LSD to help with Depression?

[Bobthebastard]

Hi, I would like to get you guys' opinion on something. I have been doing online research about psychedelics for a few years now and find their potential quite fascinating. I have read several articles claiming that LSD and Psilocybin mushrooms have been very successful with treating people with depression. This, among many other things, has gotten me very interested in psychedelics. For quite a while now, I have had chronic but not necessarily severe depression and was hoping LSD in particular could help me too.

In a couple of weeks I am planning on taking 150-200ug of LSD for the first(sort of) time. Before tripping, I will try and get myself into as positive of a mood as is possible for me. I will have a trusted sober sitter for at least the peak (he has never taken psychedelics either but is a fan of weed, so I supposed that is better than nothing). Now that dosage may not be enough to get into the 'spiritual zone' and achieve what I am looking for. Depending on how this first trip goes, I may take 250-400ug later this summer.
I have tried LSD once about a week ago but it was just a very small dose to test how I reacted. I took about 80ug but I am not entirely sure, it could have been less. Other than dilated pupils, the only noticeable effect was I felt a tiny bit different but it was so slight it could have just been a placebo effect. Anyway, I am fairly sure I am ready for a much larger dose.

Every tripping guide always seems to fiercely warn against tripping if you are currently depressed. I realize there is a chance that everything could just get worse. I likely have a higher chance of having a bad trip than most people. But then again it could also truly help me. Either way, I think the risk is worth it. Perhaps some of you have been in a similar situation and I would like to hear any experiences you may have had.

Now I am not expecting some kind of miracle; I know LSD won't magically cure my depression. But it is a gateway to my psyche, a powerful tool for exploring the dark depths of my consciousness. Depression is nothing but a subjective negative mental state. I just need a catalyst for changing the way I think. Through intense introspection I could perhaps find the root of my problems. Coming out of my trip, I could finally accept who I am and stop giving a fuck about every little thing. If nothing else, I could at least get a fresh new perspective on life. Maybe I am expecting too much, but it is worth a try nonetheless.

I suppose I should talk a bit about the specifics of my depression. I have not been to a doctor about it and I haven't I even told anyone I know about it, nor do I intend to. I have no intention of getting hooked on anti-depressant medication, and I am skeptical about the usefulness of therapy sessions with some shrink. I have self-diagnosed myself with dysthymia, which basically means the depression is very long term but not extremely intense. I have had it for about seven years but possibly longer, I can't remember too well that far back. My depression has just been getting worse every year and it has gotten to a state where I really need to do something about it. I think most of my depression stems from mild to moderate social phobia and loneliness. I almost always apathetic, I find it very difficult to socialize, I lack motivation to do almost anything, and usually the only time I feel happy and relaxed is when I smoke weed. I am not suicidal but I sometimes think what a relief death would be. I would rather die that continue to live the rest of my life with this state of mind. But this is merely just thoughts; I am not about to go jump off a bridge any time soon.

I can see that taking LSD would be unwise if someone had Major Depressive Disorder, but I don't believe I have that. For example, if the death of someone close or some other traumatic event was the root of the depression, I can see that psychedelics have the potential to relive these traumatic moments at the peak of the trip and exacerbate the problem(although I hear Ayahuasca has been used to overcome traumatic events). However, this is not my situation. I have a fairly normal life without any major problems and most other people in my situation would be perfectly content... except I'm not. Despite my relatively fortunate and privileged life I am hopeless and depressed nonetheless. I know most of my negative thoughts are silly and irrational but I continue to think this way. Hopefully LSD will allow me to snap out of this and allow me to see the bigger picture...


Another question, would candy-flipping help? I have tried MDMA by itself before and it certainly makes me feel relaxed and carefree, but I have not tried combining it with anything. For anyone that has candyflipped, do you find that it gets rid of any potential paranoia and noticeably reduces the chances of having a bad trip? Or does it just make the trip even more intense and therefore a bad idea for my first time?

I also have several grams of P. Cubensis. Is this possibly a better option for what I am seeking than LSD?

I would really like to hear your opinions.

Thanks a lot. Sorry that was a long read.

 

[any major dude]

Sounds like you've done a bit of research, which is good. And looks like you have the risks/benefits pretty well laid out there as well. The basic crux of this is the greater chance of bad experience vs potential for healing. And no one can really make that cost benefit analysis for you, except you.

I will say that completely avoiding seeing a psychologist may not be the best idea. They can be quite helpful to many people, and if you look at the research with psychedelics & mdma they are both part of a long term therapy plan that involves more than the drug assisted therapy session. Ketamine, however is generally used as a one off or biweekly maintenance type program, and might be worth looking into as well, possibly as a prophylactic measure before an LSD experience.

