Apparently this wasn't specific enough. I want to know:
-If you use any illegal drug -If you use any prescription mind-altering medication -If you drink or if you smoke -How any of this affects you and your life
Bullet-point list, or near enough.
What I think is that it should be a rule on askhubski that if you ask an extremely vague question you contribute at least a hundred words of your own opinion in the post section. EDIT: that's a bit better. The more content, the more seriously your post will be taken, in general.
Since we're giving our opinion on things completely unrelated to the post, here's what I think: Your comment shows exactly the kind of Internet snark I wish I could find absent in a community. This is exactly the kind of unsolicited criticism I think few people would make in real life conversation. Even your edit has this kind of condescending superiority-complex tone. You give the impression that you care about the quality of conversations on Hubski, but I think this is exactly the kind of dogmatic authoritarian nonsense that drives people away from the discussion. Personally, I think vague questions sometimes provoke the most interesting responses, and I enjoy them on occasion. I think you make a valid point about the post, but I don't think your opinion on the matter is necessarily canon, and I think you might do well to reconsider your tone.
I avoid them, because I'm afraid of what they'll do to my mental state. I've worked hard to improve on my anxiety, depression, and overthinking. I'm finally in a good place, and I don't want to mess with that. Pot already makes me very anxious and paranoid, and I can't control myself with alcohol, so god knows what else may happen with other drugs.
Fuck yeah. Control is nice. I'm not a fan of losing it. Drugs have really altered some of my friends mental states for the worse. We're not even really friends any more at this point, it's gotten that bad. Never drugged it up, nor drank. I take a vitamin and an allergy pill and my inhaler and that's it in the drug department. No problems with people that do. Though, a side effect of smoking weed in Boulder seems to be never shutting the fuck up about weed.
[ It occurs to me that this might seem that I am advocating drug use, I really am not, people is people and some do drugs and some don't as long as you're not a jerk, you're okay in my book ] This is interesting to me because I am not always a fan of being always being in control. I have this outlook that part of being alive is accepting that our environment is part of us, we can not control it any more than we can change the fundamental properties of the universe. To me "letting go" of that control seems natural, although to be honest I haven't explored it as much as others. What about being in control all the time is appealing to you?
I don't necessarily see drug use a sign of being out of control either. They affect everyone differently though. I know one guy, someone I've known for years, who took a couple of shots of whiskey and suddenly became a monster. Angry, impulsive, ready to fight. When we hung out one night I ended up with 2 drug dealers a cocaine user and a prostitute in my apartment because he had invited them over from the street on the way over to my apartment. I could have called the cops, but I was literally too scared. These people were in my home. I haven't drank whisky with him since then, he's a much better person off the hooch. On the other hand, I know more than one person who graduated with degrees in physics and mathematics yet they were habitual drug users with completely normal lives from the outside. This just is reminding me of _refugee_'s quilt story: https://hubski.com/pub?id=198987Fuck yeah. Control is nice. I'm not a fan of losing it.
Pretty interesting interview with the first guy to synthesize methoxetamine (an analog of ketamine) I post it because he did the majority of work and abuse while pursuing a p.h.d. Also pretty interesting life story.
http://www.vice.com/read/interview-with-ketamine-chemist-704-v18n2 Also the only drug I've had a serious binge on (excluding weed/alcohol) ~45 days straight or so.
I'm going to find the time to write up a lengthy post in this thread. Drugs were a huge part of my life from 16 till Last april or so. I still use in moderation but not much like before. No brags, it's just a topics that had a big impact.
To be honest this was pointed more at alcohol than drug use. I can't say I know much about the latter, since I've never done it myself and don't regularly see people that do. It's appealing to me for a few reasons. I've always taken pride in my ability to be self-sufficient in a way. I feel disciplined and principled. I know people who don't have that control and their lack of it causes them to lash out and hurt other people. I don't want to be like that. Having these principles has gotten other students to try to get me to succumb to the peer pressure because it's a joke to them. That's a challenge that I intend to win. It can be frustrating though, because people take those principles as me not taking them seriously or judging them for drinking. I don't give no shiiiits, it's just not my thing. If you're that upset about it there's probably a deeper problem at hand.What about being in control all the time is appealing to you?
First off this
People need to get over themselves. I have friends that will sit at the bar and chat with me but not drink. The fact that this even comes up... well you hit the nail on the head.
Second off this: Has given me a serious moment of self reflection I need to chew on. Thank you. Even if it wasn't intended in such a way.If you're that upset about it there's probably a deeper problem at hand.
I know people who don't have that control and their lack of it causes them to lash out and hurt other people. I don't want to be like that.
I have nothing against drugs; I just wish I was in a good enough place to do them! I think if people want to do drugs they should be able to (within reasonable limits), and if people don't want to do drugs, hell I understand. That being said, I think moderation, with drugs or anything else, is key. Drugs can be great, but overindulgence is hardly ever a good thing. Which reminds me of a quote my (alcoholic) friend tells me, "Moderation in everything, including moderation!"
