Magic mushroom study reveals long term positive effects on the brain

[TruthSeekah]

I have had some positive encounters with this. Has anyone else? Seems like more and more research is coming out supporting this. They are doing really good work with the clinical studies.

http://mythicist.me/groundbreaking-magic-mushroom-study-reveals-long-term-positive-effects-brain

[uzn]

Jup. There is a reason that medicine men use them to heal psychic disorders in their fellow men. By the way Albert Hoffman tried to synthecise the psychoactive part of the mushrooms and succeeded, that was the birth of LSD. One more Thing, in our Society most People misuse psychoactive substances, nobody ever told them how to use them. Going out there without a Guide can be quite dangerous if one is not experienced.

One more thing that ties in to this toppic and that has been left out of the historybooks:
The Conquistadores and Cristian Conquerers when they wanted to take over some other Tribe / Culture did not attack the Leader nor the Armed Forces first. Their first Target was always the Healers and Medicine Men, that way they could not heal themselfs anymore and were forced to search for help/redemption elsewhere. Preferibly the newly instated Christian Priest.

[Ultima Thule]

I wonder at what ratio the Beneficial effects compare to adverse ones? I would venture out to say, that the negative effects outweight the positive ones. If one pries open doors that one is not equipped to handle, is it recommendable? How about living life and growing gradually into a place where the door opens with no substances? I would even think that the very fact that one needs a foreign (nevermind derived from nature) substance to go places is a hint towards that not being a good idea.

I am being provocative here, I do realize that. My point in this provocation really is: show me a drug that consistently delivers more positive results than negative among the people who ingest it and I'll show you a Trekkie who doesn't know who Spock is.

UT

[Jantje]

I have certainly had postive experience with magic mushrooms. It opens the doors of perception. It made me realise there is a whole world out there, we usually don't perceive. First time they did their work was certainly a life changing event for me.

Today you can't legally buy magic mushrooms anymore in the Netherlands but you can stil buy magic truffles, wich basically works the same.

From what I've heard it can also help people who suffer from different forms of phobia and anxiety.
It's not the same for everybody though.
Don't try this alone without somebody in the vicinity who can keep an eye on you, if you are not experienced !

[Ultima Thule]

I have certainly had postive experience with magic mushrooms. It opens the doors of perception. It made me realise there is a whole world out there, we usually don't perceive. First time they did their work was certainly a life changing event for me.

Today you can't legally buy magic mushrooms anymore in the Netherlands but you can stil buy magic truffles, wich basically works the same.

From what I've heard it can also help people who suffer from different forms of phobia and anxiety.
It's not the same for everybody though.
Don't try this alone without somebody in the vicinity who can keep an eye on you, if you are not experienced !

I've encountered people who have triggered huge phobias and anxiety by use of magic mushrooms - like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get?

UT

[Jantje]

I have certainly had postive experience with magic mushrooms. It opens the doors of perception. It made me realise there is a whole world out there, we usually don't perceive. First time they did their work was certainly a life changing event for me.

Today you can't legally buy magic mushrooms anymore in the Netherlands but you can stil buy magic truffles, wich basically works the same.

From what I've heard it can also help people who suffer from different forms of phobia and anxiety.
It's not the same for everybody though.
Don't try this alone without somebody in the vicinity who can keep an eye on you, if you are not experienced !

I've encountered people who have triggered huge phobias and anxiety by use of magic mushrooms - like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get?

UT

Hi UT
Like I said it's not the same for everybody. I can only talk about my own experiences and the people I know that have experienced the effects of psilosybine.
When you ingest something that has an effect on your psyche you never know what you are going to get no.
That's true. That's exactly what people find so scary about it.

I think it's often the case that any substance that opens your mind will be demonised by the government.
And by people who have no experience with said substance, who still have an opnion on the subject based on second hand smoke.

Life is like a box of chocolates anyway...

[uzn]

Psychoactive Drugs are Catalysts and Amplifiers. If you dont know what is locked away in your Head you are in for a Revelation. Everything can surface and if you are not ready to face your fears and imperfections it is likely to be a tough ride.
If somebody is having a bad trip give him something with lots of Vitamin C in it, it brings them down again.

Just to clarify: Psychoactive Drugs are a shortcut and a very risky one if one is not careful. And remember all native cultures have been using psychoactive substances, and in their societies there is not a single report of abusing them. They use them to heal mental illnesses and to get visions.

[TargeT]

I've encountered people who have triggered huge phobias and anxiety by use of magic mushrooms - like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get?

UT

You almost always get healing, it just depends on how much you need. :D

Huge phobias and anxieties have root causes and need to be faced and conquered for healthy living.

The plant guides can be a bit abrupt and if you "fight" this you will have a hard time... but it's all up to you, don't fight it and accept that you need to work on what ever is being shown to you.


other than anecdotal reports, are there negative effects of psychedelics? I haven't had a session in years, and don't even desire to do so anymore really.. but I would not be who I am today with out my experiences.

I'm very grateful for them and the perspectives they gave me.

[conk]

....

I am being provocative here, I do realize that. My point in this provocation really is: show me a drug that consistently delivers more positive results than negative among the people who ingest it and I'll show you a Trekkie who doesn't know who Spock is.
UTCannabis, THC?

[AutumnW]

I wonder at what ratio the Beneficial effects compare to adverse ones? I would venture out to say, that the negative effects outweight the positive ones. If one pries open doors that one is not equipped to handle, is it recommendable? How about living life and growing gradually into a place where the door opens with no substances? I would even think that the very fact that one needs a foreign (nevermind derived from nature) substance to go places is a hint towards that not being a good idea.

