Looks like pscyhedelics are slowly coming out of the shadows and it's doctors and researchers doing the work of de-stigmatizing it:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/05/15/611225541/reluctant-psychonaut-michael-pollan-embraces-the-new-science-of-psychedelics
I won't, personally, but I won't stop or judge others who are safe about it.
Do it with another person around whom you can trust, and don't mix it with any other drugs (prescription or not). As far as I know the largest risk is just having a bad trip, it's not going to kill you or anything, but it might be unpleasant.
If one has a tendency toward depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, definitely do not take LSD. Otherwise, the average dose on the street these days is apparently about a third the strength of that in the late 1960s and 70s, so prepare to be underwhelmed — or to take several hits. I'd start with one to be safe. Take blotter or microdot to avoid adulteration with other substances; It used to be common to cut larger tablets with speed, PCP or worse.
Quote from: jessop on May 18, 2018, 02:21:58 PM
I won't, personally, but I won't stop or judge others who are safe about it.
+1
Guys, don't do drugs, there are better things to do... like listening to music.
Are you trolling me???? :P
Why, you do both at the same time? :P
Quote from: aleazk on May 19, 2018, 03:11:52 PM
Guys, don't do drugs, there are better things to do... like listening to music.
+1
Andrew Sullivan endorses pscyhedelics!
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/05/andrew-sullivan-why-we-should-say-yes-to-drugs.html?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=s3&utm_campaign=sharebutton-t
Quote from: snyprrr on May 20, 2018, 07:48:42 AM
Are you trolling me? ??? :P
Put the soy lecithin
down!
Ingesting a chemical which alters your brain dynamics in an undefined way. What could go wrong?
Quote from: -abe- on May 25, 2018, 07:06:10 AM
Andrew Sullivan endorses pscyhedelics!
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/05/andrew-sullivan-why-we-should-say-yes-to-drugs.html?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=s3&utm_campaign=sharebutton-t
Andrew Sullivan might be saner on LSD. Whatever he's been on the last 15 years is clearly much stronger.
Quote from: Ken B on May 25, 2018, 11:02:31 AM
Andrew Sullivan might be saner on LSD. Whatever he's been on the last 15 years is clearly much stronger.
;D
Quote from: Baron Scarpia on May 25, 2018, 08:32:39 AM
Ingesting a chemical which alters your brain dynamics in an undefined way. What could go wrong?
We have a huge thread dedicated to our appreciation of the consumption of alcohol, the most deadly and damaging drug, aside from heroin or cocaine.
Quote from: -abe- on May 25, 2018, 11:28:42 AM
We have a huge thread dedicated to our appreciation of the consumption of alcohol, the most deadly and damaging drug, aside from heroin or cocaine.
Alcohol is a metabolic suppressor. Clearly it is dangerous when abused. But it does not alter brain dynamics by binding to receptors, as opiates, cocaine or other psychotropic drugs do.
I think there is an addiction to pointing to alcohol, as if its use justifies any other recreational substance.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 25, 2018, 01:00:10 PM
I think there is an addiction to pointing to alcohol, as if its use justifies any other recreational substance.
One major difference in my mind is that alcoholic beverages are enjoyed (by a large number of people) for many reasons other than merely their intoxicating effects, whereas the point of taking LSD or marijuana or some other recreational drug is for the effects, period, with anything else as an adjunct to that primary experience.
Quote from: Baron Scarpia on May 25, 2018, 11:36:22 AM
Alcohol is a metabolic suppressor. Clearly it is dangerous when abused. But it does not alter brain dynamics by binding to receptors, as opiates, cocaine or other psychotropic drugs do.
This is incorrect. Alcohol binds to gamma-aminobutyric-acid receptors in the brain, to N-methyl-d-aspertate receptors and even small amounts of alcohol increase dopamine in the nucleus accumbens area of the brain. It has multiple effects on brain chemistry by acting as agonist or antagonist at various receptor sites.
Quote from: Mahlerian on May 25, 2018, 01:37:54 PM
One major difference in my mind is that alcoholic beverages are enjoyed (by a large number of people) for many reasons other than merely their intoxicating effects, whereas the point of taking LSD or marijuana or some other recreational drug is for the effects, period, with anything else as an adjunct to that primary experience.
Sorry, but this is just wrong. All of the social and sensual effects of drinking are enjoyed equally by smokers of cannabis in various forms. Good hashish and weed is delicious — I'm told ;) — and unlike gin or beer, it tastes and smells good the first time one tries it — or so I have heard. People use it a social lubricant and as something to share in group settings (the family that smokes together ...). Perhaps I'll try it one of these days.