Don't get me wrong, LSD & psilocybin are great tools for learning about oneself & for healing, but its usually best to approach a problem from multiple angles. Hope that helps!

 

[Incunabula]

I think you do sound like one of those people who could benefit from taking a psychedelic in regards to your depression.

I'd say try the mushrooms first before LSD. The duration is shorter and I think it's better as a first time psychedelic over all. Also, the most research currently going on in regards to using psychedelics for their anti-depressant effects are actually mostly focusing on psilocybin.

Don't candy flip. At least not until you know both compounds really well.

Edit:

Good luck and have fun, it's what it's all about

 

[my3rdeye]

I would say you are slighty higher risk for a bad trip. I would reccomend not getting caught up over thinking problems while tripping. I don't really notice much post LSD or post mushroom glow to be honest. I would also say mushrooms seem to leave me in a slighty better mood after than acid, but its not really that noticable. It is entirely within the realm of possibilty that psychedelics will make your problems worse too. I love the stuff but its got a serious dark side. You may not be on anti depressants but it sounds like you use weed as one. Excercise is a good. You should be concerned the depression is getting worse and you are having suicidal thoughts. Not all doctors are pill pushers either. You would be amazed at what one session can do in terms of getting a different fresh perspective on your problems, but this is all your choice. Good luck.

 

[blight12]

This post seems familiar. How would you go about this even if it where to treat depression? Taking LSD every day?

 

[EarthBounded]

Hello,

What a thought out and researched post. Good Job OP, Now I will take the extra time to chime in here considering you show extreme care to your life and situation.

No one here can logically say, yes you should take LSD or no you should not, it is all personal opinion and speculation. However I feel like you are on the right path you seem to know the dangers and positives. Now keep in mind you are going to have control throughout the trip, you will not loose all sense of self or motor skills at this dosage, so just remember you are going to have control of the outcome, if you have depressive suicidal thoughts then do not take the LSD until you are in a more comfortable state of mind, a positive state.

If you want to better your life with this tool, then its going to be up to you within the trip, do not focus on any negatives, focus on what your life can be and what you a missing, make sure to take all the positive aspects of your life with you on the trip ( mentally ), keep your loved ones and what you love about the world deep in your heart the entire trip.

Meditation is helpful, but more or less just make sure you have a clear mind and are relaxed.

Keep in mind there may be a few uncomfortable moments throughout the trip, however these will pass and they are part of the experience.

I in no way shape or form recommend someone with depression to candy flip or to take MDMA recreationally in general, LSD has an afterglow, you will feel this overwhelming joy for a few days after the trip, MDMA will mess with your serotonin receptors and can reverse the afterglow effect and can just make you feel hungover.

Psilocybin is being researched for depression as well, just don't take LSD and Psilocybin at the same time ( im not saying its dangerous, if you are trying to help your depression I wouldn't mix, I know you didn't say you were going to just throwing it out there) also I would span at least a whole month in between trips.

Like I said no one can say if this is going to cure or help, or even hurt. However my personal recommendation is you go for it and shoot for about 200mcg, the only weird thing here is you should have felt more off of 80mcg of real L....

Maybe don't view it as, using LSD to help your depression, maybe view this as a new life experience.

May you have the best journey possible, please update us.

EB

 

[Clocktower]

I'm going to do a play-by-play on this one, because friend I have been EXACTLY where you are. So has my girlfriend.

I suppose I should talk a bit about the specifics of my depression. I have not been to a doctor about it and I haven't I even told anyone I know about it, nor do I intend to.

Why not? Reaching for recreational drugs before you even talk to your friends or loved ones about your feelings is probably a mistake.

I have no intention of getting hooked on anti-depressant medication, and I am skeptical about the usefulness of therapy sessions with some shrink.

Boy, do I feel you. I felt depression in a similar way to you when I was in high school, and even for a couple of years in college- though it faded during those couple of years, more on that later. You're absolutely right to be skeptical of antidepressants- depression itself is so poorly understood that the medications are basically shotgun blasts that have a lot of unwanted side effects on the brain. HOWEVER, seeing a therapist and just talking through your feelings is grossly underrated, and even stigmatized by the general public and the media. Lot's of people feel MUCH better because of it!

It seems odd to think that just talking to someone can change your brain chemistry, right? How can the therapist "magically" make me feel better? Well, it's not magic, it's a scientific field that's been studied for decades. Lots of people think that if they go to therapy they've failed themselves in some way, but that's not really true. That's like saying that if you catch strep and have to go to a doctor for antibiotics, your body has "failed." 8) It hasn't. You just need to go to someone who knows what they're doing to help you fix it.