I am being provocative here, I do realize that. My point in this provocation really is: show me a drug that consistently delivers more positive results than negative among the people who ingest it and I'll show you a Trekkie who doesn't know who Spock is.

UT

This is a common perception, particularly among people who meditate and are able to go into very deep states. A person in such a trance is still limited by human perception and correspondence. When people take mushrooms they seem to be in actual communication with a great other, outside of the human collective unconscious. They may be in direct communication with the mind of the mushroom, or the mind of the planet, expressed through the mushroom.

It is crucial to the evolution of the planet that we reconnect with nature in the deepest way possible. Meditating just won't do the trick. The feeling of 'being one with nature,' is so fraught with our own dominant perceptions. It isn't dialoguing with Nature, the great mother. I can feel 'at one' with my own mother, when I should be listening to what she has to say.

[TargeT]

....

I am being provocative here, I do realize that. My point in this provocation really is: show me a drug that consistently delivers more positive results than negative among the people who ingest it and I'll show you a Trekkie who doesn't know who Spock is.
UTCannabis, THC?

add to that:

MDMA

LSD

DMT


I don't understand where this "negative results" idea is even coming from, you mentioned a bit of mental discomfort when someone began the work on phobias, but that is kind of expected when you take a crash course in mental health (aka psychedelics) isnt it?

this is the very reason that experienced people say that psychedelics are not only recreational drugs. I feel that way about them, very therapeutic.

[Bubu]

I think it's often the case that any substance that opens your mind will be demonised by the government.
And by people who have no experience with said substance, who still have an opnion on the subject based on second hand smoke.

I have always been amaze by people who talk like experts minus firsthand experience. another positive experience here. Can we here some negatives? I mean firsthand experience.

[Ultima Thule]

....

I am being provocative here, I do realize that. My point in this provocation really is: show me a drug that consistently delivers more positive results than negative among the people who ingest it and I'll show you a Trekkie who doesn't know who Spock is.
UTCannabis, THC?

add to that:

MDMA

LSD

DMT


I don't understand where this "negative results" idea is even coming from, you mentioned a bit of mental discomfort when someone began the work on phobias, but that is kind of expected when you take a crash course in mental health (aka psychedelics) isnt it?

this is the very reason that experienced people say that psychedelics are not only recreational drugs. I feel that way about them, very therapeutic.

I didn't mention a bit of mental discomfort, what I have seen from use of magic mushrooms is life consuming anxiety and dissociation. Not a bit but quite a lot. From a prolonged use of cannabis by a close friend, I've seen the great big bits that have gone on a trip, but never made it back.

I am open to the idea of psychedelics in some cases being of proper use - I have myself experienced what I believe to have been endogenous DMT synthesis in deep meditation (having never ingested any drug, apart from alcohol in my youth and my morning coffee(and the bloody electronic device in my hands at the moment kind of qualifies as one)). I stress that - endogenous, very proper experience.

Now, what I am against is categorical approval and promoting of psychedelics - the caveat of a notion of someone experienced being there to guide the use, is not in my opinion a credible one. What percentage of first time users get that? Where is the responsibility then?

Are you sure that the opinion of categorical safety and positive results isn't confirmation bias?
I am quite sure that partially my opinion does araise from seeing negative results and being biased to finding confirmation for that. I would argue that my point of view - psychedelics should be 90% banned, bordering on categorical ban, is not a balanced one and at the same time a point of view of them being categorically positive is not a balanced one either.

I come back to Graham Hancock and his notion of ayahuasca and how in many cases of ayahuasca-seremonies, entities await for westerners to open up their defenses via ingestion and then taking residence in them. I think he mentions this relating to south-Americans having a history and a deal/pact with these said entities and thus being ol the safe side. What that leads me to is: a person ingests something that is capable of opening some doors to peak out through, but not having the skillset to deny entry for negative influences that enter at the same time.

UT
Not ready to go on a Trekkie-pilgrimage just yet ;)

[Ewan]

Sometimes past I have mused on why such plants exist, my favourite theory is a rebelious programmer managed to slip in a few 'easter eggs' for the prison population to discover.

[Octavusprime]

I've had over 20+ trips on LSD/Mushrooms/Mescalin. Most were amazing experiences but I had a few bad trips. For me I think it was for two reasons. I was using it too much. (Back to back weekends). I was using it in the wrong environment.

The environment and intent is key. For me, I want to be in a safe place with people that I know that are also tripping. Any anxiety or fear can really take you down the wrong rabbit hole. I've also heard that any underlying psychological disorders can be amplified by hallucinogens. My uncle was bi-polar and after getting into LSD/mushrooms he went off the deep end. It didn't help that he stopped taking his meds so not sure if the LSD/shrooms can be purely to blame. If done right and in moderation psychedelics can really expand your mind and change your perception of the world.

I've yet to experience ayahuasca but I've tried smoking DMT. Similar trip but more intense. One of these days I'll make it out to an Ayahuasca retreat. They say having a shaman or spirit guide is highly recommended especially if it is your first time.

[AutumnW]

There is an online site called, 'Men's Journal,' with an article called, 'The dark side of Ayahuasca,' It's very interesting. Anybody interested in taking a trip to South America to have shamanic journey should read this first.

Of course there are serious risks involved with taking hallucinogens. It's a calculated risk. If people approach it humbly, with great caution and reverence, they should be okay. But those who are wired to be highly anxious, or are predisposed to psychoses should stay away from it.

[TruthSeekah]

There is an online site called, 'Men's Journal,' with an article called, 'The dark side of Ayahuasca,' It's very interesting. Anybody interested in taking a trip to South America to have shamanic journey should read this first.

