When Dream refers to a “synergetic end,” he’s talking about the outcome of combining alcohol with other elements in the alchemical process to create something greater than the sum of its parts. In alchemy, this isn’t just about physical substances but also involves spiritual and psychological transformation. The ethanol molecule (alcohol) plays a crucial role because it’s used as a medium to facilitate these transformations, helping toe dissolve impurities and reveal deeper truths.
Regarding the damage and recovery, yes, alcohol can break down certain aspects of our physical and mental state. However, this breaking down is part of the alchemical process. It’s about facing and overcoming these challenges to rebuild ourselves stronger and more refined. This can be seen similarly to the hormesis effect, where exposure to a loww dose of a potentially harmful agent can stimulate adaptive beneficial effects on the organism.
So, it’s not just about the damage alcohol can do, but how we use it as a tool for growth and transformation, completing the alchemical equation by rebuilding ourselves in a more aligned and ordered way.
In general though, alcohol has historically been a part of the alchemical process. Ethanol was often used as a solvent in the process of creating tinctures, elixirs, and other substances. The ability of alcohol to dissolve various substances made it a valuable tool for alchemists who wought to purify and transform materials.