I have anxiety disorder and pot does the same to me. I know how to handle it now but I really don't find much pleasure in it so I'll do it maybe a couple times a year if it's being passed around. I do drink but I have to be careful not to fall into self medicating.
I like drinking a lot more than pot. As I mentioned before, pot just makes me anxious and paranoid. Alcohol, on the other hand, makes me feel relaxed and more social, which I like very much. I never feel like I'm self-medicating though, I would only drink on weekend nights when I was going out. I just have trouble controlling how much I drink.
Hey good job! In a society which demonizes people with disorders as being weird or lazy you've recognized that you worked hard to help yourself overcome it. I think that's something to be really proud of. I've worked hard to improve on my anxiety, depression, and overthinking. I'm finally in a good place, and I don't want to mess with that.
I smoked pot when I was 18-20 (I'm almost 23 now). I liked it at first, but as I went along it became less and less enjoyable, and more and more paranoia and anxiety inducing. Not that I smoked that often anyways, only when I was offered it. I think if you're in a good mental state, pot is a great drug. That 18-20 period coincided with my anxiety etc kicking into high gear. So maybe someday, when I'm quite certain I'm happy and in a sound place, I'll occasionally indulge. For now, I don't see that day coming any time soon. Two side notes: 1. I'm extremely afraid to try LSD (or whatever drug(s) you need to be in a good mental place to enjoy), because I know I will have a bad trip. 2. I kick ass at beer pong when I eat weed brownies. I can barely walk, but hot damn I can sink cup after cup like it's no one's business. As for alcohol, that's a whole other issue. Suffice it to say, my family history and past drinking binges have convinced me drinking is just not a healthy choice for myself. The potential bad consequences far outweigh any benefits I may gain from it.
I have several monkeys on my back. They bring me great joy and terrible sorrow. With the power comes the responsibility. Unchecked addictions will destroy you. The fine line is the path I've chosen. I'm okay with that.
Sometimes I push it too far. When I find myself using just to fight withdrawal I know it's time to take a break. This is easier said then done. Withdrawal is a hell I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. The sad thing is you have to experience your limits to know what they are. Many people (myself included) really screw themselves up and some don't make it back at all. I don't think drugs and alcohol are cool. I just don't know many other ways to bring peace to mind and soul.
I saw a bumper sticker that said "Pro Choice..... For everything." -I'm of this mindset. Asking what you think of drugs is sort of like asking what you think of food. Some of it's great, some is awful and in excess it's all awful. As for me, I could stand to drink less.
I guess what I meant was that to me it's like asking that, not to the govt. but yeah, it should all be legal to consume, perhaps illegal to create/manufacture certain things though. I say tax the shit out of it all and make it widely available to those that desire them.
It feels like this has been a surprisingly taboo topic on Hubski, though I get why some people would feel uncomfortable saying that they do/have done more than might be expected of them. Others may be proactively avoiding them for personal reasons. For me though, I give drugs a 9/10, minus 1 because I shouldn't be doing them till my brain is done developing, and that doesn't make it any less fun. Disappointed thumbs down to molly though, felt pretty unnecessary to me. Acid was ohmygod incredible, straightened me right out for sure. edit: I do not have an interest in cocaine, meth, heroin, etc. and will not try them. Psychedelics are my cup of tea. I'd also like to challenge Hubski's hesitation on this subject.. I personally don't see a reason to be hiding any bad side of myself to you guys. Edit: Oh and fuck alcohol.
I've learned more about drugs on Hubski than I have in my own college. All I've learned about it here is that Black guys (there are dozens of us! Dozens!) buy low and sell REALLY high and it works out. Got a PM from a Black Boulder Redditor, and I quote: "Straight up paid half my tuition, bruh." Rich college kids will pay anything for the ganja. I wouldn't even know where to get anything. I enjoy simulating a conversation with a drug dealer, though. "Yes, hello fellow smoker! I'd like three marijuanees, please. No more than that, though. I heard someone had 2 marijuanees, and he died." "Who the hell are you?" "Just a fellow inhaler of the puff puff, like you! So, do you take credit?" "Get away from me, man." "Alright, I'll just text you my address, you can just mail it!" A dispensary opened down the street from our Old Chicago... Shit is surreal. Slightly related, I have a playlist called "Songs About Weed Even Though I've Never Smoked in My LIFE" and it's clocking in at 2 1/4 hours at this point.
I once sold someone a baggie of catnip for $100. He was sure I was a dealer, because all guys with long hair are dealers, and couldn't be convinced otherwise. I sold him the catnip so he would stop pleading with me to stop holding out on him.Rich college kids will pay anything for the ganja.
Damn you are so cold. Once I was sold brick weed for headies price, never went back again. Stone cold. I ain't smokin' no mids, I aint smokin no bricks. Nowadays I wouldn't even know where one could get mids, which is interesting. Terrible for smoking but great for cooking.