Of course there are serious risks involved with taking hallucinogens. It's a calculated risk. If people approach it humbly, with great caution and reverence, they should be okay. But those who are wired to be highly anxious, or are predisposed to psychoses should stay away from it.

Yeah, theres also sexual predators out there. just listen to Amber Lyons story.

[boutreality]

If used for psychiatric/neurological issues, the clinical supervised pretense is important.
This substance can and does "rearrange" the psyche; reorient one to a "different comprehension" of life and its worthwhile values.
For patients needing treatment the right environment and conditions of use is everything.

For literally decades studies in this direction with this substance were repeatedly shut down by the feds, continual petitions and perpetually restarted studies (I know of a few cases like this in CA) are finally receiving a degree of credence and some of the attention they deserve.

[amor]

My perception of life is strange enough and got there all on its own without brain damage. Alien entities and takeover is a no no. I think drugs were just an extension of NWO plot to eliminate the young and foolish who then became the old and foolish and unhealthy.

[transiten]

I have a friend who took ayahuasca under the supervision of a shaman in Peru. She had some horrible and healing experiences also but doesn't seem to have had a lasting spiritual change other than now she believes in astrology and goes to lectures by a vedic astrologer who is also a herebal healer.

I also had a horrible bad trip from eating hash, just as bad as a LSD trip it seems. I was given a too big piece from some friends - I don't smoke - and have no desire what so ever to try it again.

[norman]

This is not quite on topic but interesting none the less, especially if you are interested in varieties of 'weed' and how they differ.


The Urban Monk – Brave New Weed with Guest Joe Dolce


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Streamed live on Sep 9, 2016
There are 25 states along with the District of Columbia that have laws legalizing marijuana in some form. Four states have legalized it outright for recreational use. This upcoming November, California has a ballot that will legalize it for "adult" use. What is leading this shift? We already know the detrimental effects of using cannabis. Or do we? Because of its classification as a Schedule 1 drug by the DEA, studies using it are fairly difficult to conduct. To explain basically everything there is to know about cannabis and how it came to be a Schedule 1 drug, Joe Dolce joins the program and gives Pedram the run down. What is the history behind the usage of cannabis? How did the government get so involved in prohibiting its use? And what does it mean to legalize it on a state-by-state basis?


oH! he's even had a chat with a Fungi expert........

The Urban Monk – Let's Get Fungi-ed Up with Guest Tero Isokauppila


WKolZ0iA-rw

Published on Apr 22, 2016
Earth Day is tomorrow and to help celebrate, Pedram Shojai has welcomed Tero Isokauppila, co-founder of Four Sigma Foods, to come talk about mushrooms! What could be more earthy than mushrooms? They're a super food that was used by many ancient cultures and are in fact used in about 40% of the medicines we use today! Unfortunately when people think of mushrooms nowadays many think about psychedelic "magic mushrooms" but there is so much more to them than that! What are the myths and misconceptions surrounding mushrooms? Did you know they mushrooms exist in their own kingdom classification? They don't belong to any other plant kingdom and there are literally millions of mushrooms on earth! When using mushrooms medicinally, what can it help? How can mushrooms help adrenal fatigue? What about as a stress reducer or a sleep aid? How can we all introduce mushrooms into our daily lives?

[Octavusprime]

This is an oldie but goodie. If you haven't watched this video, I'd highly suggest it.

DMT: The Spirit Molecule

LtT6Xkk-kzk

My Overview: DMT is found in plants and animals and was originally thought to be background noise in the body. In plants this molecule is thought to act like a neural pathway and used in plants to interact with it's environment. It is made in the pineal gland (third eye). Is fluoride used to suppress the production of DMT in the masses? If so why? DMT is the most powerful hallucinogen. Many who take it in the ayahuasca form say they encounter inter-dimensional beings. Is this a way of communicating with other worldly beings? Is this tapping into the universal knowledge?

[Octavusprime]

My perception of life is strange enough and got there all on its own without brain damage. Alien entities and takeover is a no no. I think drugs were just an extension of NWO plot to eliminate the young and foolish who then became the old and foolish and unhealthy.

How does that explain that most of these drugs have natural roots. Marijuana, mushrooms, DMT, Opium all come from plants/fungi. I would disagree and state the exact opposite, these drugs have been demonized (NWO/Governments/Elite) so that our minds and body are not allowed to explore it's true power. Control and suppression of the human mind is what has occurred, not intentional poisoning of the youth.

While abuse of anything can cause harm. For most the use of mind and body altering substances will not do any serious or permanent damage.

[AutumnW]

....

I am being provocative here, I do realize that. My point in this provocation really is: show me a drug that consistently delivers more positive results than negative among the people who ingest it and I'll show you a Trekkie who doesn't know who Spock is.
UTCannabis, THC?

add to that:

MDMA

LSD

DMT


I don't understand where this "negative results" idea is even coming from, you mentioned a bit of mental discomfort when someone began the work on phobias, but that is kind of expected when you take a crash course in mental health (aka psychedelics) isnt it?

this is the very reason that experienced people say that psychedelics are not only recreational drugs. I feel that way about them, very therapeutic.

I didn't mention a bit of mental discomfort, what I have seen from use of magic mushrooms is life consuming anxiety and dissociation. Not a bit but quite a lot. From a prolonged use of cannabis by a close friend, I've seen the great big bits that have gone on a trip, but never made it back.

I am open to the idea of psychedelics in some cases being of proper use - I have myself experienced what I believe to have been endogenous DMT synthesis in deep meditation (having never ingested any drug, apart from alcohol in my youth and my morning coffee(and the bloody electronic device in my hands at the moment kind of qualifies as one)). I stress that - endogenous, very proper experience.

