Psychedelics as healing agents

[wilson]

I know most of you guys who have taken these kinds of drugs would have done so for recreational purposes, but I'd like to get some opinions from people who understand their effects as to their possible benefits to mental health, mainly concerning depression and complexes.

I ask because the help I've received in the past from counseling and hypnotherapy didn't do a whole lot, but it was due to my approach rather than theirs. I've begun thinking that since psychedelics provide a temporary shift of consciousness which can lead to new perspectives, they could possibly be a more effective way of overcoming this stuff than the more traditional techniques. The only drug I'm fairly familiar myself with is weed really, so would be good to hear the thoughts of people more up on this topic than myself

[Phigure]

the times ive taken shrooms have been some of the most profound experiences of my life (as well as extremely fun when i did them for recreational reasons). after my first time, the realizations and revelations i had genuinely improved my life... made me a more tolerant, accepting, and empathetic person and a bit less of a bitter asshole. it can be harsh though if you take a heavy dose...

weed does the same thing, but is a bit less powerful in that regard. but a lot more gentle, which is really nice. can't really have a bad trip in the same way as shrooms

[wormcode]

At the end of the day, no matter what our society has decided to label them psychedelics are entheogens and have been used for thousands of years for many purposes including healing.

I find it really weird people both in and out of the scientific and medical fields are shocked when they "discover" positive results in a healing context. It stems from this arrogant mentality that "no ancient society has ever been as advanced or as smart as us!", when in reality, it has been more advanced before, just in different ways as they took different routes and made different decisions.

It's known as ''psychedelic therapy" now, and of course is extremely promising. The problem is getting permission to conduct trials is very hard, and sometimes next to impossible with certain substances. Mushrooms, Ibogaine, DMT, Cannabis, Mescaline and more are all extremely useful medicinally when used right. The trials that have been allowed have been highly successful. Another problem is pharmaceutical companies would rather extract, separate and modify natural (free) substances and chemicals in order to put them into a form that is more marketable and profitable. They do this under the guise of making it "safer", but safety with this stuff is not about the plants/mushrooms themselves, rather the context in which they are used.

Certain synthetics are also of course promising (LSD, MDA...), but it's mostly because they are chemical cousins of already existing natural substances.


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http://www.time.com/time/health/article ... 87,00.html
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[pikeymobile]

MAPS and the John Hopkins university have done a fair few studies in to psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. John Hopkins have focused more on lsd and psilocybin in palliative care, MAPS are focusing more on on mdma-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. Just bounce around on google scholar or www.maps.org to find full pdf texts of some wonderful studies in this area. These two organisations are some of the very few that have full legal permission to perform these studies.

[Kochari]

Psychedelics, in my experience tend to teach you, not necessarily heal you. I've learnt a lot from trips, especially LSD, but I would def. do lot of research first, and know what it is you want from your trip.
MDMA in combination with a few good friends, some nice music, a cup of tea and some blankets...Then you will find healing, believe me.
Good luck brother.

[jameshk]

Psychedelics, in my experience tend to teach you, not necessarily heal you. I've learnt a lot from trips, especially LSD, but I would def. do lot of research first, and know what it is you want from your trip.
MDMA in combination with a few good friends, some nice music, a cup of tea and some blankets...Then you will find healing, believe me.
Good luck brother.

I fixed a lot of problems with my mindstate at that current time having an incredible journey with this man.

I had no idea my direction in life, what i was doing with current relationships at the time. Just dosing up and entering the woods and having a laugh really helped me think things through. Make sure you know what to expect, and who your gona be with, and you'll be fine

[test_recordings]

MAPS and the John Hopkins university have done a fair few studies in to psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. John Hopkins have focused more on lsd and psilocybin in palliative care, MAPS are focusing more on on mdma-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. Just bounce around on google scholar or http://www.maps.org to find full pdf texts of some wonderful studies in this area. These two organisations are some of the very few that have full legal permission to perform these studies.

There was also a lot of research done in the '60s using LSD as an adjunct to psychotherapy, check out Stanislav Grof as a well-documented example of such a researcher (he is definitely featured on the MAPS website).

