I'm not sure where to put this topic, I almost put it in Debates or Spirituality, but I think the topic is much broader than that.
First I would like to simply ask those with experience concerning altered states, especially through the use of psychedelics, what your overall impression is of those altered states? How have these substances affected your own journey through life?
This is clearly a topic with a lot of paranoia and irrelevant hype surrounding it, so let's please stick to the facts. I would appreciate it if anyone wants to assert something concerning the medical concerns of these drugs, that they first do the proper research and submit to this audience a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Always take into account alterior motives, institutional funding (D.I.A. or other government agencies, for example), etc. The most unbiased website that I have come across concerning all psychoactive substances is http://erowid.org, which always states upfront both the negatives and the positives of a drug, and if for some reason there is not enough research available to make a definitive statement concerning the substance, it is so noted. At any rate, please avoid generalized abstractions concerning these controversial substances.
I would really rather that this not become a debate, but a mature discussion among those interested in this topic.
Originally posted by avapxiaI found that that every drug honeymoon (nice while it lasts) eventually comes to an end. . . . After moving left to right with a few exceptions through the narcotic bar, hard cold reality has been the most mind altering experience I have ever had.
I'm not sure where to put this topic, I almost put it in Debates or Spirituality, but I think the topic is much broader than that.
First I would like to simply ask those with experience concerning altered states, especially through the use of psychedelics, what your overall impression is of those altered states? How have these substances affected your ...[text shortened]... r that this not become a debate, but a mature discussion among those interested in this topic.
mm. good luck getting a mature scientific discussion on the general forum...
just looked at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychedelic_drug for a definition. i assume you're talking about more than cannabis: lsd and the like.
in which case i've never knowingly taken any, and the one time i may have unknowingly taken some it was not an enjoyable or enlightening experience. so i have nothing very constructive to contribute.
Originally posted by avapxiaRead about Don Juan the Yaqui Indian Sorceror. You know, the Carlos Casteneda books.
I'm not sure where to put this topic, I almost put it in Debates or Spirituality, but I think the topic is much broader than that.
First I would like to simply ask those with experience concerning altered states, especially through the use of psychedelics, what your overall impression is of those altered states? How have these substances affected your ...[text shortened]... r that this not become a debate, but a mature discussion among those interested in this topic.
Originally posted by Officer DibbleDid someone drop Rohipnol in your drink and. . . . ? 😵
mm. good luck getting a mature scientific discussion on the general forum...
just looked at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychedelic_drug for a definition. i assume you're talking about more than cannabis: lsd and the like.
in which case i've never knowingly taken any, and the one time i may have unknowingly taken some it was not an enjoyable or enlightening experience. so i have nothing very constructive to contribute.
Originally posted by EAPOEPsychedelics affect people in notably subjective ways. Of course, if you want to make a hierarchical list concerning which experience in your life has been "the most mind altering," you may do so, and in your case it seems to have been "hard cold reality" (a definitive definition!). However, this seems to me to be irrelevant because despite whatever rank psychedelics are on your list (it may be 3rd or 15th for all I know), the list does not demand exclusive use each entry.
I found that that every drug honeymoon (nice while it lasts) eventually comes to an end. . . . After moving left to right with a few exceptions through the narcotic bar, hard cold reality has been the most mind altering experience I have ever had.
That is to say, you can use sobriety and psychedelics throughout your lifetime without permanently and exclusively choosing one or the other. No one is claiming that an altered state is better than a sober state, or that one should reject sobriety so that they can be constantly stoned. In my own experiences, psychedelics make for a wonderful accessory brain-state to sobriety.
Of course, if the honeymoon came and went that quickly, maybe you were never in love. Again, the psychedelic experience is completely subjective, so by no means am I saying that it is not acceptable to not use psychedelics. If you gain more insight into "hard cold reality" through exclusive sobriety, then by all means do so.
Remember though that entertainment also adds meaning and enjoyment to your life. This is why alcohol is so popular, and although psychedelics have a much different effect on the user, they can be used in just the same way.
Remember, you don't always have to look for the meaning of life (reality) or something similarly pompous while under the influence of psychedelics. Entertainment is a valid motivation.
Originally posted by avapxiaMay I ask your age?
Psychedelics affect people in notably subjective ways. Of course, if you want to make a hierarchical list concerning which experience in your life has been "the most mind altering," you may do so, and in your case it seems to have been "hard cold reality" (a definitive definition!). However, this seems to me to be irrelevant because despite whatever rank p ...[text shortened]... pompous while under the influence of psychedelics. Entertainment is a valid motivation.
