Name: A Very Trippy Theory on Santa Claus
Uploaded: 2026-01-22T17:23:10.000Z
Duration: 4 min 12 s
Description: Thousands of YouTube videos with English-Chinese subtitles! Now you can learn to understand native speakers, expand your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation...

Your support in 2023 has been incredible.

If you want even more Life Noggin videos, love science education.

Want to fund longevity research and help end age related diseases for good?

Consider making a charitable donation to Lifespan, the amazing nonprofit that powers Life Noggin.

We can make real change in the world with people like you helping.

Click the first link in the description and support Lifespan's push to save the humans.

So the answer to your question is no triangle.

I will say, the pointed man certainly knows how to decorate for the season.

I heard Santa comes to see the houses with the most decorations.

In fact, there's evidence that psychedelic mushrooms may have actually shaped Christmas as we know it.

Oh, this video's gonna be weird, isn't it?

The Amanita muscaria's red and white colors are thought by some anthropologists to have influenced the traditional colors of Santa Claus.

Does Santa know about this magic mushroom?

I don't know about that, but the reindeers love it.

This mushroom is known to cause sensations of flying.

And let's not overlook the connection to Rudolph's nose.

But it's important to remember that these mushrooms are highly toxic to humans.

They contain hallucinogens, mucimol and ibotenic acid, along with a potent toxin known as muscarine.

Yet reindeer can consume them without harm.

They seek them out, much like we might crave a favorite snack.

And after the reindeer eat these mushrooms, their urine remains psychoactive but loses the toxins.

In Siberia, people actually consumed reindeer urine for its effects.

This ties into the traditions of the Saami people in Lapland.

Their shamans, dressed in red and white, would perform rituals and visit homes, much like Santa Claus.

They used these mushrooms in their ceremonies and were said to enter homes through the chimney.

I mean, the idea of Santa leaving gifts and spreading joy has similarities with these ancient traditions.

It's a blend of folklore and history that makes for a fascinating Christmas story.

But remember, the modern Santa is more a creation of culture and media and the totally real magic of Christmas.

Maybe it's pure coincidence that Santa looks like a giant Amanita muscaria mushroom and has flying reindeer.

But it sure makes for a fascinating Christmas story, so we figured we'd share.

Would you like to hear more about the unlikely origins of some of our oldest holidays and traditions?

Let me know in the comment section below.

Or tell me what are you doing for the holidays?

I hope you get everything you asked for this year.

Click here to watch this video on how we can turn back our biological clocks.

Or Click here to watch this video do all the things that help this channel grow.

And a big shout out to the amazing people over at Lifespan IO, the team that powers Life Noggin.