Ep#64 Using Drugs for Spiritual Experiences: What the Bible Says about Artificial Altered States

Are mystical experiences from drugs the same as Spirit-led visions? In this episode of the Seers See Podcast, Doug and Emily tackle the sensitive and timely topic of drugs, spiritual perception, and the Kingdom of God.

Together we explore:

- Personal stories of spiritual curiosity, sobriety and naïveté about drugs.

- The modern drug landscape: marijuana legalization, ayahuasca retreats, “toking the Holy Ghost,” neo-pagan revivals, and why today’s culture is drawn to altered states.

- Ancient Near Eastern practices

- Evidence of mind-altering drug use in The Hebrew Bible?

- New Testament clarity

- Theological Reflection:

--Substances = manipulation, counterfeit, deception.

-- Spirit = God’s initiative, trustworthy, transformative.

- Hope for today: If you’ve experimented with drugs for spiritual reasons, there’s freedom in Christ.

- Authentic intimacy with God replaces counterfeit highs.

0:10 Intro

03:00 Our Stories

12:50 Modern Context

25:00 Ancient Near East & the Old Testament

54:00 Dealing with the shortcut of using drugs for spiritual purposes.

58:00 Appropriate Use of Drugs, hallucination vs real spiritual visions

01:04:20 Pharmakeia and Witchcraft

01:07:00 How do you get off the drugs?

✅ Key takeaway: The Bible acknowledges that substances can alter perception — but warns against them as counterfeit pathways. True revelation and mystical vision come only from the Spirit of God.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on:

- Seeing into the spiritual realm

- Biblical prophecy and seer experiences

- Discerning truth from counterfeit spirituality

📖 Resources:

Seers See: Instruction on Seeing into the Spiritual Realm by Doug Overmyer

Articles and resources at SeersSee.com