Erik Davis - Mediating Drugs

Psychedelic substances possess physical forms and packaging that act as critical components of the entheogenic experience through the lens of media studies. Just as Marshall McLuhan observed that the medium is the message, the material delivery mechanisms of psychedelics exert influence that shapes the subjective encounter. Historical examples include the careful dosing and packaging of LSD blotter art and tabs, where graphics served as both cultural signaling and logistical markers. Modern forms such as chocolate bars and vape pens further illustrate how manufacturing, dosing systems, and imagery transform or package the substance for consumption. These artifacts bridge the gap between material matter and incorporeal consciousness, influencing user expectations and the resulting state of mind.