soma

Soma is a term with multiple meanings across cultures and contexts. It appears in religion, medicine, geography, and popular culture, where it is used as a name for a divine drink, a pharmaceutical product, a place designation, and a work of fiction.

In the Vedic tradition, Soma denotes both a celestial deity and the ritual drink that bears the deity’s name. The exact plant used to produce Soma’s juice is not known with certainty, and various botanical theories have been proposed. In ritual practice, the plant juice was pressed, filtered, and mixed with water or milk, then offered to deities and shared among the participating priests; drinking Soma was believed to confer vigor and, in some myths, immortality or divine inspiration.

In modern pharmacology, Soma is the brand name for carisoprodol, a centrally acting muscle relaxant prescribed for short-term relief of acute musculoskeletal pain and stiffness. It is typically used for a few days to weeks and can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and other side effects; there is potential for misuse and dependence, leading to cautious prescribing in many countries.

SOMA is also the title of a 2015 first-person survival horror video game by Frictional Games. Set in an underwater research facility, the game emphasizes atmosphere and philosophical questions about consciousness and the nature of humanity.

In the United States, Soma commonly refers to the South of Market district in San Francisco, a neighborhood known for its office space, dining, and cultural venues. Other uses include acronyms or names in various languages.