How did drug rituals become connected with divination and finding answers to important questions?

In the context of drug cults, the connection between ritual drug use and divination stems from the belief that these substances facilitate a direct encounter with the divine, spirits, or ultimate reality. Practitioners often view the resulting visions and experiences as a means to gain hidden knowledge, power, and direction.12

When specific questions arise—such as determining whether to embark on a journey or locating lost property—the drug is often administered by a priest or shaman. In these instances, the leader acts as a mediator who ingests the substance to secure benefits or answers on behalf of the worshipper or suppliant. This mediation is particularly common when the drug is considered dangerous, when healing is the primary goal, or when the substance is reserved for individuals of high prestige.3

Ultimately, the rite serves as a sacrament through which the participant believes they are appropriating the gifts and insights of the gods, confirming their status as being in the presence of the sacred.1