Proteus
09-22-2003, 03:53 PM
Hi BOTHers! Lately, it seems, we've had lots of questions boiling down to "should i take this or that psychedelic compound?" or, to put it in the terms of a notable thread "where should i begin?" Along the way, there have been a some pretty urgent and psychologically complex questions raised about the therapeutic uses of such compounds.
Michael Heaney's and Magnus Gray's recent queries about the therapeutic value of pyschoactive compounds got me to thinking that we might put our collective heads together and create a couple of general statements for the benefit of visitors and new members.
Just shooting from the hip here, but it seems that the advice we've been giving folks to the should i/shouldn't i question (and its variants) runs something like this:
1) Know thyself. All answers to the question of whether you "should" take any psychoactive compound (including legal ones) are necessarily individual. Only you are in a position to determine how you might respond to the neurochemical and affective changes that taking any psychedelic compound could engender. Only you know how you're likely to respond to an experience that might quite literally cause you to forget that "you" exist--or that might ultimately demolish all the tidy answers you've spent your life formulating about life, the universe, and everything. Only you are in a position to determine with is right for you to do. If you don't know yourself well enough to know whether or not you should explore entheogens, maybe you should wait a while.
2) Be Prepared. Before taking any psychoactive compound, READ. Conduct a thorough web search, visit your library or amazon.com, and visit on-line discussion fora until you thoroughly understand the neurochemical and affective tendencies of the compound you're investigating. Look at trip reports. Your own experience will be different, but you should have an idea of what kinds of experiences you're likely to have.
Then, ask yourself what you hope to accomplish by taking a psychedelic substance. Powerful psychoactive compounds are NOT party drugs; they don't always make you feel good; you might not always like what you discover about yourself. Salvia, ayahuasca, 3-4 oz of psylicibin mushrooms, iboga, and many synthetic drugs can so thoroughly alter your perceptions and impair your motor coordination that a party atmosphere might only annoy you--or terrify you. But, if you are curious, or determined to explore the nature of the mind, or are a spiritual seeker, psychoactives might prove useful.
3) Set and Setting. There's plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that choosing the right place and time--and having the right attitude--are important components of any trip. Your reading should have told you approximately how long the trip you're contemplating will last and how functional you might or might not be. Your reading should also have told you whether or not darkness might enhance your experience. Plan accordingly--wait until dark, unplug your phone, minimize the electronic distractions, and get as comfortable as possible in a favorite spot. Some trips are enhanced by music; find out before you go "traveling" what experienced psychonauts consider an ideal setting and do some experimenting. With many substances, it's desirable to allow for a quiet day after your trip so you can process your experience and recover from any possible lingering physical effects.
4) Be real. Everyone feels nervous before taking a mind-expanding substance, but those battling depression, feeling suicidal, or who are prone to panic attacks should exercise particular caution. Entheogens are ambivalent tools. While many have found in them worlds of delight and profound and positive effects on their thinking and behavior, they are not cure-alls. These substances could very easily change your life for the better--but they could just as easily reveal hidden cracks in your psyche or provide you with that last nudge over the edge. If you are taking prescription medications for mental illness or are in therapy, you should be extremely careful about using psychedelics. Ideally, those interested in the potential therapuetic benefits of psychedelics should consult a licensed professional.
Geez! Sorry to run on so long. But what do folks think? Would an FAQ make sense?
Michael Heaney's and Magnus Gray's recent queries about the therapeutic value of pyschoactive compounds got me to thinking that we might put our collective heads together and create a couple of general statements for the benefit of visitors and new members.
Just shooting from the hip here, but it seems that the advice we've been giving folks to the should i/shouldn't i question (and its variants) runs something like this:
1) Know thyself. All answers to the question of whether you "should" take any psychoactive compound (including legal ones) are necessarily individual. Only you are in a position to determine how you might respond to the neurochemical and affective changes that taking any psychedelic compound could engender. Only you know how you're likely to respond to an experience that might quite literally cause you to forget that "you" exist--or that might ultimately demolish all the tidy answers you've spent your life formulating about life, the universe, and everything. Only you are in a position to determine with is right for you to do. If you don't know yourself well enough to know whether or not you should explore entheogens, maybe you should wait a while.
2) Be Prepared. Before taking any psychoactive compound, READ. Conduct a thorough web search, visit your library or amazon.com, and visit on-line discussion fora until you thoroughly understand the neurochemical and affective tendencies of the compound you're investigating. Look at trip reports. Your own experience will be different, but you should have an idea of what kinds of experiences you're likely to have.
Then, ask yourself what you hope to accomplish by taking a psychedelic substance. Powerful psychoactive compounds are NOT party drugs; they don't always make you feel good; you might not always like what you discover about yourself. Salvia, ayahuasca, 3-4 oz of psylicibin mushrooms, iboga, and many synthetic drugs can so thoroughly alter your perceptions and impair your motor coordination that a party atmosphere might only annoy you--or terrify you. But, if you are curious, or determined to explore the nature of the mind, or are a spiritual seeker, psychoactives might prove useful.
3) Set and Setting. There's plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that choosing the right place and time--and having the right attitude--are important components of any trip. Your reading should have told you approximately how long the trip you're contemplating will last and how functional you might or might not be. Your reading should also have told you whether or not darkness might enhance your experience. Plan accordingly--wait until dark, unplug your phone, minimize the electronic distractions, and get as comfortable as possible in a favorite spot. Some trips are enhanced by music; find out before you go "traveling" what experienced psychonauts consider an ideal setting and do some experimenting. With many substances, it's desirable to allow for a quiet day after your trip so you can process your experience and recover from any possible lingering physical effects.
4) Be real. Everyone feels nervous before taking a mind-expanding substance, but those battling depression, feeling suicidal, or who are prone to panic attacks should exercise particular caution. Entheogens are ambivalent tools. While many have found in them worlds of delight and profound and positive effects on their thinking and behavior, they are not cure-alls. These substances could very easily change your life for the better--but they could just as easily reveal hidden cracks in your psyche or provide you with that last nudge over the edge. If you are taking prescription medications for mental illness or are in therapy, you should be extremely careful about using psychedelics. Ideally, those interested in the potential therapuetic benefits of psychedelics should consult a licensed professional.
Geez! Sorry to run on so long. But what do folks think? Would an FAQ make sense?