Religious leaders tripping balls... for science

Psychologists at Johns Hopkins University are currently giving two dozen religious leaders psilocybin, the psychedelic drug in magic mushrooms, to, y'know, see what happens. From The Guardian:

Despite most organised religions frowning on the use of illicit substances, Catholic, Orthodox and Presbyterian priests, a Zen Buddhist and several rabbis were recruited. The team has yet to persuade a Muslim imam or Hindu priest to take part, but "just about all the other bases are covered," according to (study co-leader Dr. William) Richards....

"It is too early to talk about results, but generally people seem to be getting a deeper appreciation of their own religious heritage," he said. "The dead dogma comes alive for them in a meaningful way. They discover they really believe this stuff they're talking about."

There is also a suggestion that after their psychedelic journey, the leaders' notions of religion shifted away from the sectarian towards something more universal. "They get a greater appreciation for other world religions. Other ways up the mountain, if you will," said Richards.

"In these transcendental states of consciousness, people seem to get to levels of consciousness that seem universal," he added. "So a good rabbi can encounter the Buddha within him."

"Religious leaders get high on magic mushrooms ingredient - for science" (The Guardian)