Intellectual Stewardship Note

I do not claim copyright or ownership over the Symbiotic Spark theory. While I am the originator of this particular framing, I consider it an open contribution to the greater human inquiry into consciousness and evolution. I believe ideas like this should be shared, challenged, evolved, and improved—not hoarded or monetized.

I view myself not as the owner of this idea, but as its steward—a participant in a larger, ancient conversation that predates me and will continue long after.

If this idea resonates with you, take it, critique it, remix it, and build upon it. I feel a deep intuition that sharing this is part of my purpose—and that we, as a species, are meant to rediscover the intelligence we came from, together.

— SymbioticSpark (Bradley D.N.)

Introduction: A Convergence Model for Cognitive Evolution

This post proposes a speculative biological model—the Symbiotic Spark Theory—as an evolutionary expansion of Terence McKenna’s Stoned Ape Hypothesis. The core claim is that early hominid consciousness was not simply catalyzed by ingesting psilocybin mushrooms, but rather that the mushroom acted as a reconnection point to a much older symbiotic framework involving fungi, algae, and bacteria. These organisms, through ancient biological convergence, may have laid the groundwork for what we now experience as self-aware intelligence.

The strongest argument for this claim is the already-accepted scientific understanding of symbiotic origins in evolutionary biology (e.g., mitochondria as ancient bacteria, endosymbiotic theory, and the microbiome-gut-brain axis). I aim to extend this framework to suggest that consciousness itself may have emerged from the convergence of multiple ancient networks—not as an inevitable byproduct of complexity alone, but as a patterned expression of earlier cooperative intelligence systems.

This model is speculative and intentionally broad, but aims to generate fruitful discussion in domains relevant to LessWrong: cognitive science, evolution, complexity theory, and the nature of consciousness.

The Stoned Ape Hypothesis (Context & Summary)

McKenna’s original hypothesis suggests that early humans evolved advanced cognitive functions partially due to the regular ingestion of psilocybin mushrooms. He proposed that:

Low doses enhanced vision and foraging/hunting ability
Moderate doses increased sexual bonding and

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