Our Risk-Averse Culture
What is with Americans these days? Back when I was a teenager, we went out to the woods to pick them, we figured "a handful" was about the right dosage, and we didn't get stoned in a lab, for God's sake.
The psychedelic drug in magic mushrooms may have lasting medical and spiritual benefits, according to new research from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
The mushroom-derived hallucinogen, called psilocybin, is known to trigger transformative spiritual states, but at high doses it can also result in "bad trips" marked by terror and panic. The trick is to get the dose just right, which the Johns Hopkins researchers report having accomplished. ...
Each participant was accompanied by two other research-team members: a "monitor" and an "assistant monitor," who both had previous experience with people on psychedelic drugs and were empathetic and supportive. Before the drug sessions, the volunteers became acquainted enough with their team so that they felt familiar and safe. Although the experiments took place in the Hopkins hospital complex in order to ensure prompt medical attention in the event that it was needed, it never was.
I am an American, damn it. Since when do I need a "supportive assistant monitor" to trip? You do that in the forest, man. With your friends. Obamacare delenda est.
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May '11
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
No doubt federally funded study.
Shovel ready?
Edited on October 17, 2011 at 6:43pmJun '10
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
Ah! West Hawk Lake, a dime bag, and thou.
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
You're missing the worst part: they all had to sign a release form. That's where the hippie movement ends: with a disclaimer of liability form.
Here's a question: as marijuana laws get looser and looser everywhere -- and it's basically legal here in Venice Beach, where I live -- how many months away is the first lawsuit from a "patient" against a marijuana dispensary?
Sep '10
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
Its been 30 years and I only just now experience terror and panic as I began to think my 19 year old daugther might do the same...call my lawyer - I can't remember his number, he is probably the guy I got them from in college, uh what was I going to post next, hey the sun just came out, cool.
Feb '11
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
Before it became known as a recreational drug, LSD was the object of many scientific studies. I read one report from a drug company about the effect of the drug on the symmetry of the webs woven by dosed spiders. (How they figured the dosage is beyond me.) Turns out the webs were more symmetrical, perhaps as a result of heightened concentration.
Of course the iconic turning point occurred when grad student Ken Kesey volunteered for some of these sorts of studies. There's a great set piece in The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, with Kesey lying down, submitting to basic mental acuity tests from some guy with a clipboard, all the while conducting, as I recall, epic imaginary battles on the room's ceiling, which had been transformed into a vast desert. The rest is history. And so, for a time, was scientific study of LSD
And say what you will about Kesey (I'm sure Ricocheteers will have much to say,) he was not a risk-averse kind of guy.
Edited on October 17, 2011 at 8:01pmAug '10
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
Having been on a few mushroom-foraging adventures myself (just for the edible ones, I'm afraid, not the fun ones), it's my impression that the average youth today simply hasn't had enough everyday contact with the natural world to be any good at distinguishing desirable mushrooms from the ones that just plain make you sick.
Lacking such experience himself, the average youth is also less likely to trust anyone else's "non-expert" judgment when it comes to mushrooms. I still fondly remember the look of panic on the face of a hipster boyfriend of mine when he realized I had just fed him mushrooms I had picked myself. Oh it was delicious! (The mushrooms were pretty good, too.)
(Random fungal fact: Did you know that many "poisonous" mushrooms aren't poisonous, strictly speaking, but instead allergenic to large portion of the population?)
Dec '10
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
Since I'm amongst friends, this seems like a good time to share a quick anecdote that informs my total rejection of everything having to do with the War on Drugs.
In my early twenties I became metaphysically certain I had a serious drinking problem. While using LSD. It took a while for my actions to catch up with this obvious fact. But as of last August I've been sober for seven years (no booze or drugs) and I am reasonably certain I have LSD, in part, to thank for it.
I do not make a habit of sharing this little tidbit when I meet with my fellow drunks.
This is to say: 1) Basic research is something in which the government should be involved, and 2) The properties of hallucinogenic drugs absolutely are a valid area of research.
LSD also helped cure Timothy Leary of his alcoholism. Alas, things when off the rails in other ways for him. Although, in the end, he was pretty well-regarded by all the folks who knew him, including Gordon Liddy.
Aug '10
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
Transformative spiritual states? When you achieve satori, it makes you feel a certain way. When you take psychedelics, it makes you feel the same way--but you don't actually achieve satori. When you come down, you're likely to forget all the blazing insights you discovered, because you didn't actually have any insights: you just felt the feelings that would accompany such insights were they real. (Yes, I'm speaking from experience.)
It was Timothy Leary's burden that he wasn't clever enough to figure this out.
Jul '10
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
And the lawyers and stoners shall turn and devour one another. I can't wait!
Aug '10
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
KarlUB:
This is to say: 1) Basic research is something in which the government should be involved, and 2) The properties of hallucinogenic drugs absolutely are a valid area of research.
I still harbor some nagging misgivings about government involvement in even basic research. But the properties of hallucinogens are indeed a valid research area.
As Karl points out, just because a drug can be used to "have fun" doesn't mean it lacks therapeutic benefits. As anyone who has responsibly used narcotics for pain-control at some point knows.
Dec '10
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
You're just saying that you nominated your friends to be your supportive assistant monitors, not that you didn't need any.
Sep '10
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
Boy, some days I just love Ricochet even more than usual...
Edited on October 18, 2011 at 12:48amRe: Our Risk-Averse Culture
Paul DeRocco: Transformative spiritual states? When you achieve satori, it makes you feel a certain way. When you take psychedelics, it makes you feel the same way--but you don't actually achieve satori. When you come down, you're likely to forget all the blazing insights you discovered, because you didn't actually have any insights: you just felt the feelings that would accompany such insights were they real. (Yes, I'm speaking from experience.)
It was Timothy Leary's burden that he wasn't clever enough to figure this out. · Oct 17 at 1:33pm
Just curious--have you achieved satori?
Dec '10
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
Dealing with addiction in my immediate family, of which the use of mushrooms was a part, I am uncomfortable with the cavalier and apparently widespread use of psychedelics among my ricochet cohorts. I have never been a part of the drug culture but always told myself that just because people are curious and experiment does not make them "bad". I still believe this but fear addiction may follow for some and you may not know who you are until it is too late.
Aug '10
Re: Our Risk-Averse Culture
No, but I swear I felt like I did. Several times. Including once after the est training.