Taylor McMahon

Author: @tayjmcm

Documenting the Forgotten, Strange & Arcane Bonus episodes and interviews available on my website and YouTube. Videos on YouTube, Spotify & my website. Audio available wherever you listen to podcasts. https://www.tayjmcm.com/
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Language: en

Genres: Documentary, Society & Culture

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The Psychedelic Origins of Mormonism
Wednesday, 19 November, 2025

In this video, I investigate the early Mormon visionary events and the theory that psychedelics may have played a role in those experiences. The video covers the 1836 Kirtland Temple dedication, eyewitness accounts of fire, angels, and trances, the Smith family’s background in folk magic and herbal practices, and the controlled use of wine and oils in early rituals. Researcher Alex Criddle provides context on why some scholars think psychoactive plants may have played a role in early Latter-day Saint history.I highly encourage you to take a look at my sources below, along with my full interview of Alex (free on my website) and his Substack. I only had time to cover some of the evidence available but it is deeply interesting and grounded. You will enjoy it.Subscribe on YouTubeMy Social LinksNewsletter/WebsiteSourcesFollow Alex