Now, what I am against is categorical approval and promoting of psychedelics - the caveat of a notion of someone experienced being there to guide the use, is not in my opinion a credible one. What percentage of first time users get that? Where is the responsibility then?

Are you sure that the opinion of categorical safety and positive results isn't confirmation bias?
I am quite sure that partially my opinion does araise from seeing negative results and being biased to finding confirmation for that. I would argue that my point of view - psychedelics should be 90% banned, bordering on categorical ban, is not a balanced one and at the same time a point of view of them being categorically positive is not a balanced one either.

I come back to Graham Hancock and his notion of ayahuasca and how in many cases of ayahuasca-seremonies, entities await for westerners to open up their defenses via ingestion and then taking residence in them. I think he mentions this relating to south-Americans having a history and a deal/pact with these said entities and thus being ol the safe side. What that leads me to is: a person ingests something that is capable of opening some doors to peak out through, but not having the skillset to deny entry for negative influences that enter at the same time.

UT
Not ready to go on a Trekkie-pilgrimage just yet ;)

You mention you have had "endogenous, very proper experience" while meditating that, you feel, was like a dmt trip. Sounds like you took a dip in the collective unconscious. Tripping on Dmt is like being blown off of your feet by a firehose wielded by aliens.

What constitutes 'improper' experience? What's proper about the inner or endogenous, as opposed to the outer? Inner states of man, when externalized produce a whole lot lovely and a whole lot of ugly...like the state of the world. It is time to turn that around and let the 'outer' work its own magic on us, through ingestion of hallucinogens.

I don't know of anybody who has tripped out on cannabis and never come back. There are people who get into a stoner life style because that is what they want to do. They're not nodding off in psyche wards, drooling into their shoes. Best of all, they don't get up every morning, put on a shirt and tie and vanish into the greater externalized dream of missile making, bomb manufacturing, and meaningless paper shuffling.

[Ultima Thule]

I suppose Autumn, that I chose my wording poorly. What I do mean is a few things (or questions really):
- let's say you would not take psychedelics in a wrong way for the wrong reasons - how about the people that are young and unexperienced?
- why does one have a need to use psychedelics - to reach out to a otherworldly plane? If so, why? From having a NDE, I feel that after having "popped" out there, that isn't it paradoxical - one lives in corporeal body and want's to go to "Heaven" and when in there, one wishes to have an earthly experience? I am wondering, whether the point of it all might be to work with what you have (earthly existentence) and not wish for something else (divine)? What I am trying (clumsily) to say, might be related with a ratio: I get a sense that a categorical promoting of psychedelics may lure people into a bad "earth-Heaven" -ratio ie. Not living daily lives and for the majority of time wanting to be somewhere else(which I understand you are describing by telling about people who "sleep late"). I find the notion of waking up early and putting on shirt and tie as being about missile making, well, a bit lacking. What you wear or what your daily rhytm is, doesn't really tell anything about you, me thinks?
- what would qualify a person to being a candidate for psychedelics -use in a safe way? Perhaps them not wanting nor needing of them? A person needing it, would perhaps not be wise to ingest them?
- yes, the substances are derived from nature. A good point - however, thinking logically - they are rare and used to be known only for a very few people. In times of internet and mushrooms-on-demand, anybody - I argue too many people that don't have the mindset or the skillset to handle them - can get them.
- this leads to: perhaps they are demonized by TPTB, perhaps they are denied to make people interested in them and thus be gateways for "Evil" influences to enter this world.
- why are psychedelics usually referred to being healing, extraordinary etc., but a bad experience is handled by a shrug - just a bad trip? The bad trips should be imo much more interesting and emphasized and not dismissed. Perhaps people who have bad experiences that even make their lives worse for good, are embarrassed to tell about it?

I find that this seems to be a delicate subject and apologize for being too provocative.

UT

[TargeT]

I suppose Autumn, that I chose my wording poorly. What I do mean is a few things (or questions really):
- let's say you would not take psychedelics in a wrong way for the wrong reasons - how about the people that are young and unexperienced?

None of my experiences were in a prepared in advance, most were spontaneous... I never had a trip-sitter either, something I totally recommend now.

I think we need to narrow in on your concerns about the possible dangers, even when a "bad trip" happens it's not the end of the world, just a disturbing experience for most people.


- why does one have a need to use psychedelics - to reach out to a otherworldly plane? If so, why?

I would highly suggest it, but I do not think it's needed by any means. I'm not even sure where it takes you, but there is an overwhelming amount of profoundly positive experiences from it & that's what I'm going with.


From having a NDE, I feel that after having "popped" out there, that isn't it paradoxical - one lives in corporeal body and want's to go to "Heaven" and when in there, one wishes to have an earthly experience? I am wondering, whether the point of it all might be to work with what you have (earthly existentence) and not wish for something else (divine)? What I am trying (clumsily) to say, might be related with a ratio: I get a sense that a categorical promoting of psychedelics may lure people into a bad "earth-Heaven" -ratio ie. Not living daily lives and for the majority of time wanting to be somewhere else(which I understand you are describing by telling about people who "sleep late"). I find the notion of waking up early and putting on shirt and tie as being about missile making, well, a bit lacking. What you wear or what your daily rhytm is, doesn't really tell anything about you, me thinks?

If someone does psychedelics to escape, they have an issues, absolutely (addiction is never about the substance or activity however, it's the individual & it's a psychological issue). From my experience I would not call them recreational, mushrooms for example: your committing to roughly a 4-6 hour ordeal, I couldn't do it more than once in a month, I haven't done anything like that in over a decade, but I may pursue it again at some point.


- what would qualify a person to being a candidate for psychedelics -use in a safe way? Perhaps them not wanting nor needing of them? A person needing it, would perhaps not be wise to ingest them?

