Seeking to identify the plant origins of the early sacramental beverages Soma and Haoma (Cannabis), this study draws a connection between the psychoactive properties of these drinks and the widespread use of cannabis among Indo-Europeans during this time. Exploring the role of these libations as inspiration for the Indian Rig Veda and the Persian Avestan texts, this examination discusses the spread of cannabis use across Europe and Asia, the origins of the Soma and Haoma cults, and the shamanic origins of modern religion.

Chris Bennett has been researching the historical role of cannabis in the spiritual life of humanity for more than a quarter century. He is the co-author of Green Gold the Tree of Life: Marijuana in Magic and Religion (1995); Sex, Drugs, Violence and the Bible (2001); and the author of Cannabis and the Soma Solution (2010). He has contributed chapters on this subject for a number of published anthologies as well as numerous articles for various magazines. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.