Oh, honey. You need more bad sides. ;) Just kidding, really. I try and be open and up front with Hubski a lot but it's a far cry from "everything" and I am sure it will stay that way. There are some things I don't want sympathy for, and some things I don't see a point in bringing up. I've had lots of shitty life experiences and I'm not keen to get in arguments with people about, say, whether they actually are exampkes of systemic issues, or "if I had just handled that better," or so on. Plus, if it so happens that once in a while I'm capable of consuming at least half a month's supply of prescription medication in 2-3 days, like, that's my own bidnis.. I personally don't see a reason to be hiding any bad side of myself to you guys.
You tried acid? Last time we had a drug related thread and I seem to remember you saying you'd like to try it someday. Recent experience ;) ? I also kinda disagree that drugs are a taboo topic on here. I feel like we've had many discussions with people being very open about what they tried. Next time a friend offers me some drugs, I'm gonna go for it. I kinda broke through this stupid barrier I had in my head about "hard drugs". I was mainly like BrainBurner, just terrified about the effect a drug would have on me and the whole loss of control but I got over that not long ago. I'm not gonna seek out some drugs but next time somebody offers, the answer is yes. I honestly wish I passed that point before this summer. I had extremely knowledgeable people offer me some crazy cool drugs and I said no. I was not ready at the time but now kinda wish I was. Time to go back traveling :P
Please make sure you're in an environment, in a state of mind, and with company that are all as positive as can be! Smoking weed with your closest mates to the strumming of a guitar is a very different experience from smoking weed at a party to Drake. By making sure you're in a good situation beforehand, you will never have any anxiety or a need to worry while you're actually on it, and it really makes a difference. That said, it's not for everyone and every drug affects every person differently. Acid was last week for me during holiday break. I did it alone in the morning and then after my first and second major peak I went outside to some refreshing winter air and met some friends who kept me company. We shared lots of hysterical laughter at my epic state of being. I did have frightening intervals of time that I learned were the "bad trip" bits but they weren't so bad in fact, and I enjoyed the fact that I experienced what they were. I'm really so happy that I tried LSD and I have no regrets. Slept like a baby that night as well. If you're ever back around NYC I'd be more than happy to treat you to some red velvet cupcakes my friend bakes with weed in them! :D It's good stuff.
Yeah I learned the thing about good company in High School when smoking weed. I was hanging out with the older kids and I alway felt judged. I guess it was the whole high school drug experience that's all about being cool and not about the experience itself. Then these people went on to harder stuff and since I already didn't feel 100% smoking weed with them, I just slowly backed away from that crowd. I'm glad I did because I now realize I was a bit too young for that shit (we have a strange system, I graduated high school at 15) . The thing is, I was in that super positive and supportive environment this summer twice! I don't necessarily regret not going the drugs that were offered to me because we still smoked lots of pot and it was fun, but I just wish I could teleport back there for a weekend. They were really trusworthy people i felt I could rely on like 30 mins after met them. A guy with this book on his coffee table and 3 psychoactive plant in his room (salvia and some other stuff) surely knows how to have a smooth trip. He said he initiated a bunch of people. I don't think I'll be back to NYC until this summer that's for sure but going on a little trip to Burlington for a Gogol Bordello concert in two months. Anybody from Burlington on here?
https://hubski.com/tag?id=psychedelics https://hubski.com/tag?id=drugs And many many more. Sometimes the topic of drugs come up on unrelated threads so they are a bit harder to track down but I feel like people here are surprisingly open about drugs and a great deal of people are knowledgable about it all. Ayahuasca has been discussed lots but that's cause it's pretty special drug. My general impression is that people here are more drawn to psychedelics (or maybe it's just more acceptable to say you like shrooms than to say you've been digging methamphetamines lately? )
It's possible to trace back handles to RL identities for a fair number of active Hubski commenters, myself included. I've done a fair selection of drugs but mostly don't find them that worthwhile, although generally somewhat fun. Hard not to feel the hard drugs/hallucinogens are a waste of time though. I consider weed harmless. I consider certain prescription drugs incredibly harmful. I've done too much of certain drugs and had issues living a successful life afterwards for a while. But you know, sometimes in college we adapt unhealthy coping systems. Sometimes I still have to work at that. Sometimes I still overindulge/use drugs to detach from reality into a space of general peace and calm. I don't think it's a good thing, but I'm by all indications extremely functional, so besides killing myself early by wearing out my heart or blood pressure or whatever, I don't consider it the most pressing or unhealthy thing in my life to correct right now. What is really that interesting about drugs to talk about? Yeah, I've done them, or no, I haven't. They were great or no they weren't. Then trade stories about hallucinations you saw, which frankly, mostly not interesting. Also, why brag about drug use. It's not a brag-worthy topic. I'm not going to think anyone is cool for overindulging in Molly or whatever over the weekend. I've taken a LOT of prescription ADHD medicine at once back in college, the fact that I was able to swallow a bunch of pills and not kill myself isn't that impressive or cool.
I think the interesting thing about drugs is not the event that takes place, but rather how drugs fit into our lives. I mean I find the fact that cats love catnip and that big horned sheep eat lichen almost just as interesting. Part of it is the fact that these chemicals offer something personal to everyone for good or for bad. But if I have to hear about the art student who did too much acid and thought he was a bird for the rest of his life one more time I'll pop a vein.