I personally think everyone should "break through" at least once in their life... Losing ego's influence, even when the process isn't fully understood (my first time wasn't); is a very powerful and grounding experience.. its really helpful.

There's a ton of "harm reduction" videos out there on this topic if you want more specific info:
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- yes, the substances are derived from nature. A good point - however, thinking logically - they are rare and used to be known only for a very few people. In times of internet and mushrooms-on-demand, anybody - I argue too many people that don't have the mindset or the skillset to handle them - can get them.

Oh, they are actually super common and used to be used widely and commonly by people. everywhere.. in fact some of our major holidays are very likely patterned after psychedelic use. (most Christmas rituals, for example)

Here's a VERY interesting documentary on that topic:
suBqqpez_-I



- this leads to: perhaps they are demonized by TPTB, perhaps they are denied to make people interested in them and thus be gateways for "Evil" influences to enter this world.
- why are psychedelics usually referred to being healing, extraordinary etc., but a bad experience is handled by a shrug - just a bad trip? The bad trips should be imo much more interesting and emphasized and not dismissed. Perhaps people who have bad experiences that even make their lives worse for good, are embarrassed to tell about it?

Oh I highly doubt they are restricted to cause more interest in them, they are restricted to keep us from them. The kind of thought patterns after experiencing a psychedelic are not ideal for any control structure. It allows your perspective to shift so dramatically that you are now ABLE to question things you never would have thought to question before.

"bad trips" are actually very uncommon, and usually just "not enjoyable".. I've never had a "bad trip", I've had some difficult ones where I was shown things I'd rather have avoided.. but that's a good thing imo.



I find that this seems to be a delicate subject and apologize for being too provocative.

UT

if this is you being provocative then you need to let loose more! ;)

Nothing is above question, keep asking until your satisfied (but be willing to question even then).

[Mike]

Maybe 15 yrs ago i took several hits of lsd during an emotionally rocky period (generally I wouldnt suggest this) and within an hour I was sobbing like a little child. I couldnt stop. I went on like that for a while.

Know something? I felt great afterwards. I was able to reach and release those deeply sad feelings I was too macho or whatever to express in my everyday life. It was a massive weight off my shoulders.

so i wasnt too surprised to read years later that lsd was used therapeutically back in the 60's (I think the 60's)

[TargeT]

80% of cancer patients reported significant decreases in anxiety & depression 6 months after a single session with the hallucinogen psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms (http://www.newsweek.com/psilocybin-hallucinogenic-mushrooms-eases-anxiety-cancer-patients-526952)


That's a pretty damn powerful therapeutic number right there ;) 1 session with a 80% improvement rate? impressive by any "drug" standard.

[halcyon026]

80% of cancer patients reported significant decreases in anxiety & depression 6 months after a single session with the hallucinogen psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms (http://www.newsweek.com/psilocybin-hallucinogenic-mushrooms-eases-anxiety-cancer-patients-526952)


That's a pretty damn powerful therapeutic number right there ;) 1 session with a 80% improvement rate? impressive by any "drug" standard.

The man who co-founded the 12 step AA program, Bill Wilson, wasn't able to get over his addiction to alcohol until he used LSD! I think that speaks volumes about the difference between drugs and medicine.

I believe Psychedelics and Cannabis are Medicine and Teachers.

I think of them as flexing a muscle you didn't know you had. Each time you use them, you become more familiar with that energy, that state of being, and it becomes easier to 'get there' without the medicine itself. And each type is like a slightly different 'lens' that gives it's own new view on reality.

Bashar explains a bit on Cannabis as a teacher (I know not everyone is into Channeling, but his points are inline with my personal view, someone in a Law of One facebook group posted these just today & it reminded me of this thread. Some were saying that even RA says these are 'aids', not "drugs".)


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[halcyon026]

- this leads to: perhaps they are demonized by TPTB, perhaps they are denied to make people interested in them and thus be gateways for "Evil" influences to enter this world.



UT

UT,

Think of it this way. Do you think someone with a low vibration/energy is more vulnerable to 'Evil' influences than someone with a higher vibration/energy?

Now comes the part where our views are completely different... fluoride, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol are all legal mind altering substances that are neurotoxins, addictive, and lower your vibration/energy. But you likely put 1 or more of those 4 things in your body daily while judging us for using LSD twice a year.
My view is that Psychedelics and Cannabis help raise awareness, raise vibration/energy.

So you can see how UT see's them as drugs that open you to Evil while I see them as medicine and teachers that prepare me to face 'evil', how to be aware of it or to completely avoid it. And these other drugs like sugar, caffeine, alcohol, which the Cabal allows to be legal, lower our vibration and leave us more vulnerable to 'evil'. Why do you think Psychedelics are illegal but those other mind altering substances aren't?? Because 1 set dumbs you down and the other set awakens you. Are the Cabal in the business of helping us awake?

Of course I don't buy into the duality of good/evil either but that's another topic. 'Evil' will simply be 'low frequency', 'low awareness' or 'ignorance' for the sake of this topic.

Consider that if Psychedelics take you to 'other worldly places' that then the experiencer is more familiar with ALL that is available in existence than the person who only sits in normal waking Beta brain waves. We become aware of more truths, more views, more planes of reality, more entities, more of God's creation, become more connected... Does that make me more vulnerable to 'evil' or more prepared???



OH, I wanted to point out something else about Psychedelics, as I noted before, they are being used to cure addiction and this is part of how they are teachers, how they rewire the brain, etc. Personally I've seen them remove all sorts of addictions from my life. I'm not taking hard drugs, I've never touched drugs, only medicine like Psychedelics and Cannabis, but I mean things like emotional addictions, habitual patterns like obsessive over thinking, false self beliefs, social anxiety, nervous ticks from my childhood that western doctors couldn't stop, low self esteem, the list goes on.

