Let’s dive into how Santa, a certain magical mushroom, and reindeer might all be connected.

Yep, it’s as wild as it sounds.

The Mushroom & The Tree

Picture Siberia’s snowy forests. Under pine trees grows the red-and-white Amanita muscaria mushroom, a key part of winter solstice rituals for indigenous tribes. It was central to their spiritual practices.

Watch Joe Rogan talk about it:

Reindeer Gone Wild

Reindeer love snacking on these mushrooms—and when they do, they get hyperactive. They start hopping, prancing, maybe even "flying."

Sound like Santa’s reindeer? 

The Shaman Santa

Siberian shamans dressed in red and white, drying these mushrooms by hanging them on trees (hello, ornaments) or over fires.

They delivered their “gifts” by entering homes through the chimney.

The parallels are just too on point.

Psychedelic Practices

These Santa looking shamans consumed reindeer-filtered mushroom brew (yes, urine) to safely experience its psychedelic effects.

They got visions that could explain flying reindeer and magical journeys.

From Folklore to Festivities

Santa’s red suit? A nod to the mushroom. Gifts under the tree? Straight out of ancient rituals. Flying sleigh? Blame those reindeer snacks. Coca-Cola helped modernize Santa, but these roots add some fascinating depth.

This Christmas, think of snowy pines, magic mushrooms, and shamans. There’s more magic in these traditions than meets the eye.

Merry Christmas from Plants Basically!