Bout what exactly? I do have a hilariously embarrassing video I have to render onto YouTube filmed immediately after my first peak on LSD. I'm only comfortable sharing it because I've just burned my last bowl until March as per my new years resolution– the strain was "galactic clitoris" by the way, which turned out to be spot-on.
For about a year I smoked weed with a deliberate month between each sesh. Only after dangerously unhealthy and crippling stress from school–coupled with feelings of anxiety about school that I hadn't gotten before– within the last month I've smoked around once a week. Never more than three times a week. Many of my friends are daily users and many of them are zombies at this point– that's their irresponsibilty. Others, from the same group of friends, are incredibly motivated and interesting people who use weed as an effective tool, instead of as a pacifier from life or an excuse to act stupidly. I know it can go wrong, and I know it can hurt me, but I'm ignorantly ignoring those consequences for incredible experiences that I would not have had ever in my life otherwise. To me, it's worth it, and I feel that I am responsible when I'm actually using it. But: "Drugs are so good, they'll ruin your life." Anyway, molly was fun but the comedown was crap, and I felt if I were to take it again in the near future I might develop some sort of addiction. It was a scary thought that I took as a fair warning to stay away. It was at a rave, coupled with my first-ever pot brownie. I felt that I was the most confident radiant exploding ball of energy in the room, confident especially with girls, but the whole time I knew it wasn't the real me and it was temporary, and it just wasn't worth it. I didn't have a plan for the video and just filmed it to be able to play back to myself when I was sober, in case I didn't remember anything. It is essentially just me, desperately trying to stay on topic and explain what I just experienced.
I just heard Amy Pohler talking about taking ecstasy (which I gather is a form of molly or the other way around). She also talks about the comedown. Do you feel like the experience of molly helped you understand what it feels like to be confident better? Also, you are still in high school right? I am of the opinion that people should just wait until they are out of college to do this stuff. It just seems reasonable I guess?Anyway, molly was fun but the comedown was crap, and I felt if I were to take it again in the near future I might develop some sort of addiction. It was a scary thought that I took as a fair warning to stay away. It was at a rave, coupled with my first-ever pot brownie. I felt that I was the most confident radiant exploding ball of energy in the room, confident especially with girls, but the whole time I knew it wasn't the real me and it was temporary, and it just wasn't worth it.
Ha. I think college is the best time to do those things. Drugs are everywhere and cheap. Consequences are lower than in real life where you can lose a job or not be offered one due to a failed piss test. It's more of the norm of the culture there as opposed to after college where it's frowned upon. I mean, if you want to be serious about academics, then only do drugs over summer vacation and at music festivals or whatnot. But I'll tell ya, ain't nobody can find drugs like somebody in college (who's not on a dry campus).
Yes you're absolutely right. That's also easier to say when you're not in high school. Oh well. edit: oops! I thought you meant in college. I think college is the best time, and that people should ideally wait after high school at the least. I think it helped me experience what is possible at extreme levels of confidence. but it didn't make me more confident by any means in the long run. I didn't feel like I was in control during my experience, in the same way that I feel when drunk. I'm just kinda spinning around while enjoying the ride, but not in the front seat experiencing things and learning. More of a "BLAM HERE'S A THING! ok hope you enjoyed that now here's sinking depression for 6 hours...."People should just wait until they are out of college to do this stuff. It just seems reasonable I guess?
Do you feel like the experience of molly helped you understand what it feels like to be confident better?
I've done three drugs recreationally: Cannabis, Salvia, and MDMA. I enjoy Cannabis. During the second year of my undergrad I pretty much became a full-on stoner. It ended in tears but I don't hide the fact that they were amazing times. I still smoke now, but not nearly as much and never when I have other responsibilities. Salvia was fun. I had a crazy trip which I can't be bothered to type up on my tablet. I don't think I would take any more psychedelic drugs now. I've had such powerful expriences through meditation that I'm fearful of what such drugs might do to my mind. MDMA was a great time. The energy was unreal and not much could top the vibe. For some reason, I decided going to my 9am lecture the next day was something I had to do. I felt savage. I haven't done it since. In general, I think drugs can be an essential life experience. They can also be devastating. It's a balance that one has to be concious of. I personally researched all the drugs I took before I ingested them.
For recreation: I drink occasionally as many hubskiers do, whisky, beer mostly. I've smoked weed a couple times, and honestly would like to do it on a regular basis. Really compared to a lot of my friends I'm like Ward Cleaver. None of these things affect me significantly other than giving me small shifts in perspectives I would otherwise probably not have. For medicine: I take migraine medication unfortunately it's hit and miss and hard to get right if I have a sudden attack. I also take adderall for my ADHD which has improved my life by a significant margin, using therapy, coping mechanisms and medication my life is much more stable than it was even 3 years ago. I'd like to try: LSD seems like it'd be wild. I always loved the idea of being faced with my own ego and all of my walls being torn away. I think it'd be terrifying. Cocaine doesn't seem like much fun, if I were to do it I'd want to dress up like Patrick Bateman and pretend to be a stock guy. A lot of the "Downers" (aside from alcohol) don't really appeal to me. Drugs seem like they can be a wonderful experience if taken responsibly and if society is able to deal with the abuse correctly. It's also great not to take them though. People shouldn't feel pressured in anyway to try them.