I don't know. But as long as it's legal I'm generally all for people eating, reading, watching, imbibing whatever (and fu--king whoever) they want to.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 25, 2018, 01:00:10 PM
I think there is an addiction to pointing to alcohol, as if its use justifies any other recreational substance.
Excuse me for once again reaching for the low hanging fruit of pointing out that astounding hypocrisy.
Quote from: BasilValentine on May 25, 2018, 01:41:58 PM
This is incorrect. Alcohol binds to gamma-aminobutyric-acid receptors in the brain, to N-methyl-d-aspertate receptors and even small amounts of alcohol increase dopamine in the nucleus accumbens area of the brain. It has multiple effects on brain chemistry by acting as agonist or antagonist at various receptor sites.
You are right, my statement was incorrect. But it is a low potency drug which primarily enhances GABA, resulting in neuroinhibition and having a general sedative effect. It does not cause hallucinations, dissociation, etc. I wouldn't want to give up my glass of wine with dinner, mainly for the taste. I've seen what opioids do, even under supervision of a 'pain specialist' (i.e., pusher). There is no comparison.
Quote from: NikF on May 25, 2018, 01:55:54 PM
But as long as it's legal I'm generally all for people eating, reading, watching, imbibing whatever (and fu--king whoever) they want to.
Yes. I suppose I took the thread literally:
Should I? Of course, one cannot absolutely answer without doing so, whether one should or should not. I am inclined to think I should not.
Quote from: Baron Scarpia on May 25, 2018, 03:00:35 PM
You are right, my statement was incorrect. But it is a low potency drug which primarily enhances GABA, resulting in neuroinhibition and having a general sedative effect. It does not cause hallucinations, dissociation, etc. I wouldn't want to give up my glass of wine with dinner, mainly for the taste. I've seen what opioids do, even under supervision of a 'pain specialist' (i.e., pusher). There is no comparison.
Opiods don't really have anything to do with the thread topic. And you talk about hallucinations like they're a bad thing! You do know that's most of the point of taking the stuff, right?
Well, to return to the original point, I don't think it is wise to take a substances like LSD that re-wires your brain to the point where you can't distinguish a hallucination from reality. It is alcohol which was the non sequitur in this thread.
Quote from: Baron Scarpia on May 25, 2018, 03:55:40 PM
Well, to return to the original point, I don't think it is wise to take a substances like LSD that re-wires your brain to the point where you can't distinguish a hallucination from reality.
I took LSD once. I was certainly aware the entire time that my perceptions were being impacted by the substance. Have you taken LSD such that you know of what you speak? The knee jerk objection to taking hallicugens reeks of puritanism and fear of the unknown more than prudance.
Also: You only live once, only to return to nothingness. If you try LSD and you don't like it you can get mad at me. However, what if you're just missing out on lovely experiences out of fear and puritanism?
As Andrew Sullivan says of the effects the substance had on him:
"I found myself overwhelmed with the feeling of love for others, for boundless compassion, sometimes almost painful empathy."
That's exactly what I felt. The effect of listening music on it was also extremely intense and pleasurable. And there was an after glow that lasted several days -- and the experience is such that you don't necessarily want to repeat it immediately, which wouldn't work anyway. You can only have solid LSD trips once every three months or so from what I gather.
It's almost been a year. I wish I had some LSD tabs right now. :(
Quote from: -abe- on May 25, 2018, 04:45:38 PM
Also: You only live once, only to return to nothingness. If you try LSD and you don't like it you can get mad at me. However, what if you're just missing out on lovely experiences out of fear and puritanism?
As Andrew Sullivan says of the effects the substance had on him:
"I found myself overwhelmed with the feeling of love for others, for boundless compassion, sometimes almost painful empathy."
That's exactly what I felt. The effect of listening music on it was also extremely intense and pleasurable. And there was an after glow that lasted several days -- and the experience is such that you don't necessarily want to repeat it immediately, which wouldn't work anyway. You can only have solid LSD trips once every three months or so from what I gather.
It's almost been a year. I wish I had some LSD tabs right now. :(
Well, with Sullivan any change would be an improvement. Karl, not so much.
Unless it made him see the light on Mennin's 8th I suppose.
Quote from: Ken B on May 25, 2018, 06:39:06 PM
Unless it made him see the light on Mennin's 8th I suppose.
If this light I see is a hallucination ... I'm going with it!
Quote from: Baron Scarpia on May 25, 2018, 03:55:40 PM
Well, to return to the original point, I don't think it is wise to take a substances like LSD that re-wires your brain to the point where you can't distinguish a hallucination from reality. It is alcohol which was the non sequitur in this thread.
Yes, I believe abe is on to something. Being unable to distinguish hallucination from reality is the relatively rare exception to the rule, something of which you would likely be aware had you any first-hand or even reliable second-hand information — that is, friends who tripped. ;)