Mystical Angels

What is soma, as referred to in Hindu texts?

I've heard soma is a hallucinogenic fungus, or plant. Is it true the priests used soma? Is soma actually a symbol for something else more mystical? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Public Comments

1. I don't Know, but it is Interesting that in the Dark Ages, a mold on the Bread could cause Hallucinations, and if it was a Woman, they would claim she was a Witch.
2. It appears to be a sacred mushroom of the Amanita Muscaria or similar species (fly agarics). It is still used as an intoxicant in the mountains north of India and in the eastern Siberia north of China and Korea. Don't mess with it, it is a poison, and there are many much more deadly species in the same family
3. Archaeological evidence has revealed that Soma is derived from opium, ephedra, and marijuana. Thus it is an intoxicating stimulant. The notion that it is a psychedelic mushroom is pure speculation.
4. In the Vedic Scriptures, Soma, is described as an intoxicating drink, made primarily from sugar. (soma can be translated as necter). It was drunk by beings of a much higher dimension than humanity, and so it has no earthly origin.
5. from wikipedia and answers.com, a drink that gets you high,used in ritual sacrifice. http://www.answers.com http://www.wikipedia.org