Do I use drugs?
Yes. Not extremely frequently. Maybe, one substance once a month. No regulars as of lately.
No regular drinking/smoking either. I definitely think drugs should be used cautiously in general, and not everyone should try every substance. If you have any conditions which might be exacerbated by drug use, you should definitely abstain, as a rule. Drugs, any drug, in my opinion, are okay to use; so long as they are ENHANCING your life, not taking away from it, or becoming CENTRAL to it. I also always test the drugs I acquire prior to ingestion (test kits are like 20 bucks for marquis, mecke, mandeline, so why the hell not?) Drugs I have tried, in the order I have tried them, with my age of first trying them in parenthesis: Alcohol (16) (pretty basic starting point for most). This is the drug I've had the most unpleasant experiences with, which, I contend, is my fault, not the drug's, but still, I avoid this one if I want to feel altered. If I just want a light buzz, sure. Tobacco (16) (in the form of hookah/shisha) : pretty pleasant little head rush from smoking for a while, but pretty lame compared to Weed (17) : Smoking weed was immediately more appealing than either tobacco OR alcohol, but I have a gnarly tolerance (not from use; I mean I have to smoke loads even if I've taken a year off). Smoking "medical" quality tends to get me high for 1/2 an hour or so after I blast a bowl. Too much redosing. Edibles are cool though. Very nice, social drug for me. Usually no paranoia. MDMA (~18): Crazy fun first experience, gurning, the whole 9 yards. Rolled with my (then, to-be) girlfriend, and we had a blast. Euphoria, empathy, gurning, the whole 9 yards. Not a very strong urge for me to do this in public though, again, I prefer it in small groups of friends. 2C-B (19): Very cool and light first psychedelic. DOC (19) : Was trying to get LSD, got some DOC instead. Very speedy and fun high, not super interesting though, only tried it the once. 2-FMA and Adderall/Amphetamines (19) : Used a bit for my final semesters of college. Very functional drugs, with very little euphoria for me. I do see how if they had any more euphoria, this drug class (stimulants) might be "too good" though. MXE (19): My first dissociative. Very weird and variable for me. In low doses, like a “better” drunk feeling, in high doses, very weird and largely unpleasant. A definite melancholy. Shrooms (19): Very strong first trip (5g's). Knocked me on my ass, and while it was overall a positive experience, it was also my first time having any "negative" thoughts during a trip. These helped me to fix some thing about myself, I feel. LSD (the real stuff) (20): 5 tabs the first time, another very intense experience which left it as my favorite substance. Less stoney than shrooms, great length of the experience (unless you have something to do, then it's a drag to schedule). Mescaline (20) : I had the extracted alkaloids, dosed around 560mg, and had a very good time. Softer than LSD, but after this experience, I think it is tied for my favorite. 4-ACO-DMT (20): Very similar to shrooms, felt identical to me (and what limited research there is suggests it is just the same as mushrooms anyway), maybe a little "cleaner". Easier to dose than shrooms. 5-MEO-DMT (20): Termed the "power" to DMT's "Glory". I was very hesitant and cautious with this drug, and never got the full experience I don't think. Mostly insufflated, and I did not have a vaporizer pipe. Kratom (20): A very, very, mild and mellow substance. I hesitate to include it is was so mild. Ketamine (21): Interesting, more of a "sideways" compared to "ups" "downs" or "psychedelics", though definitely similar to MXE and LSD, I would say. Future use: AL-LAD AMT DiPT DOT (Aleph) DMT DXM GHB LSA LSZ The rest of Shulgin’s “magical half dozen:
2C-E 2C-T-2 2C-T-7 As I have said, I'm a fan of LSD and Mescaline the most so far. I've only tried LSD 3 times, and mescaline once. Most of the other drugs are once/twice. None are repeated frequently, ever. Strong stimulants (Meth, 4-MAR) or strong opiates (Heroin, Oxycodone, Fentanyl) scare me too much to try. I think they are definitely over-hyped in terms of danger/addictiveness (science backs this up), but I have no desire to "tempt fate" with these substances at this time. Substances which can be used safely, which enhance social situations or which put me in a novel mindstate are interesting, and recreational. I think they have broadened my thinking to a certain degree. After my initial interest in drugs, I wound up switching my major to neuroscience, I graduated with that degree in 2014. I did a small original research project involving ketamine as a treatment for depression in a rodent model as part of my graduation requirements.
