file under yay for drugs

Taken from Rob Brezsny..

Animal Ecstasy

In his book *Animals and Psychedelics: The Natural World and the Instinct to Alter Consciousness,* ethnobotanist Giorgio Samorini proves that many animals deliberately alter their consciousness. His evidence includes robins that get drunk on holly berries and act "like winged clowns," as well as goats hooked on caffeine and reindeer that seek out hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Samorini concludes that the desire to get high is a natural drive. Intoxication has served as an evolutionary force for some species, breaking down outworn habits in such a way as to improve long-term survival.