They show you so much about where you're holding, what you've hidden deep within, false identities, false beliefs about reality. They open you to higher levels of awareness, a clearer view, a more connected awareness. It's so very hard to explain, you simply wouldn't understand unless you did them yourself.

For me and other friends I've witnessed over the decades of using Psychedelics is that addictions just start to fall away. People who didn't even care to stop them or didn't see them as issues suddenly become aware, "I don't want to drink coffee every morning". Your desires to do unhealthy things start to fade away, like a rewiring in the brain. My friend recently tried LSD (she's in her 60's), she's been addicted to sugar her whole life, has diabetes, now suddenly she'll mention to me how she doesn't care for the taste or experience of sugar anymore & how aware she is that she doesn't want it like she use to. That's not even why she tried LSD, but these teachers show you what needs to be know. And after each layer is removed, you can go deeper, or to new places with your Psychedelic journeys.

To me, that's how medicine should work. Drugs are what your doctors give you, that lead you to be dependent and addicted to their drugs, which society says is perfectly healthy. But don't you dare touch Psychedelics and get over your addictions. Psychedelics don't lead to harder drugs or addiction, they relieve the user of such things. If a person does use Psychedelics and hard drugs, I would say that has everything to do with that individual and their life situation.

Becoming addicted to Psychedelics would be tricky for a few reasons, 1. they are non-addictive unlike sugar or alcohol. 2. You have to double your dose each day to have an equal trip to the day before. IE: Day one you take 1 hit of LSD, day 2 take 2 hits, day 3 take 4 hits, day 4 take 8 hits, day 5 take 16 hits.... You can see how it would be tricky to go on a month long LSD binge. Not to mention, they last a whole day, and if you have done them, you'd understand why it's not desirable to keep doing them day after day or week after week. You do a few sessions over a few months or year.

People don't do shrooms and the next day think OMG I need Meth next!! They usually say OMG I need more God in my life, more Nature in my life, more love in my life, more peace in my life, I need to help others more, etc.

[halcyon026]

- why are psychedelics usually referred to being healing, extraordinary etc., but a bad experience is handled by a shrug - just a bad trip? The bad trips should be imo much more interesting and emphasized and not dismissed. Perhaps people who have bad experiences that even make their lives worse for good, are embarrassed to tell about it?


UT

I like sharing my 'bad trip' experience with people because in some ways it's the best or most 'freeing' experience. Because of what it later brought about.

So, when I was a late teens/early 20's, I had a bad trip, at this point I had done shrooms 10-ish times. This bad trip was such a blessing & because of it, I believe I overcame the likelihood of having another. It relieved my fears and discomforts with Psychedelics. Though it took years for me to get there. After the bad trip I didn't do them again for years. Then I did a very small dose cause I was still scared and during that mini trip I realized I'm perfectly safe and months after that mini trip I did my first full trip in years and I became so aware of what had changed. I was so comfortable and at peace with this medicine, I understood what had happened all those years ago, what a valuable experience it was. And after that I was so much more confident in my mental ability and strength. I started to see how a Jedi could resist others reading their mind or controlling them, but there's so much more to what I became aware of about myself, my mind, and my reality. I could write pages on this.

In short, during this bad trip, I lost grip with 3D reality. Colors would switch places, people were strange creatures I couldn't relate to or properly identify, I was losing grips with my egoic identity so I wasn't my story or past anymore. I was certain I was going to die. I kept asking a friend who was in nursing school (doing shrooms with me too), if I would die if I forgot to make my heart beat or make myself breathe. I spent hours unable to speak to others because language wasn't working the same for me, it was bizarre, but also because I was so caught up in focusing on 'making' my heart beat. I thought if I didn't keep full time mental effort my heart would stop or my breathing would stop.

At one point I was certain I heard a helicopter land on the roof and yelling from soldiers preparing to break into the house... And I mean I heard them! It was as real as anything else.

There is so much more to this story, but I wanted to keep it short and make the point about how much it brought to me, later, as often these Psychedelics journeys can have realizations unfold over months. These days, I'm very confident with Psychedelics because of that 'bad trip'. I learned how to stop them, what brings them on, how to recognize if one is starting & how to allow the energy and experience to keep going deeper, without losing myself in a scary 'bad trip'. There is something about losing reality, losing self, and coming back. The things that are happening to the mind and at an energetic level are beyond our understanding but it's happening during these experiences and I for one know beyond a doubt, my life, my awareness, my happiness, my peace of mind are all greatly heightened because of my experiences with Psychedelics. My fear of death is greatly reduced and I've found you can live a more fulfilling life, when you lack fear of death.

Often times, for new comers, a 'bad trip' can simply be facing parts of themselves, habitual thoughts, false fears, addictions, fear of death, fear of being alone, fear of not being good enough, etc etc. And they come out of it saying I was so negative feeling and scared I would 'XYZ' and later they come to realize it wasn't the medicine doing negative things, it was all them being brought to the surface to face it, or to be shown to not fear it or to be shown whatever it might be they needed to see or experience, but in all cases it's happening to bring about a positive result for the user, IMO, and the planet combined with our consciousness are that intelligent to know what to show us.

[Ultima Thule]

@Halcyon

Caffeine - personally yes, the others no - completely agree with your assesment of these mundane, everyday substances being WAY bigger threat to humanity than almost any drug (well they all are drugs, aren't they?). Sugar as an example - from the start had all the hallmarks of drug industry - slavery, weapons trade and giant profit. Definitely get what you mean.