And Damn, you like to go balls deep O.O And as somebody who is interested in psychedelic research it would be fun to talk about your project (I studied molecular medicine)Shrooms (19): Very strong first trip (5g's)
LSD (the real stuff) (20): 5 tabs the first time
Hey Cumol ,
For my university (the college of wooster) we were required to start an original research project, design it with help from a faculty advisor, then carry it out, and write it up. I had an interest in ketamine after reading a few articles suggesting that it had some antidepressant effects in small human studies. It is especially interesting for at least 3 reasons to my mind: 1. It has a very rapid onset, unlike traditional anti-depressants 2. In humans, it seems to have some serious longevity (1 dose, in a few studies, has led to people feeling significantly different for as long as a few weeks, some for over a month) 3. It seems (in humans) to be effective in patients who are resistant to traditional antidepressants. Now, there is one big negative that leaps out at me; it is a drug of abuse, so there is potential in an at risk population (ie. those who are depressed) for some serious complications, if they were asked to self administer. Now, we have quite a few small studies in humans, documenting that ketamine seems effective, and seems rather persistent after just a small dose. But in the papers I read through, it seems that you would be hard pressed to find anything so consistent in rodent models. Most studies in rodents dealt with serial doses, and those that dealt with acute doses had some very mixed results. I could dig out the paper if you are interested in this background. My study was trying to see if previous studies had failed because of using different models of depression in the rodents, or if using different models would produce similar effects as we observe in human models. This is important because, as you probably know, animal models allow many times more subjects, and ones we care less about, than does human testing. If we could find a model which nicely correlates depression and ketamine treatment in rodents with the results already seen in humans, we could do quite a bit more preliminary testing, and boulster the idea of using it in humans. Admittedly, this is not the most exciting project. Or, at least, not to the people I've talked to about it. Anyway. The study went something like this:
I used Wishart Rats (around 35 of them)
I had 3 "Model of Depression" groups: Control, Chronic Moderate Stress, and Learned Helplessness.
I had two Drug Conditions: Saline (control), and Ketamine.
I evaluated the depressive symptoms via the Forced Swim Test. Basically, you're putting the subject in a tub of water they cannot escape from, and you compare active behaviors like swimming and climbing vs. inactive behaviors (floating), then use the relative amount of each behavior to judge "depression behaviors". I am not sure who came up with this, but it is fairly well regarded now, since SSRI's/other established anti-depressants tend to increase active and decrease passive behaviors when administered. And I examined the effectiveness of the models at inducing depressive symptoms, and ketamine at treating the depressive symptoms. Basically, there were no results to speak of. When we compared rats in the behavioral control condition to the other two groups (LH and CMS), we did not observe a significant difference. Which was disappointing to me, but that's how research goes sometimes, I suppose. Anyway, I would have been curious to see some molecular measures of my study or a similar study (measuring BDNF perhaps?). I am curious to hear if you have any feedback on the study. Molecular medicine sounds like a tough-as-nails proposition. Is that the field you currently work in?
I actually find the study important. You have a question to answer and you find the best way to answer it. It also has clinical relevancy and establishing or reevaluating animal models is important work. You shouldn't have the feeling that you didn't do much. You did more than many medical doctorates that I know of :D I finished my masters in molecular medicine in april 2014. Its life sciences with a strong focus on biomedical research. Pretty interesting and fun :) I just started my PhD at an axon regenration lab. We investigate the molecular mechanisms of axonal regeneration by using the optic nerve as our model. While the work is interesting, I will not continue my PhD here. I have always been interested in psychedelic research and the molecular basis of psychedelics and other psychoactive substances. Therefore I am trying to read my way through literature and maybe find a lab here in europe that would fulfill my curiosity towards this area of research :) What are your plans? Whats coming next?
Thanks! Axon regeneration sounds interesting, I only know a small bit about that; if I'm remembering correctly, axons regenerate more easily in the PNS compared to the CNS. In the CNS scar tissue generally hinders the regeneration? And this is somewhat due to the neurons themselves, but also has to do with the environment they are operating in (ie. take a PNS neuron and put in in CNS conditions and it will regenerate more like a CNS neuron). That's my recollection without breaking out my cellular neuro book. Why are you using an optic nerve as a model, is it particularly suited for the research somehow? Psychedelic research is really interesting. I hope after some marijuana legalization in the U.S. that there is a subsequent movement for psychedelic usage in the medical field (and, eventually, some decriminalization of psychedelics for recreational use as well). MAPS is a very promising program, but rather limited by funding right now [ http://www.maps.org/ ] . I'm currently picking up some clinic hours and a few classes at a community college before I apply for a Physician's Assistant program. I've been encouraged a few times to try for an MD/PhD program, but I'm afraid I don't have the wherewithal for another 6+ years of school and training to become a doctor. And in a research aspect, while I found lab work interesting and generally rewarding, it is very draining. Thus far, I expect clinical work to be more my speed, and a PA program will have me in the workforce in ~3 years from today.