My depression has just been getting worse every year and it has gotten to a state where I really need to do something about it.

Yes! That's great! However, the first thing you should do is not reach for psychedelics- you need to tell a friend or loved one how you feel. It's possible that just talking about your feelings will make you feel much, much better. That's what worked for me. In college I made a few very close friends with whom I could talk about pretty much anything, and that absolutely changed my life.

I think most of my depression stems from mild to moderate social phobia and loneliness. I almost always apathetic, I find it very difficult to socialize, I lack motivation to do almost anything, and usually the only time I feel happy and relaxed is when I smoke weed.

IMHO, if your depression stems from loneliness, the cure is a friend. That doesn't mean you have to suddenly turn on the charm and be prom king, of course not. Is there anyone at all who you think you could talk to about your feelings? Maybe there isn't. In that case, a therapist might help. Of course, drugs like weed can make you feel better, but rarely are recreational drugs a long term solution by themselves.

I am not suicidal but I sometimes think what a relief death would be. I would rather die that continue to live the rest of my life with this state of mind. But this is merely just thoughts; I am not about to go jump off a bridge any time soon.

This is a BIG RED ALERT. I know it seems silly to say that, because you know you're not going to act on those thoughts, but suicidal thoughts of any kind are not "normal." I used to have the same kind of thoughts a few years ago... but now I don't. Ever.

I have a fairly normal life without any major problems and most other people in my situation would be perfectly content... except I'm not. Despite my relatively fortunate and privileged life I am hopeless and depressed nonetheless.

And that, of course, is depression. %) I used to feel the same way, and then I was more ashamed just for feeling that way... a vicious cycle, as it were. I'll say it again and again, talking helps. If you just open up even a little bit to the right person, you might be shocked at how accepting and supportive they can be, and at how much it can change the way you feel.

I know most of my negative thoughts are silly and irrational but I continue to think this way. Hopefully LSD will allow me to snap out of this and allow me to see the bigger picture...

There's nothing silly about it. Huge numbers of people feel that way, and even more (like me) avoid it only through the support of friends and family.

LSD might help you. It helped me- but I'll be clear: LSD helped me overcome negative thoughts by making me closer to my friends (and my girlfriend). If you go into the experience expecting the drug alone to solve your problems- hell, I don't know what will happen, I don't know you, maybe it will work. However, I think it's unlikely to be a long-term solution, and if I were you I'd look for someone to talk to about the way you feel.

Hell, message me, I'll talk to you! As you can see I have a lot to say.

 

[blight12]

Im not trying to be naysayer here but how would the practical application for this work. The theory is all good and well and makes absolute perfect efficient sense but beyond that?

 

[Flickering]

OP, you sound a LOT like me. I want to share my personal experience, maybe it will help.

I was similarly depressed, except that I have been actively suicidal, and I have talked about it with friends, though never in much detail. I also refused medication this whole time, even when I had whole weeks of thinking about nothing but killing myself. I did see several psychologists, tried all sorts of things such as intensive meditation retreats, and generally endured a form of dysphoria such as I've rarely heard described. Some days I thought I was going mad. I started to notice this seven and a half years ago, when I was fifteen, and at seventeen it had become unbearable.

At twenty I began experimenting with hallucinogens, with much the same intent as yours. I did it irregularly, but it averaged to less than once a month, which was about the right balance to integrate the experiences and keep the flow of introspection going. I used a variety of substances, but mainly LSD, mushrooms and mescaline.

Each trip was dark and painful on some level, because that was the frame of mind I was in anyway but also because I was focusing on it. Sometimes the dysphoria was mild, masked by the euphoria of the trip. Other times it was extreme, to the point where I actively wished for death. At some points I questioned whether this was helping or hurting. Each experience brought me closer to the source of the problem, helping me realise who I really was underneath the layers of bullshit and false selves I'd put up.

In the end, the source turned out to be a series of traumas I'd gone through when I was younger. I had to relive some painful memories to get to that point. You already know that it WILL hurt like hell.

Three weeks ago, I took four hits of acid and found myself able to see the EXACT pattern of thought that was my depression. All my efforts had led me to that clarity. I confronted it, and destroyed it.

I've been grateful to be alive every day since. I never realised how beautiful life could be. I believe it's gone for good, it won't be coming back.

