Society is built of a number of different beliefs and artifices that allow us as humans to live together and not kill one another. It doesn't get much simpler than that. Entheogens certainly posses the power to modify our perceptions of the world, and it would be a mistake if we chose to believe that they have no effect on our perception of society, of our perception of government, and our perception of interpersonal relationships.

Some of the most easily used and abused, as well as some of the most powerful entheogens are closely regulated by most nations. A few are physically addictive or physically dangerous. Other of these regulated plants and chemicals are not physically dangerous, but rather their potential to modify the human perception of social constructs is viewed as socially, politically, or mentally hazardous. There are those who will make the claim that some of these are regulated for the simple purpose of political expediency as well, but I will not address that here.

So what is the potential for social breakdown by means of social construct degradation by entheogenic substance use and/or abuse? The extent of that will very depending upon which substances are declared to be entheogenic, but even if there were a clear cut decision as to what fit in that category, there still would be a wide range of opinions. One reason for this is that human (illicit) drug experiments tend to be carried out primarily by means of case studies. This in itself skews the possible results of a good clinical study because by definition if a person's case history ends up in such a study, then that person has already been judged to have run afoul of a social construct of some sort. I will then approach by the highly informal route of personal experience, anecdote, personal logic, personal opinion, hyperbole, and hearsay. In no way should this discourse be mistaken for a peer reviewed study of the human psyche.

One aspect of entheogen use today, nearly everywhere, is the fact that it is in many places against the local laws to use. This in itself brings one into direct conflict with several social constructs even before any mind altering material is used. The individual does not usually perceive any excessive dangers, as they usually already know someone who has followed this course of action multiple times without harmful consequence. Yet the law of the land regards it as dangerous. When the experience goes well, without problems, and is regarded as positive, this further reinforces the concept that the social construct of “obedience to authority figures” is a useless one. This could be replaced with the concept that authority figures should be deified. This of course can lead to other problems if the individual makes the assumption that s/he is now exempt from the law.

A very disturbing social construct can be changed if an individual begins to believe that the euphoric states induced by some entheogens are the only state of existence that should be properly experienced. Such and individual quickly becomes obsessive about maintaining a steady drug supply, and often falters in work, school, and social activities. This is the example that most of the more rigidly anti-entheogenic regimes like to portray as being typical of all users.

The question is though, is this typical? Again, there are no clear cut answers. Any number persons may step forward and say no, I'm a perfectly functional entheogen user, AND a productive member of society. The problem is that this may be true, but ONLY for the instant in which it is declared. There is no guarantee that such a person will not experience their carefully constructed lives crumbling about them like a house of cards at any moment. The same, however is true for a non-entheogen user. The proof, at this point in time, for this author, is in those folks who have successfully lived a normal life while enjoying entheogenic experiences, and then this stage of their life come to a successful conclusion by means of a self motivated choice to give up their past times for some higher cause, or a non-drug related deaths.

It is this author's findings that the vast majority of individuals using common, readily available entheogens choose to set aside these habits or hobbies sometime in their late to mid twenties for the express purpose of having more time to pursue other hobbies of interest. These people often go on to lead very successful and productive lives, occasionally commenting on the lasting impression their experiences have made upon them, and citing them as one of many sources fueling their drive to succeed. This then indicates that not only do these experiences in at least some cases prove to be positive, but that in a majority of instances the experience was not harmful at all.

However this does NOT mean that entheogen use is without its dangers. If an individual should pursue a course of action in this direction, it would behoove this individual to constantly re-evaluate their position in life, the people they call friends, what they consider to constitute a friendship, and whether they are achieving their goals. A lack of goals, or a continual lowering of goals, is a sure sign that social constructs that would otherwise assist a person in leading a useful, productive and happy life are deteriorating. Further more if an individual constantly finds themselves in a situation that appears hostile, it may be time to sit back and evaluate their situation. Are things headed in the appropriate direction? What is the source of this hostility? Is there perhaps a better direction to travel in? If one can achieve this introspection, and act upon it accordingly, then the ultimate goal of the entheogenic/spiritual experience can doubtlessly be achieved. If not, then perhaps there is a good reason for banning such substances.