An entheogen ("creates god within," en- "in, within," theo- "god, divine," -gen "creates, generates"), in the strictest sense, is a psychoactive substance used in a religious or shamanic context. Historically, entheogens are derived primarily from plant sources and have been used in a variety of traditional religious contexts. With the advent of organic chemistry, there now exist many synthetic substances with similar properties.

More broadly, the term entheogen is used to refer to such substances when used for their religious or spiritual effects, whether or not in a formal religious or traditional structure. This terminology is often chosen to contrast with recreational use of the same substances. These spiritual effects have been demonstrated in peer-reviewed studies, though research remains difficult due to ongoing drug prohibition.

Examples of entheogens from ancient sources include: Greek: kykeon, ambrosia; African: Iboga; Vedic: Soma, Amrit; Native American: Peyote [North], Ayahuasca [South]. Entheogens have been used in a ritualized context for thousands of years; their religious significance is well established in anthropological and modern evidences. Molecules which appear to be progressions of the endogenous metabolic pathway of the human neurochemical composition are used today as entheogens, and may take the form of organic material containing neurologically active compounds including: cannabis, mescaline, psilocin/psilocybin, ibogaine and salvinorin; They may be compounded through the work of a shaman or apothecary in a tea, admixture or potion like Ayahuasca/Yage, Bhang or an anointing oil.

Modern entheogens such as Lysergic acid amide, 2C-T-7, and MiPT have been generated. Through the application of scientific methodology such as extraction and methylization of phytochemicals from plants (a major source of pharmaceuticals; conducted by the accomplished DOW chemist Sasha Shulgin, and the late Albert Hoffman) there are increasing number of available potential entheogens.

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