2025/029: The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge — Jeremy Narby

I was now of the opinion that DNA was at the origin of shamanic knowledge. By “shamanism,” I understood a series of defocalization techniques: controlled dreams, prolonged fasting, isolation in wilderness, ingestion of hallucinogenic plants, hypnosis based on a repetitive drumbeat, near-death experience, or a combination of the above. [loc. 1410]

Narby's hypothesis is that shamanic ritual, and in particular the use of botanical hallucinogens ('plant-teachers'), allows indigenous peoples to access botanical and medical knowledge imparted at the molecular level via DNA. He's a hands-on experimenter, and his own experiences of ayahuasca -- a complex preparation, which shamans claim was taught to them by the plants -- inspired his theory that hallucinations and visions of entwined snakes, vines etc actually represent DNA. He theorises that the rituals and preparations allow humans to perceive the weak, colourful photons emitted by DNA.

I am not at all sure what I think about Narby's theories, but I am willing to accept that there are ways of understanding the world that do not conform to the scientific method. Narby writes "The problem is not having presuppositions, but failing to make them explicit. If biology said about the intentionality that nature seems to manifest at all levels, 'we see it sometimes, but cannot discuss it without ceasing to do science according to our own criteria,' things would at least be clear. But biology tends to project its presuppositions onto the reality it observes, claiming that nature itself is devoid of intention." [loc. 1818] Some of the studies he cites, and some of the arguments he makes, seem credible: at other points, such as his discussion of the role of 'wise serpents' in mythology, I was less convinced.

The book itself could have done with better proofreading and better conversion to ebook format: I was especially vexed by the rendering of large numbers, which did not superscript the powers. 'there is 1 chance in 20 multiplied by itself 200 times for a single specific protein to emerge fortuitously. This figure, which can be written 20200, and which is roughly equivalent to 10260, is enormously greater than the number of atoms in the observable universe (estimated at 1080)' [loc. 1023] ... Or 20²⁰⁰, 10²⁶⁰, 10⁸⁰...

An interesting read and an intriguing theory, but perhaps not as engaging (or convincing) as the author intended -- and more about his personal experience and beliefs than about the science of hallucinogens and the visions they create. Kudos to Narby for openmindedness and rejection of colonial mindsets.

an interesting interview with Narby, including accounts of some researchers asking ayahuasca specific questions.