Drugs are a fantastic way of escalating one's awareness. Its both sad and fortunate that it usually lasts momentarily. Using drugs really is more powerful and faster than meditation. Far away from any belief system, I feel there is a spirit world that coexists with ours. Sensations are very deep as well as shallow and meaningless.
I was intrigued by a bumber sticker that read "where there is no vision, the people perish" it pissed me off to know it was biblical. However there appears to be some truth in it. So then it would appear that communities that indulge my special blend of jackassery could benefit greatly. I used to be into shamanism and half my research seemed to revolve around drugs - the other half was taking them. DXM is fucking excellent for this as it is 'legal' as more accessible (easy to steal from stores). Ayuhasca, PCP, DMT, LSD, shrooms. All great.