On an another note (getting past the need to assure me of the GOOD in psychedelics):
Let's say that most - if not all - disease is the product of psychological trauma, which is basically unresolved life experiences that you have not been able to incorporate into your personal narrative in a meaningful way.
Okay - we said that - have you ever read anything about so called "new german medicine"? I recall that it revolves around an idea by a doctor that unresolved issues can actually be visible in brain mri/ct image, and depending on the area of the brain, he allegedly had a good track record of predicting/diagnosing cancer type by just looking at the images.

The point imo being: trauma+time=high propability for cancer.
From that point of view, I can relate to psychedelics as possible agents in pushing forward the resolving of stuck trauma(kudos to Mike for his post).

What I would add to that is: some "thing" that possesses the capability to resolve some other "thing", often carries in itself the chance to aggravate it. Call it homeopathic principle of psychedelics :P
What the would be important: the right dosage, at the right time for the right person. If that all goes wrong, I argue (still) that things can also go very much wrong.

To put things into perspective: given the all-mighty powers of divine intervention and a forced choice (how does that work with my all-mightiness?!?) between removing psychedelics or processed sugar and its machine of delivery from this earth - the answer would be hands-down sugar.

I definitely agree that we are talking in magnitude of something miniscule vs gargantuan when we compare psychedelics to for example sugar. As I earlier wrote, I am biased in my views, perhaps because I've seen some bad examples of psychedelics on an individual level and so MANY bad examples of (for example) of sugar, that the latter have blurred into a statistic. (Remember Stalin..)

I do have to add: in addition to my own biased view, I think I do see in this thread rationalization in favor of psychedelics and see that as being not completely sound view neither. The truth is propably in between.
UT

[Bubu]

The environment and intent is key. .

I agree. LSD is an amplifier so I suggest not to start on a bad mood.

[Bubu]

The environment and intent is key. .

I agree. LSD is an amplifier so I suggest not to start on a bad mood.

I found out that a good music can turn back a bad trip. From then on I had a music player handy whenever I make a journey.

[TargeT]

I think I do see in this thread rationalization in favor of psychedelics and see that as being not completely sound view neither. The truth is propably in between.
UT

I'd say, as with all things, do what works best for you.

I'm certainly a supporter of psychedelics due to my own anecdotal experiences, so for me its a fully positive thing; but everyone's experience here is different and I'm certain the exact opposite experience of mine exists out there somewhere as well.

Since we have no evidence of negative outcomes other than anecdotal stories of "bad trips", and the same for "positive" experiences (anecdotal stories) although you do have to mention psychedelics ability to break addiction (https://www.thefix.com/content/hallucinogens-psychedelics-LSD-PTSD-addiction-research8760?page=all), this has been documented a lot. Now we can use a bit of pattern analysis to recognize this: Humans in veritably over report negative experiences, their own experiences and others; positive experiences are always under reported. This can be applied to anything from restaurants to psychedelics.

In the case of psychedelics it appears there are far more positive stories than negative (IMO, and thus with the propensity of humans to always focus on the negative we can tell one thing: it's probably mostly positive). Even if the negative / positive ratio were exactly the same, we could still conclude that the experience is probably mostly positive due to this phenomenon.


(how's that for rationalization?)

[dynamo]

... By the way Albert Hoffman tried to synthecise the psychoactive part of the mushrooms and succeeded, that was the birth of LSD. ...
wasn't LSD obtained from the fungus of rye, ergot???
oh and BTW, any "Trip" you can get from psychedelics can be replicated through deep mediation but with much more clarity and control and much less distortion and hallucinations...(yes, I have practised both many, many times LOL).

[TargeT]

... By the way Albert Hoffman tried to synthecise the psychoactive part of the mushrooms and succeeded, that was the birth of LSD. ...
wasn't LSD obtained from the fungus of rye, ergot???

Yup... in an attempt to make pharmaceuticals.


Albert Hofmann, born in Switzerland, joined the pharmaceutical-chemical department of Sandoz Laboratories, located in Basel as a co-worker with professor Arthur Stoll, founder and director of the pharmaceutical department.[3] He began studying the medicinal plant squill and the fungus ergot as part of a program to purify and synthesize active constituents for use as pharmaceuticals. His main contribution was to elucidate the chemical structure of the common nucleus of Scilla glycosides (an active principle of Mediterranean Squill).[3] While researching lysergic acid derivatives, Hofmann first synthesized LSD on November 16, 1938.[1] The main intention of the synthesis was to obtain a respiratory and circulatory stimulant (an analeptic). It was set aside for five years, until April 16, 1943,[4] when Hofmann decided to take a second look at it. While re-synthesizing LSD, he accidentally absorbed a small amount of the drug through his fingertips and discovered its powerful effects.[5] He described what he felt as being:

... affected by a remarkable restlessness, combined with a slight dizziness. At home I lay down and sank into a not unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. In a dreamlike state, with eyes closed (I found the daylight to be unpleasantly glaring), I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors. After about two hours this condition faded away.[6]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_lysergic_acid_diethylamide



oh and BTW, any "Trip" you can get from psychedelics can be replicated through deep mediation but with much more clarity and control and much less distortion and hallucinations...(yes, I have practised both many, many times LOL).

Don't even need to Meditate, just get a float tank (aka Isolation tank) or visit one.

IMO there are many paths to seemingly the same destination.

[Bubu]

I think I do see in this thread rationalization in favor of psychedelics and see that as being not completely sound view neither. The truth is propably in between.
UT

I'd say, as with all things, do what works best for you.

I'm certainly a supporter of psychedelics due to my own anecdotal experiences, so for me its a fully positive thing; but everyone's experience here is different and I'm certain the exact opposite experience of mine exists out there somewhere as well.