Native American (north and south) shamans also use a lot of psychedelics in their healing rituals which you might find interesting. In fact, it seems a hell of a lot of traditional cultures use psychedelic drugs so check out anthropological research as much as medical trials and lab research.

Personally, I think mushrooms, MDMA and LSD have actually made me cleverer and they definitely let me cleanse my mind... I always feel better the day after doing them, too.

[d-T-r]

trailer

full documentary

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A lot of healing work to be done with Ayahuasca. It's been said to have anti-malarial properties, naturally occurring anti-depressant properties, uses for treating addictions and a whole host of other things...Not to mention it's inherent very real connection to a very ancient and earthy 'spirit' world.

You don't even have to combine any of the d-m-t containing admixtures for the healing benefits either if you don't fancy having an overwhelming experience to begin with. The Caapi -vine on it's own can be a very useful tool in physically cleansing the inner body as well bringing sub-concious areas of your mind to the fore front for the clarity needed to begin fully self healing.

Definitely one to research thoroughly before even considering trying, for safety reasons and to know what you're getting yourself into. Powerful medicine.







It's not for everyone, but thats ok.The path of healing has no set route so you don't always 100% need X to achieve Y.

People tend to be drawn to the medicines they need.

[noam]

whoa... you feel BETTER?!

wow...

[noam]

People tend to be drawn to the medicines they need.

i agree

[Laszlo]

I have never done any psychedelics before but am looking to get some philosophers stones off the net and give it a bash.
Can I do it by myself or do I need a sitter?
Anyone got any website recommendations?

[Electric_Head]

you can do them on your own, just have the right mindset
and remember, it is just a chemical acting on your brain's receptors
you won`t die

personally I prefer fresh mushrooms to stones

[Laszlo]

personally I prefer fresh mushrooms to stones

Yeeeeah, but shrooms are illegal where I live and I live in a city.
Any recommendations for first dose?

[Electric_Head]

stones or shrooms?
I`d say as a first dose, rather snack through the night
you`ll get very high but with less of the come-on angst

[Laszlo]

Stones/truffles.
Cool, thanks for the info.

[Electric_Head]

Stones/truffles.
Cool, thanks for the info.

sorry I got that you were discussing stones in general I just wasn`t sure when you asked how much if you were referring to fresh mush or stones.
Because dosage differs.

[Laszlo]

Er, yeah, i'm 100% new to this. The website i'm looking at says 5-9 gs for a 'normal' trip, I suppose what i'm asking is what's good for a fist time/mystical experience/can one take very small amounts and still go about there day.... Maybe I should be looking on blue light but I just thought some of you lot might be able to offer some insight.

[Electric_Head]

I`m busy giving you the info dude.
I`ve taken many a mushroom

5-9 g is normal, vivid colours, giggling, etc.
take it through the day and you can carry on but you`ll notice your complexion changes.
If you want a mystical, trip.
Take 5-9 g at once.
Fresh mushrooms you can take anywhere from 2g to 5 g to be smeared all over the place

When I`m DJing I`ll take maybe 1g and then take a further 4g through the 2 hours.
If I`m looking to get very high it can go from taking 5 at once and then eating 5 more as the hour passes.
I`ve taken 10g dry and 2g fresh.
The effects can differ.
Personally I`d say for a first time if it`s at night then go all in.
If it`s during the day then I`d take small amounts over the course of a few hours.
so maybe take 3-4g and then bits after that.

just remember it`s not going to hurt you
so many folks that trip hard forget the basics of being able to center yourself

[Laszlo]

smeared all over the place

OK, thanks for the info and yeah, i'm well versed in centering myself during stressful situations so I can't see that being a problem.

[Kochari]

Psychedelics, in my experience tend to teach you, not necessarily heal you. I've learnt a lot from trips, especially LSD, but I would def. do lot of research first, and know what it is you want from your trip.
MDMA in combination with a few good friends, some nice music, a cup of tea and some blankets...Then you will find healing, believe me.
Good luck brother.

I fixed a lot of problems with my mindstate at that current time having an incredible journey with this man.