To participate in the discussions for this module, students must initiate a thread and clearly indicate in the subject line what specific question they are addressing in their posts.

Question 1: Altered states of consciousness are actually common occurrences. What altered states have you experienced? Which are experienced as part of a normal day? What was the experience like? Did it have any meaning for you?

Question 2: Why do rites of passage commonly involve painful elements? How does this affect the experience of the individual undergoing the ritual?

Question 3: How do we define what is a drug and what is not? Why do we allow some drugs (e.g., alcohol, tobacco) but prohibit others (e.g., marijuana)?

Question 4: What are the adaptive and maladaptive uses of drugs? What are the differences between secular and religious drug use?