Your knowledge about axon regeneration is similar to mine when I started 2 months ago :) There are several differences. The scar tissue (glial scar) is the first. We have axon repellents in the CNS that we have to overcome, to do that we have to look for dis inhibitory effects when gathering pathways, which is also part of our work. Typically this is done by playing cells on myelin for example. Another problem we face is the growth comes of regenerating axons. Their dynamics in forming actin filaments differed in PNS vs CNS. This might be due to upstream signaling differences. Lack of specific proteins that are only expressed in PNS neurons. This brings me to the third difference, the regenerative capacity of CNS neurons is "lost" during development. This is due to blockage of regenerative signaling pathways. In the past 10 years a lot of studies have examined the pathways that change during development in neurons and got to some pathways that seems to play an import role like the PI3K->Akt->mTOR/GSK3 pathways which is the focus of our studies. The optic nerve is interesting because it's part of the CNS and it's easy to examine. Through performing a crush right behind the eye (beginning of the optic nerve) and subsequent excision of the whole nerve and staining the axons we can assess how well the axons regenerated after specific treatments. Funding is the main problem with psychedelic research. It is still a "taboo" subject and people still don't believe in those substances as medicine or good tools for research. Hopefully it will change with time... Research is indeed a draining work, specially when things do not turn out as you wanted. On the other side, you keep learning. It never gets boring :) I wish you the best of much with your plans. Applications sent yet?
Drugs. There are good ones and there are bad ones. This study by David Nutt and colleagues somes up which ones have low risks, and which ones you should not be touching: http://i.imgur.com/o5USu4J.gif As you can see, some of the ones you would have thought as "bad" are also very high on that list. Some surprises are Alcohol and Nicotine. It is not so surprising when you think about how many deaths smoking causes and how much problems alcohol brings with it. As for me, I like the ones on the bottom of the list. LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA and Cannabis. Cannabis is my replacement for Alcohol. Calling it a replacement is maybe not so accurate because I don't smoke as much as I used to drink. It "ruined" alcohol for me, which is a good thing! I usually smoke 1-3 joints on weekends. I enjoy smoking with my grandma and talking about the world, politics or watch documentaries about penguins. Additionally, music sounds and feels amazing while high. This is followed by excessive poi spinning. MDMA is that special drug I take with friends when I am celebrating life. Potentiates great mood and is amazing for communication. We usually take it at a friends house, surrounded by pillows, good music, some hookah and loads of talking and cuddling. Fun times. Should not be taken too often. I take it not more than 3 times a year with at least 1 month time in between. Psilocybin was my first introduction into psychedelics. I took my first dose of psychedelic truffles in amsterdam while visiting a friend in november 2013. An amazing experience. This was the first time I noticed what my brain is capable of doing. I was in awe and absolutely speechless about the beauty that I was seeing! LSD. This one was interesting. My first experience was in March last year. I can't actually describe it that well. I felt like a kid that is experiencing everything that he already knows for the first time again and it felt amazing. After this phase passed, very deep and complicated thoughts about the world I live in, my reality and my human connections (friends and family). So yeah, I enjoy some kinds of drugs, but see them all as tools to investigate what is going on in our brains. Note that the LSD and MDMA are always tested chemically if they are real and dosage is taken into account! Next on the list: 2C-B, 4-Aco-DMT, Mescaline and DMT
Everything you consume has an effect on your mind. The food you eat alters your blood glucose levels throughout the day, affecting cognition, not including any phytochemicals within the food that have a psychoactive effect. If you are dehydrated your cognition is affected, and can cause hallucinations. How much you exercise affects the levels of aggression hormones (Not just testosterone) in your body and blood. Meditation and deep prayer are proven to directly affect EEG, fMRI and other brain-metrics. Some gurus claim to be capable of reaching and maintaining psychedelic states by the force of thought alone. We are all on drugs.
That said, I am a firm believer in better living through chemistry. I have a chronic heart condition. I've been on beta blockers and calcium channel blockers since I was less than 6 months old, I only discontinued them because I now have a pacemaker/defibrillator, and the blockers were decreasing my energy levels, and I need all I can get. These drugs are proven to have effects on the brain, especially with long term use. I have had a rainbow of pain meds prescribed to me over the years, and can tell you that I completely understand why people get addicted to morphine, it feels GREAT, even if you are mid heart-attack. Since starting college I've consumed alcohol, THC in several different forms, as well as a few psychedelics. And let me tell you, alcohol is more dangerous than any other recreational chemical available today. Legally, I can walk down to the store, purchase a few big bottles of ethanol, chug them, and get behind the wheel of a car and kill whomever I bump into first. I can take that same ethanol, consume it with a handful of common prescription or over the counter drugs, and kill myself, with only a little mess, and a few minutes of absorption.
THC taught me that adults, or those in power, lie. They lie to accomplish specific goals, and further specific agendas that have nothing to do with the welfare of anything but a few wallets/bank accounts. This has affected my life drastically, because I assume silent complicity in this lie of anyone who does not make a point to state otherwise. LSD and psilocybin taught me a hell of a lot more, and a lot that was very personally valuable, but this isn't the space to share those lessons. I won't be doing LSD again anytime soon though. Alan Watts said, of psychedelic experience 'Once you get the message, hang up the phone.'
Can you elaborate on this some? Do you mean that the effects of the drug itself caused you to have this realization, or that understanding the drug and what it does to people made you realize this?THC taught me that adults, or those in power, lie. They lie to accomplish specific goals, and further specific agendas that have nothing to do with the welfare of anything but a few wallets/bank accounts.
