Psychoactive Substances in Daoist Practice: A Cultural and Historical Perspective

This paper systematically investigates psychoactive substances and their ritual consumption practices within the Daoist cultivation tradition. As a category of Daoist ingestive (fushi 服食) culture, these substances, derived either from specific botanicals or through artificial synthesis, are ceremonially administered to induce mystical experiences in practitioners, ultimately facilitating their mystical union with Dao. Based on research into relevant Daoist scriptures, this article classifies Daoist psychoactive substances and analyzes how these substances are integrated into Daoist cultivation practices. Research indicates that Daoism’s utilization of psychoactive substances transcends mere physiological stimulation. Through a distinctive approach that integrates material practices with transcendental pursuits, it embodies the Daoist cultivation of achieving perfection in both body and spirit.