One of the things psychedelics did for me was they simply allowed me to feel. I'd gotten to the point of being completely numb. Both my parents ended up in hospital and I didn't feel a thing. Hard as every trip was, I still looked forward to it, because the ability to feel even negative emotions made me feel alive.

It worked for me.

 

[Bobthebastard]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I appreciate the concern and effort a lot of you put in.

I want to make it clear that depression is not the only reason I want to take psychedelics. Regardless of whether I was depressed or not, it is certainly an experience I would like to try. It just so happens that psychedelics have the opportunity to help or hinder me in this aspect of my life.

One of my favorite parts of smoking marijuana(esp. sativa) is the way it allows you to think differently and see things in a different light. For example, if you go for a walk in a park on a nice day after smoking, the trees appear like rivers, patterns emerge everywhere you look, and everything has a much greater degree of "higher definition" detail. Even when I am sober, I have a greater respect for details and nature just seems more beautiful these days than before I ever tried weed. I expect LSD would be similar except much more intense and more introspective. Enhance my life, you know?

I will say that completely avoiding seeing a psychologist may not be the best idea.

You would be amazed at what one session can do in terms of getting a different fresh perspective on your problems, but this is all your choice.

HOWEVER, seeing a therapist and just talking through your feelings is grossly underrated, and even stigmatized by the general public and the media. Lot's of people feel MUCH better because of it!It seems odd to think that just talking to someone can change your brain chemistry, right? How can the therapist "magically" make me feel better? Well, it's not magic, it's a scientific field that's been studied for decades. Lots of people think that if they go to therapy they've failed themselves in some way, but that's not really true.

I know that seeing a psychologist can certainly benefit some people, but it is not really my sort of thing. I can't think of anything worse than talking to a psychologist about my problems for an hour each week, not to mention the expenses. Maybe it is something I will consider in the future if matter get a lot worse but I don't think I am ready for it yet.
This may not be healthy in this case, but I always prefer to do things my own way and fix my problems independently. There is nothing wrong with getting help, I know, but I prefer my way.

Reaching for recreational drugs before you even talk to your friends or loved ones about your feelings is probably a mistake.

I don't want it to sound like I have a bad relationship with my family, but I sort of feel a bit distant from them and not for any particular reason. I do like them, though I can't remember the last time I had a meaningful conversation with any of them or act myself around them. And with my close friends, they are always fun to be around but I wouldn't want to talk about really personal things. I'm an introvert and I am not very good at expressing deep feelings to people, moreover nor do I have a desire to. It's not I think they won't care or be unsupportive. I suppose it would just be really awkward talking to my friends or family about this.

I am not taking drugs in a self-destructive manner, or to get "fucked up", or as a way to get away from reality. I only take(and plan to take) the ones that I have researched extensively, have little to no physical harm, and are non physically addictive. I think they help me more than they hinder me.

I have been planning to fix my life for some time now. Psychedelics are just a part of it. I also will start going to the gym and take up running again. I will try to find more hobbies as what I currently do in my free time is very limited. Also force myself to be in more social situations despite my general discomfort in them. Only I can truly help myself, and nothing is going to change until I decide to start actively making changes. That's the plan anyway... Although I am quite lacking in motivation at times.

You may not be on anti depressants but it sounds like you use weed as one

In a way I guess it is, but that's not the only reason I take it. And although I smoke quite a bit, I don't think I would classify myself as a stoner. I have not become too dependent on it and could break the habit if I really wanted to. Similarly, I would not be taking psychedelics on a regular basis as one would have a daily anti-depressant pill.

How would you go about this even if it where to treat depression? Taking LSD every day?

Im not trying to be naysayer here but how would the practical application for this work. The theory is all good and well and makes absolute perfect efficient sense but beyond that?

I'm not going to take LSD just for the immediate effects or even the afterglow, although that would be nice. I certainly wouldn't be taking it every day as some form of anti-depressant medication. I don't care about the immediate feel-good effects if there even are any. I hope to learn something about myself or have a new perspective on life that I can bring out of the trips and implement into my everyday life. That's one of the things I find very interesting about psychedelics, how they can really change the way you live your life; they have the possibility to have a much more profound effect that just get you high for a few hours. Some of the trip reports I have read seem to confirm this, but there's only one way to find out if it will do the same for me.

the only weird thing here is you should have felt more off of 80mcg of real L....

I thought it was strange too, but maybe I took less than I thought. It was only around 2/5th of a tab after all. It was advertised as between 150 to 200μg each. I am fairly certain it is clean and the real deal so I will take a full tab next time.

Maybe don't view it as, using LSD to help your depression, maybe view this as a new life experience.