I think he means that he finds pot way less dangerous than alcohol, yet alcohol is legal due to factors like the alcohol lobby and giant companies spending money on political campaigns etc, and pot is illegal and there's a lot of government propaganda about how pot will ruin your life, etc. You're incredibly more likely to kill or seriously injure someone drunk than stoned.
OK this is largely how I interpreted the response as well, but I wanted to make sure. I've dabbled in a handful of drugs, and pot is still a part of my life, but I wanted to understand this perspective. It sounds relatable to me.
Both. After trying it for the first time, combined with my previous academic knowledge of its pharmacology, the racist/capitalist reasons it was originally made illegal, and the politidal forces (Private prison lobby) that are fighting to keep it illegal, I realized the latter. Subjectively, when under the influence, there are a lot of lessons learned.
I understand. I would describe my experiences similarly. I wanted to say that, while I think both are true, I've learned more simply by partaking in the drug, the culture, etc, than I have while high. That's not to say that I haven't had important and useful experiences or thoughts because of Marijuana.
Good for you. Not for me. People who press on after I say that generally have a bit of a boundary issue.
I use most drugs a few times a year. I probably drink more than I should, and smoke a little bit of weed here and there. Before I used psychedelics I was a pretty unhappy person. I was petty, jealous, mean and unhappy. After a few trips I had sufficiently seen myself from a perspective outside my everyday frame of mind and realized what an unhappy bummer I was. Don't know if I would have gotten on the right track without it, glad I did it.
For my opinion: I don't use any. I've got nothing against them, it's that I'm too young to feel comfortable about using anything that could bugger my mind. I'm waiting until that's less of a threat. I made this question because I wanted to know how other people felt. I think that it shouldn't be something hidden from each other. I don't care whether you use them or you despise them. Does that help, flagamuffin?
Drugs have treated me wonderfully for the most part, put me in a lot of different situations, have helped me meet a lot of interesting people who've helped me grow or enhanced my world view, I had run me through a lot of different mind states. The last is the most important, mostly from psychedelics but a bit from more regular substances, I've enjoyed a lot of examples that have shown me how strong perspective is. Trying to move past a rough point in an acid trip has helped me see how 99 percent of anxiety and depression comes forms inside, which has helped me almost completely move past the two even though they come back to haunt me here and there. I'm also just almost 22 so it's up to debate how much was drugs and how much was growing up. They've helped me a lot socially, once you see how easy it is to meet knew people when your high enough on something like MDMA or cocaine to move past your insecurities it's a lot easier to do sober.
With all that said, I'm almost 22 and the only thing I've really accomplished so far is emotional stability and being able to party around well. From 19-21 I was smoking and drinking a lot and doing at least one different drug a day or two a week if not more. So it's been a distraction but I feel immensely stable emotionally and have shed pretty much all the negativity I had when I was younger.(which was a decent amount, had hate tattooed on me when I was 16, although that hardly supports my point)Now when I use it's all in moderation, heavy doses of psychedelics are a thing of the past just because they don't really feel interesting anymore, I've worked past a lot of inner conflict.
About bad trips, unless you're prone to mental issues most psychedelic freak outs just come from confusion, if it starts to get weird you just gotta let it pass over you. Other wise there are tough where you have to deal with stupid Hangups in your worldview/ego whatever you want to call it. They aren't "fun" , but they are immensely rewarding. If anyone is considering trying I wouldn't worry just start with half a hit or a single one and you'll be able to see how it effects you, things don't get too funky till 2-3 in.
On the side, I think a lot of new ageism is driven by the wild things people think on psychedelics but don't bother to assess rationally. I don't believe Chrystals have powers but I believe people believe it so that's sorta the same thing. I've Ben on drugs before and seen how you can convince yourself of that which at least has some merit on the power of perception.
While drugs have been alright to me for the most part, I've seen them tear a lot of people apart, mostly heroin and meth. I've had done both plenty of times just because the opportunity was there and felt little inclination to revisits them till they appeared in my life ago. I think most people prone to addiction have deep seated issues to escapee from with the high. , (almost every addict I know has been sexually abused, or very heavy emotional abuse, or suffers from a mental illness). The other reason would just be being in an environment with constants affordable supply where you don't notice or care till your already fairly hooked. I guess those are obvious but I just think risk of addiction is very exaggerated for the average cautious person. Also I'm all for legalizing drugs but I sometimes think we have to address poverty first considering the economic impact of the black market in lower economic areas. Would still probably be better than the large amount of people we have in jail for dug charges and the violence associated with the drug trade. Typing this on a phone sucked, excuse grammar and bad structure. I'll add/fix it if I he around to a computer tonight.
I'm not opposed to them so long as people are using in a way that's not self-destructive. You do what you want but don't make a problem out of it. I'm interested in psychedelics but am very hesitant to ever try them. Too worried that I would end up somewhere I don't want to be, or screw up my already fragile mental state. I don't know what my mind is capable of and I don't know if I want to find out.