Since we have no evidence of negative outcomes other than anecdotal stories of "bad trips", and the same for "positive" experiences (anecdotal stories) although you do have to mention psychedelics ability to break addiction (https://www.thefix.com/content/hallucinogens-psychedelics-LSD-PTSD-addiction-research8760?page=all), this has been documented a lot. Now we can use a bit of pattern analysis to recognize this: Humans in veritably over report negative experiences, their own experiences and others; positive experiences are always under reported. This can be applied to anything from restaurants to psychedelics.

In the case of psychedelics it appears there are far more positive stories than negative (IMO, and thus with the propensity of humans to always focus on the negative we can tell one thing: it's probably mostly positive). Even if the negative / positive ratio were exactly the same, we could still conclude that the experience is probably mostly positive due to this phenomenon.


(how's that for rationalization?)

well said. far as i can remember there are many threads here on avalon in regards but there was no one who claimed to have a negative firsthand experience with shrooms or maybe I have missed it because of its rarity. On this thread alone everyone who has firsthand experience has a positive overall experience.

[Bubu]

... By the way Albert Hoffman tried to synthecise the psychoactive part of the mushrooms and succeeded, that was the birth of LSD. ...
wasn't LSD obtained from the fungus of rye, ergot???
oh and BTW, any "Trip" you can get from psychedelics can be replicated through deep mediation but with much more clarity and control and much less distortion and hallucinations...(yes, I have practised both many, many times LOL).

I dont know exactly what control you are talking about. But isnt it all about letting go and riding with.

[Jantje]

I think I do see in this thread rationalization in favor of psychedelics and see that as being not completely sound view neither. The truth is propably in between.
UT

I'd say, as with all things, do what works best for you.

I'm certainly a supporter of psychedelics due to my own anecdotal experiences, so for me its a fully positive thing; but everyone's experience here is different and I'm certain the exact opposite experience of mine exists out there somewhere as well.

Since we have no evidence of negative outcomes other than anecdotal stories of "bad trips", and the same for "positive" experiences (anecdotal stories) although you do have to mention psychedelics ability to break addiction (https://www.thefix.com/content/hallucinogens-psychedelics-LSD-PTSD-addiction-research8760?page=all), this has been documented a lot. Now we can use a bit of pattern analysis to recognize this: Humans in veritably over report negative experiences, their own experiences and others; positive experiences are always under reported. This can be applied to anything from restaurants to psychedelics.

In the case of psychedelics it appears there are far more positive stories than negative (IMO, and thus with the propensity of humans to always focus on the negative we can tell one thing: it's probably mostly positive). Even if the negative / positive ratio were exactly the same, we could still conclude that the experience is probably mostly positive due to this phenomenon.


(how's that for rationalization?)

well said. far as i can remember there are many threads here on avalon in regards but there was no one who claimed to have a negative firsthand experience with shrooms or maybe I have missed it because of its rarity. On this thread alone everyone who has firsthand experience has a positive overall experience.

I had an experience on mushrooms where it felt like there were needles stinging me all over my body followed by heavy sweating. That was a negative experience but that didn't outweigh the other incredibly liberating experiences I had.

Food can also interact with mushrooms. That's one of the reasons it is commonly suggested to take mushrooms on an empty stomach.
I remember one time where me and friend took psychedelics and I had a better experience which I blame on my empty stomach vs his stomach after dinner.

[dynamo]

...

Don't even need to Meditate, just get a float tank (aka Isolation tank) or visit one.

IMO there are many paths to seemingly the same destination.
Indeed, many paths to essentially clear your mind and think about "nothing", bringing on an enhanced realization and awareness of one's self, existence and surroundings...


...

I dont know exactly what control you are talking about. But isnt it all about letting go and riding with.

Simply put, by control, I mean that you can go where YOU want to go, do what YOU want to do, i.e. not have the psychoactive component of the ingested compound lead your thoughts/mind/actions.

[DebJoy]

I believe it's a great idea to study this topic of "plant medicines." Many studies were shut down decades ago as many of these positive results were starting to surface. Over a year ago, I felt compelled to come to South America and work with both Ayahuasca and San Pedro, and found the experiences to be hugely beneficial. I approached it reverently, prepared well doing a specific dieta, and worked on my intentions. These are sacred ceremonies and not to be taken lightly nor recreationally. These were not easy experiences for me, and I worked in a group of people with experienced shamans who were well respected and actually been personally recommended and were able to hold the space well. My lessons were profound, and I'll concur with others who say that a single session can be the equivalent of 20 years therapy. I have heard that Ayahuasca can help decalcify the pineal gland, thus making it easier to access your intuition or higher guidance. Afterwards, I found myself more compelled to make life decisions that I'd been reluctant to make previously, and to take steps to implement huge healing and changes in my life after doing these ceremonies - other modalities may have prepared me some but none had the impact that Ayahuasca and San Pedro have had in helping me get "unstuck".

So if you feel so inclined, do your research - there are lots of youtube videos and websites out there. I can see that there may be issues if you do this alone (without a qualified shaman), or get caught up in the Ayahuasca tourism ego-trap that has taken off in recent years and chose the wrong place, or do it for recreational purposes, or don't implement the visions/messages you receive once you reenter "real" life, etc. And I know there are more "etc's." However, my experiences have been extremely positive and some very resistant problems have been resolved with beautiful wisdom and grace. So I'm all for researching this further - especially as there are lovely Native North and South American prophecies that talks about the north/south - the eagle/condor meeting and that results in healing the world.

There's also another study showing that Ayahuasca is stimulating the production of new brain cells: http://timewheel.net/scientists-find-ayahuasca-stimulates-birth-new-brain-cells/