That's what I am aiming for, but perhaps this experience may be a step on the way to getting out of the depressive hole I've dug myself into.

focus on what your life can be and what you a missing, make sure to take all the positive aspects of your life with you on the trip ( mentally )

The way I see it, I can take my trips one of two ways. First would be to focus on my depression but from a positive angle. I would try and find the root cause of it and what I need to change in myself in order to get rid of it. This likely won't be fun at all but I could learn a lot more this way. Or it could all go horribly wrong...
The other way would be to try and ignore my depression and just have a good time. Possibly I will see the beauty and joy in living, or something. I think I will try this way for my first experience and see how it goes.

Hell, message me, I'll talk to you! As you can see I have a lot to say.

Thanks for the offer man.

Three weeks ago, I took four hits of acid and found myself able to see the EXACT pattern of thought that was my depression. All my efforts had led me to that clarity. I confronted it, and destroyed it.
I've been grateful to be alive every day since. I never realised how beautiful life could be. I believe it's gone for good, it won't be coming back.
One of the things psychedelics did for me was they simply allowed me to feel. I'd gotten to the point of being completely numb. Both my parents ended up in hospital and I didn't feel a thing. Hard as every trip was, I still looked forward to it, because the ability to feel even negative emotions made me feel alive.
It worked for me.

It is great to hear that this worked for you and to such a degree. I hope I can gain some insight as you did.

--

It will be at least two weeks until I have time to try my first trip. I will be sure to tell you guys how it goes. I am likely going to try LSD first instead of the shrooms mainly because the psychedelic effects of LSD seem a bit more appealing to me. I will take the shrooms later this summer anyway.

Thanks again

 

[BlueHues]

....... However my personal recommendation is you go for it and shoot for about 200mcg, the only weird thing here is you should have felt more off of 80mcg of real L....


EB

^After reading your post, that's the one thing that kind of concerns me.....Normally someone would experience a lot more from 80mcs than what you described, although some people seem to have a natural "tolerance" to LSD from what I've seen...Are you using the same batch of LSD that failed to really do much to you? Do you know anyone that's used this particular LSD? How have they described it? Are you even reasonably sure that it is LSD?

I just know how dissappointed and frustrated I've been when I've taken LSD and anticipated an exhilirating psychedelic trip and experienced nothing more than a slight "head-changer"...The bad trips I've had have been from weak acid that never really "kicked in", it messes with me a lot more than a strong dose of real LSD, where you just KNOW that you're tripping! I'd at least get confirmation from a couple people who have done the stuff your planning on taking and who have experience with psychedelics....Aside from lab-testing it, that's probably the best thing you can do...That's usually what I do....

As far as it helping you with you're depression and having it be a spiritual experience....I think the fact that you're taking it for those reasons increases the chances of you having a positive, enlightening experience, as your anticipation of how it will effect you actually plays a big part in the whole thing with most psychedelics....

I almost always feel a little apprehensive going into it, but when it kicks in, my fears melt away and I just go with it.....Most bad trips or negative experiences people have are due to being in an uncomfortable setting or being surrounded with people that make you uncomfortable.....That's why I think taking psychedelics at musical events can be really hit or miss...

If you're unsure of the quality or authenticity of the LSD, you'd probably be better off with the mushrooms, IMHO....

 

[Thorns Have Roses]

Check out our psychedelic therapy thread.

Every tripping guide always seems to fiercely warn against tripping if you are currently depressed.

I think they're full of bologna. I'm prone to nervousness and melancholy to the point of being completely nonfunctional, but psychedelics do fine by me. Of course, ymmv.

I do like them, though I can't remember the last time I had a meaningful conversation with any of them or act myself around them. And with my close friends, they are always fun to be around but I wouldn't want to talk about really personal things.

Maybe that's why you feel lonely, because you keep everyone at arm's length.

I am not taking drugs in a self-destructive manner, or to get "fucked up", or as a way to get away from reality.

Depends on how often you do this:

the only time I feel happy and relaxed is when I smoke weed.

I know that seeing a psychologist can certainly benefit some people, but it is not really my sort of thing.

Self-diagnoses are usually inaccurate, we don't even let people with doctorates do it. Chances are a psychiatric professional will be able to notice maladaptive thought/behavioral patterns that you can't see. We're all terrible judges of our own character. That said, it's your choice, and if you're a fool like me who refuses to do the rational thing (pathologically unwilling to ask for help), you could certainly do far worse than psychedelic therapy.

 

[DrunkardsDream]

If you are depressed I would not take ANY LSD or any illegal drugs. Instead talk to someone about it.