couple of decades later, LSD was discovered by accident by Dr. Albert Hofmann.
There is no such tale or story to recount how much the dinosaurs ate, or needed to eat, to encounter a psychedelic trip. Or worse, how much of this ergot-covered grass it would take to kill a dino. Still, with some evidence, scientists have developed theories on this subject.
How Likely Is It That Dinosaurs Consumed Psychedelics?
The discovery of the ancestral grass confirms that grass itself existed over 100 million years ago, and for herbivores, grass is a tasty meal. Scientists have also found dino dung fossils containing grass, further proving that it was a suitable snack for a sauropod. But in addition to the fungal grass, there is another fungus that was likely present in some form during the age of dinosaurs….psilocybin mushrooms perhaps.
According to one study, mushrooms began their evolution on Earth somewhere between 700-800 million years ago. Fossilized mycelium was discovered in rocks from a time when Earth was in its infancy. Since it has proliferated and survived millions of years, it most likely evolved alongside dinosaurs. While there is no hard evidence suggesting that herbivores consumed mushrooms, or that psilocybin mushrooms were present during this time, it’s an interesting theory.
How Much Did They Consume?
Since dinosaurs were significantly large creatures, they would likely have to consume an absurdly large amount of contaminated grass to suffer violent consequences. It’s possible that they may have simply experienced mild euphoria, light visuals, and a real good time in small doses. That said, for dinos that were lower to the ground and unable to nibble the tops of taller branches, it’s likely that these ancestral grasses were a main course, in which case, it might not have been a fun trip at all. Scientists have not made any claims as to what effect this fungus may have had on these enormous lizards.
“We can look and see what ergot does to lizards and birds today — and it does have an effect on them…But whether this occurred in dinosaurs, we just don’t know. We don’t know how much they would have had to eat.”
George Poinar Jr.
If dinosaurs had access to psychedelic mushrooms, they likely would have experienced some of the classic symptoms that humans also experience. Euphoria, closed and open eye visual hallucinations, heightened response to stimuli, and potentially auditory hallucinations are common effects. It’s impossible to know if dinosaurs were evolved beings that could experience a spiritual awakening through a psychedelic experience or how much they’d need to eat to experience an enhanced ability for introspection!
Calling All Dino Lovers
For many of us, dinosaurs were a fascinating part of childhood that perhaps extended into our adult lives. Movies like Jurassic Park give a glimpse into what it could have been like to witness these extraordinary creatures in the wild. Well, without all the mayhem and animal theme parks and whatnot. That aside, dinosaurs are a thing of wonder. A unique and mystical beast that once ruled the world. Of course, the thought of psychedelic dinosaurs is quite interesting, but we’ll never really know the truth about a tripping tarbosaurus. We can only hope they enjoyed the ride. What is a fascinating theory you’ve ever heard about dinosaurs? Drop us a comment below!
RS Contributing Author: Holly Crawford
Holly is a lover of the written word. She enjoys telling stories about people, products, and ideas. With her roots deeply entrenched in the cannabis industry, she gravitates toward all things psychedelic with open-minded curiosity. If she isn’t musing in one of her journals, you can find her talking to her plants, studying business and spirituality, and performing all kinds of kitchen witchery. Holly lives in Seattle with her husband, stepdaughter, two cats, and a dog named Charlie. You can follow her on Instagram @m_sungreen.
