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Breakthrough via "Drugs"

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LuxEtVeritas

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Is anyone aware of studies reviewing the effects of individuals who have had breakthrough experiential "trips" with drugs, usually of course being some form of psychedelic, and the short and long-term impact on their sense of well-being, world view, and how they tend to conduct themselves (et al)

Just curious as many who have breakthroughs seems to report such an emphatic change in their being as a whole and I was wondering if this really was just an initial post-"euphoric" reaction for the most part or for many a true tanscendental, meaningful, and life altering transition

certainly i know there are those for which this occurs, but what is the norm?

i would like to think responsible use of such substances truly can have profound positive impacts and curious to see if these breakthrough experiences really seem to change people to a large degree as a norm
 
I'm not an expert, but frankly I would tend not to think so. I've read some opinions (from users) that such learning experiences tend to "apply to the state in which the learning occurs" more than everyday consciousness (my own words) and it strikes me that this would likely be the norm, at least if I understood these comments correctly. Can anyone confirm/deny?
 
I have experienced breakthrough trips like this on several occasions and you wouldn't ever be able to convince me that I was deluded by the drug. One time in particular (the first time I tripped, mushrooms) stands out far above the rest... a real spiritual awakening. I know there are those who doubt and all, and I have certainly been one of them, but I do believe it's possible. And it's happened to a lot of people.

But the norm? I don't think so. I think it's a combination of set and setting (largely), and openness of the subject to whatever is to come (also largely). Also, it depends on how you make sense of and use of that information afterwards. Do you apply the lessons you seemed to learn, or do you sweep th-em under the rug or dismiss them as delusions? If the lesson is to live your life in a better and more positive way, does it even matter then?
 
Can it happen? Definitely. I know this as a /fact/.
Is it /typical/ that this happen? I would say no. Not long term changes.
 
There was just a study done with Mystical Experiences and Psilocybin - there was extensive followup surveys and therapy in some cases -

it was a notable success (for those who believe in the healing power of psychedelics)-
 
There are a lot of people who use psychedelics to obtain spiritual and worldly wisdom, and use them as a tool specifically to explore the depths of their mind in order to better their life.

SWIM, when he uses mushrooms, he occasionally falls into a deep thought about the direction of his life, analyzing yourself without an ego to get in the way, and he can say that it positively changed his way of thinking about life. I guess you could call it an epiphany. A lot of the times, however, he loses from his memory of what he learned and its importance.

Although I cannot point you to any studies because I don't know any, this is absolutely a common occurrence in people who are spiritual/religious and/or, again, using the substance as a tool for the very purpose of finding themselves so to speak.

Other people, however, who want to just "trip balls and see some cool shit" are not likely to have any kind of life changing experience. It is all about your mindset and personality.
 
IcarusRisen said:
If "swim" is having trouble remembering, "swim" should buy a note taking voice recorder.
Click to expand...

Not a bad idea at all - actually that would be some real entertaining stuff when all is said is done.

Only problem is the life changing experiences that SWIM experiences are usually running through his head and while he may be able to get some of it out of his mouth, it may not make much sense later.
 
You know, I just realized that the rules of this board are not the same as another one I was thinking about, you know, with the whole "SWIM" thing. Theres nothing incriminating talking about taking a substance in the past.

I tend to get a little paranoid sometimes 8(

Sorry to get OT a little.
 
thanks for the replies thusfar

yes i am speaking of the experience who either intentionally are seeking "breakthrough" or just happen upon it , but do achieve it

not those just looking to 'trip ball's and have funky visuals, et al. and have less chance to get a breakthrough or epiphanies or related, though of course it can still happen (though they also i guess may be less prone to really absorb it)
 
I'd go to a local academic library and go through the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, I seem to recall something about this in the last 20 years.
 
Um I don't think so

It's like what scientific publication would publish something like this,

on a related note what publication would publish that little snipit "90% of teenagers don't stand up for god" that we get spammed to us all the time in email

well it's not quiet like that, so i guess your referring to recieving psychotherapeutic benefit from psychedelic drugs?


I dont know if anyone has, I don't think I have; I take psycadelics for the epxierence(the sensory distortion), I want to hallucinate about molecules and my cells and things like that; I do so because I believe that's all that can be had from psychedelics
 
I'm pretty sure the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs has published this, as I had just said. They're the scientific journal that would publish this.

Previously known as the Journal of Psychedelic Drugs. Very interesting journal, imo. Publish quite a bit of Ott's stuff.
 
We all know how little anecdontal evidence is worth;

what would be the control for this study?
how would things be quantized in this study?
what would the methodology of this study be?



Hard science needs controls & measurements, and even soft science (psychology, sociology and all that bullshit) tries to do the same
 
...and of course MDMA was used as a therapeutic tool before it became a street drug

also a lot of early work with LSD was done in a very controlled manner

studies of this nature can absolutely be done with firm guidelines...that is not an issue
 
Adrenochrome said:
(psychology, sociology and all that bullshit)
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Hey, watch it! While I don't care much for psychology (=D), many of us here are sociologists ;).

As for the OP... the last time I've taken psychedelics was last february. It was the most powerful trip I had (it is posted in the BnD DPT thread on PD), and I have not taken psychedelics since then because I am still in the process of integrating it. That is EIGHT MONTHS of (very insightful) after-effects, and I certainly am not talking about that HPPD bullshit.
 
Adrenochrome said:
I dont know if anyone has, I don't think I have; I take psycadelics for the epxierence(the sensory distortion), I want to hallucinate about molecules and my cells and things like that; I do so because I believe that's all that can be had from psychedelics
Click to expand...
What kinda stuff do you get about your cells? Sounds interesting... :\ ;)
 
Adrenochrome said:
We all know how little anecdontal evidence is worth;
what would be the control for this study?
how would things be quantized in this study?
what would the methodology of this study be?
Hard science needs controls & measurements, and even soft science (psychology, sociology and all that bullshit) tries to do the same
Click to expand...

Hard science might need all these things, but "hard science" is not always appropriate to the study of our experienced reality. It's arrogant to think this is so and neglects other, highly significant facets of human experience. Sociology doesn't always try to do the same - qualitative research is showing us other perspectives which are just as valid in there own right.

Adrenochrome said:
.......... I take psycadelics for the epxierence(the sensory distortion), I want to hallucinate about molecules and my cells and things like that; I do so because I believe that's all that can be had from psychedelics
Click to expand...

Gosh. Sounds like quite a limited experience. IMHO this shows just how lacking in richness a scientific perspective can be.

E
 
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