What you are describing here is what René Guénon named the “counter-initiation”.
Perhaps you have already read it, but if not see chapter 28 and onwards in “The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times” (although really the whole book is needed for the full context of course).
As you can infer from the name he chose, he describes this form of “esoterism” as being a corrupted, inverted, and diabolical mockery of the true form.
What you are describing here is what René Guénon named the “counter-initiation”.
Perhaps you have already read it, but if not see chapter 28 and onwards in “The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times” (although really the whole book is needed for the full context of course).
As you can infer from the name he chose, he describes this form of “esoterism” as being a corrupted, inverted, and diabolical mockery of the true form.
GunnerQ: Yes, there are/were old world hallucinogens. Interesting theory, but apparently not accurate.