Originally posted by avapxiaI agree with what you say. . . Taking a substance that has the ability to blast away the usual framework can lead to creativity that would never otherwise have been realised.
Psychedelics affect people in notably subjective ways. Of course, if you want to make a hierarchical list concerning which experience in your life has been "the most mind altering," you may do so, and in your case it seems to have been "hard cold reality" (a definitive definition!). However, this seems to me to be irrelevant because despite whatever rank p ...[text shortened]... pompous while under the influence of psychedelics. Entertainment is a valid motivation.
I would say that a shift to an experience that is other or different from the usual reality can be beneficial and very enjoyable. Much in art and literature has been produced as a result of "induced state of mind".
At the same time I would never recommend the use of molecules that are not tested or liscenced.
i started with curiosity. i had no idea that my self would be obliterated. after that happened, i adjusted and proceeded to obliterate my self regularly... it was quite enjoyable... usually.
that was years ago.
now i meditate.
it's much healthier.
i found that the price of meeting the collective consciousness prematurely was a significant decline in my ability to concentrate.
was it worth it? maybe... but if i had kids i wouldn't want them to do what i did.
um... what was i saying?
😉
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Originally posted by EAPOEYeah, definitely. It absolutely comes down to how you use the chemicals, and the state of mind.
I agree with what you say. . . Taking a substance that has the ability to blast away the usual framework can lead to creativity that would never otherwise have been realised.
I would say that a shift to an experience that is other or different from the usual reality can be beneficial and very enjoyable. Much in art and literature has been produced as a res t the same time I would never recommend the use of molecules that are not tested or liscenced.
May I ask your age?
Sure, twenty.
i started with curiosity. i had no idea that my self would be obliterated. after that happened, i adjusted and proceeded to obliterate my self regularly... it was quite enjoyable... usually.
that was years ago.
now i meditate.
it's much healthier.
Can you explain what you mean by 'obliterated?' When you say you obliterated your self, are you referring to your health and physical body, or a spiritual 'self?' If you mean physically, what drug were you using which you would consider unhealthy?
It's great to here that you have found mental/spiritual fulfillment through meditation. It's an interesting topic and from my limited experience, an authentic spiritual practice (as opposed to say, taking communion).
Originally posted by avapxiaThat psychadelic drugs alter the way you see life is absolute rubbish.
I'm not sure where to put this topic, I almost put it in Debates or Spirituality, but I think the topic is much broader than that.
First I would like to simply ask those with experience concerning altered states, especially through the use of psychedelics, what your overall impression is of those altered states? How have these substances affected your ...[text shortened]... r that this not become a debate, but a mature discussion among those interested in this topic.
Yes, you see things that aren't there. But you also watch films, have various lighting (like stroboscopes and blue light) and wear orange sun glasses whilst driving in winter; these all give an "alternative" experience on life and how we see it as well.
Any lessons you need in not bustling, living in the now and comprehending what's really important can be found in any good book shop. I recommend "The Tao of Pooh" because it's an easy read and Winnie is actually a very mellow character.
Psychadelic drugs (LSD, mushroom, etc) are like any other drug...they're recreational. And reading up on the bad and the good is always a smart thing to do.
Something else, I may add, is that psychadelic drugs do have a history of triggering various mental disorders. Most of these disorders will have been triggered by the time you're 25 (excluding child birth), so it's always a precaution to wait until your older to try them.
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Originally posted by shavixmiryep, stay away from them if you feel any mental unstability in you, they can trigger the disorder. and when the cat's out of the bag, it's out. always check the medical research for facts before you try a substance. there's no need to burn your brain.
Something else, I may add, is that psychadelic drugs do have a history of triggering various mental disorders. Most of these disorders will have been triggered by the time you're 25 (excluding child birth), so it's always a precaution to wait until your older to try them.
about life altering experience. I've always found that people on psychoactives talk utter nonsense as far as that goes. I recognize it might feel like you had attained some higher truths, but I've never met anybody who could describe these 'truths' beyond vague feelings or abstract generalities. and if they can't be expressed, I'm pretty sure there's really no information to be expressed. just a feeling of having attained that information, induced by a chemical reaction that would happen if the information was attained, but now it was just the drugs.
that said, any way to break your normal train of though will result in creativity. it doesn't have to be chemically induced, but it can. and the more you create the easier it comes. I guess that's also why there's the risk of flipping out with drugs.
the weirdest altered states of mind I've encountered have happened completely sober. five days trekking in the tundra makes life seem really dreamy. but you know it's real, and that's what's so strange about it.
