The idea that Soma, first mentioned in the Rig Veda, was a fungus,
specifically the red capped Amanita muscaria mushroom, was first
presented by the ethno-mycologists R. Gordon Wasson in his book Soma:
The Divine Mushroom of Immortality.

Nectar of the Gods?

The Amanita grows in a mycorrhizal relationship with a number of
different trees, specifically the pines, firs, and above all, the
birches, from which the mushroom must feed from. According to Wasson
"There is little doubt that the substance called Soma in the the Rig
Veda has been identified as the fungus Amanita Muscaria" (79).

Description:

An alkaloid, of the mushroom species. Its common name is "Fly Agaric"
and it has been described by mycalogists as: Pileus Size: (5) 7 - 25
(40) cm broad; Shape: convex , becoming plane to slightly wavy or
depressed in age; Color: blood-red, or various shades of bright,
scarlet, or orange-red; becoming lighter toward margin; Surface:
smooth, covered with white warts or small patches (remains of the
universal veil); sometimes washing off in age; tacky, sticky or viscid
when moist; Margin: striate; at first appendiculate; Flesh: firm when
young and becoming soft in age, white (yellowish beneath cuticle);
thick; Odor: faint; Taste: pleasant.

Soma, Divine Mushroom of Immortality?

In my opinion, most, if not all, of the Vedas were composed while under
the influence of this psychoactive substance, just like it says in the
Rig Veda. It seems obvious to me that the majority of the Upanishads
were composed while under the influence of Cannibis Indica, that is,
"hemp". No less an exalted hero than the Lord Shiva himself smoked the
the weed, just like millions of holy men, sadhus, and fakirs do today
throughout India and the Middle East. The entire Zend Avesta of the
Persian religion was composed while under the influence of 'Hoama' i.e.
the 'Soma' of the Rig Veda. There is no reason to assume that the use
of psychoactive substances is a recent trend in Asia!

Amrita Ambrosia of the Devas?

Ever since the first cultivation of rice in Sundaland over 10,000 years
ago, people have been enjoyers of the herbal medicinal plants that grow
in the forest and jungles of Southesat Asia. The inhabitants called
their religius totem the 'Tree of Plenty' and exported spices to the
Levant and hence to the Western World for thousands of years; they gave
us cinnamon and lemon for example. Not for nothing do we gather around
a fir or a pine tree on December 25 of each year and decorate our homes
with holly berries and gifts wrapped in red and white!

Confessions of a taco-eater:

However, that being said, nothing can compare with the psylocibin I
ingested down in Mexico with Don Juan back in '71! That's when I
realized the inter-dependnce of all things; I saw and talked to God and
His wife and His Son, and I realized that creation is a family affair;
I got enlightened on the spot, at the exact center of the universe!

Now, I don't need scriptures, gurus, drugs, meditation, sleep, or even
feedback anymore, because I'm solo auditing, constantly, and in
communication with the demi-urge on a daily basis. However, I still
meditate because that's just what intelligent people do!

Work cited:

Wasson, R. Gordon. "Soma: The Divine Mushroom of Immortality." Harcourt
Brace Jovanovick, Inc., 1968.
Rare, out-of-print. Illustrated. Index.

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