For The Love Of Experience
Posted by torbjornrive on September 1, 2008
If you’ve never done a hallucinogenic drug, perhaps it’s not too late.
Over the past two years, studying the effects of natural hallucinogens has been taken to a whole new level. Back in style, perhaps? That’s because… With further research, psilocybin (pronounced SILL-oh-SY-bin) may prove useful in helping to treat alcoholism and drug dependence, and in aiding seriously ill patients as they deal with psychological distress, said study lead author Roland Griffiths of Johns Hopkins.
As you know, the drug is illegal, but has been used in ceremonies for centuries. Life-changing and religious ceremonies. Coincidence? I think not.
A volunteer from the 2007 experiment vocalized that, “…then came brilliant colors and beautiful patterns, just stunningly gorgeous, more intense than normal reality.”
…and then, the sensation that her heart was tearing open…”It would come in waves,” she recalled. “I found myself doing Lamaze-type breathing as the pain came on.”
Yet, “it was a joyful, ecstatic thing at the same time, like the joy of being alive,” … “There was this sense of relief and joy and ecstasy when my heart was opened.”
That’s likely from a first-time user, so her response was rather vivid.
“…Scientists reported [that] when they surveyed volunteers 14 months after they took the drug, most said they were still feeling and behaving better because of the experience.”
I really liked that commentary; feeling and behaving better because of the experience.
This is good too: “Experts emphasize that people should not try psilocybin on their own because it could be harmful. Even in the controlled setting of the laboratory, nearly a third of participants felt significant fear under the effects of the drug. Without proper supervision, someone could be harmed, researchers said.”
Personally, if I were to do mushrooms again I wouldn’t do them in any sort of ‘controlled’ setting. Hah. In fact, doing mushrooms indoors is generally a bad idea. If you take them indoors, be sure to move outdoors to quiet surroundings ASAP, preferably a beach or forest. An open field does the trick. In my second year at university, 2001 or so, a friend called me long-distance, scared shitless. I had recently recommended mushrooms as a pretty sweet experience: so he did them in his dorm room. In Philadelphia. Shitty, shitty idea. He told me that he thought that not only were people trying to kill him, but that he was having suicidal thoughts. This could stem back to lingering personal problems – as it’s still your own brain in there.
Note: If you’ve done them, you may be having a minor flash back as you read this. That may come in the form of general nervousness, or uncontrollable grinning.
Personally, I think that when taken in a happy place, mushrooms can be an extremely positive experience. Weird thoughts and your strange imagination always provide grand realizations.
However (as with my Philly dorm room friend): more than 20% of the participants described their psilocybin sessions as dominated by negative feelings such as anxiety. [Griffith] stresses that the drug is no replacement for the mental health benefits of continuous personal reflection: “There’s all the difference in the world between a spiritual experience and a spiritual life.”
I say do both, the life and the experience – one should assist the other.
Mark W. said
You say – “This could stem back to lingering personal problems – as it’s still your own brain in there.”
Very true – you wake up with yourself everyday – no escaping that fact. My brother has a saying that goes like – “It sucks to be you”. Probably not original but I laughed when I first heard it.
torbjornrive said
I use “sux to be you” when someone bails off their bike onto their face when they were drunk and it was their fault.
I also use it when they’re in their seventh year at university and changing their major for the third time.
Either way, you’re right. It’s a great thing to say.
jessimonster said
…and then, the sensation that her heart was tearing open…”It would come in waves,” she recalled. “I found myself doing Lamaze-type breathing as the pain came on.”
Yet, “it was a joyful, ecstatic thing at the same time, like the joy of being alive,” … “There was this sense of relief and joy and ecstasy when my heart was opened.”
That sounds like what it was like to have a baby without pain meds. Hmmmm ….
torbjornrive said
re Having a baby…I would imagine, is that what Lamaze breathing is all about?
My own experiences with Mush have never been ‘painful’ per se, but at times frightening, yes – but that’s part of the trip, that and busting through the waves to have the time of your life!