Question

Was an element of vedic religion which supposedly helped to induce hallucinogenic capacities.

Answer 1

The element was a drink called soma.

Soma was a drink used in ancient India, in the vedic religion. It was a ritual drink but its origins are not clear. It was a juice probably made from a hallucinogenic mountain plant. Because the drink was causing hallucinations, it is believed that it came from plants such as cannabis, opium and hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Drinking soma produced immortality and it brought humans closer to gods. Soma is often compared to the Grek drink, ambrosia. Drinking soma gave mortals visions that were thought to be divine.