Does anyone really know "how" to take LSD anymore?

[jazz88]

I know this is a little overly simplistic and patronizing but I feel that most everyone I have heard talk about their LSD experience (whether online or in person) seems to indicate a very very shallow understanding of the drug and its value. I mainly hear a lot of stories about "visuals" or goofing around with friends, almost all of which include obvious elements of poor set or setting and a complete disregard and fear for any psycho-spiritual content that emerges during the trip. If the stories do include any actual transcendent, "transpersonal", or transformative elements, they are usually downplayed to the point triviality.

Its very frustrating to see people prattle on about "LSD this" and "LSD that" when they have a very incomplete framework or understanding of the drug-- especially when they're doing the stuff regularly!

I want to her someone tell me, "I made myself a open, accepting vessel for a deeply life-changing experience that made me so high and full of love and potential that it irrevocably changed my life for the better", but it hasn't happened in 15 years.

Is it the times we live in? Is it the financial crisis? Is it those goddamn indie-rockers and their spineless tweeness? What is it!!??

Jazz88

 

[Anon0631]

LSD certainly re-installed my operating system in the 90's. It wasn't easy but was certainly for the best. I am now a thoughhtful, caring person. It gave me creativity and empathy that had probably always been there but was hidden behind a wall of macho defensiveness. That said, I prefer less promiscuous psychedelics these days.

 

[Thanatos]

Am I not allowed to use LSD for my own purposes? You ARE patronizing. What value does thread bring to PD? Everyone has their own reasons for dosing, what makes it okay for you to say my 'fun' is the wrong way to use a substance?

 

[Anon0631]

I think jazz is saying more that if LSD is taken in a hedonistic way, the real social value of the substance might be missed. You can do whatever you want but many people believe that acid has the potential to change society and advocate it's use to that effect.

 

[Solipsis]

Your perception may be selective, due to any number of reasons none of which I mean to be your 'fault'... but for example if you happen to hang around people who use it for recreational reasons and who have little interest in spiritual or personal development. Or if you are talking about this forum, possibly the logical fact that most threads that are posted are about beginners asking questions. If you are interested in more sophisticated discussion, just look for it. For example here is the "how have psychedelics changed you thread"

At some level though, I do agree that it appears that a lot of people seem to be exposed to and aware of the existence of such drugs as the NBOMe's that are also more readily available than classic psychedelics which may be a bit more exclusive to psychedelic-minded scenes. A part of that can be attributed to the age of information, a lot of people may just read about the outrageous visuals and euphoria and ignore the complex repercussions on your mind or personality or the very significant risks that are involved.

Or maybe a forum like this or talking with people that are not extremely close to you lend themselves more to superficial talk while personal transformation can be more er.. personal.

In any case, I did LSD again recently - a big part of the reason was to help me sync my thoughts and my feelings and integrate myself as a whole again, because I have difficulties processing my experiences and emotions for a number of reasons... and when I did it I also meditated for a while and the effect was soon catalyzed. With extremely little effort I felt like everything that had convoluted in myself was allowed to "catch up" which caused a mix of feelings that were intense for a while. But it felt extremely healthy and therapeutic. Then, at the summit of my relief there was nothing left but pure gratitude.

I treasure substances like this as medicine.

 

[Crashing]

I agree Jazz. That's why i try to make people read "The Psychedelic Experience" before or after taking LSD. http://deoxy.org/psyexp.htm

This manual explains proper usage for psychedelic drugs, such as they have been intended to be used for thousands of years. Using them in a hedonistic way, as we see all the time, results in a negative "re-entry phase" which is actually severely psychologically degrading and extremely dangerous. This is when the user fights to regain their normal selves back and experiences hallucinations usually in the latter half of the trip.

People who claim that LSD lasts only 6-7 hours are either misusing the drug or not getting real LSD. Also people who report hallucinations on LSD are individuals who fight the experience because they don't understand how to properly use the drug. Taking LSD and most other psychedelics requires a very serious and well thought out preparation. You wouldn't try to run a road race without preparing for it, because you would fall down halfway through.

EDIT EDIT EDIT - THIS IS MY OPINION LOL

 

[rangrz]

OP: The purposes you seem to advocate taking LSD for are for a person to embrace and incorporate the PATENT NONSENSE induced by the psychedelic experience. Some people, like myself, may enjoy getting high and having fun, but are not going to disregard our grounding in objective reality to embrace whatever silly ideas we get while high.

 

[Solipsis]

I strongly disagree because you make it seem like any feelings of ideas that come up during an LSD trip are all wrong, useless or nonsensical. You can't possibly mean that?
Yes sure, *some* of them are, but care to explain why you think that the TS focuses only on those? I think you have it the other way round.

 

[Anon0631]

Well, they are never as revolutionary as they seem while you are tripping. But that's the point. To be able to examine ideas about yourself and your role on this planet with new eyes. Right?

 

[Ismene]

I think jazz is saying more that if LSD is taken in a hedonistic way, the real social value of the substance might be missed.

I'm not sure what social value LSD has - surely it's a personal, subjective affair? I've never been a big believer in the theory that you take LSD once and are suddenly transformed into a Gandhi like figure padding round in your flip-flops dispensing the contents of your wallet to beggars.

 

[nastypoker]

Because LSD is used recreationally for fun as well as deep internal mental thoughts about ones self.

 

[rickolasnice]

Drug snobbery -_-

To each their own.

Live and let live.

 

[Anon0631]

I'm not sure what social value LSD has - surely it's a personal, subjective affair?

That's exactly the type of mistaken soci-political thinking that the early LSD evangelists were trying to cure the world of. What is society other than a collection of individuals? By definition, the more of those individuals take LSD, the greater the percentage of society will be open to the subjective changes that LSD can bring about. The merry pranksters, brotherhood of eternal love, etc believed that once this number reaches a critical mass, there will be no more war and hatred.

Whether you believe this or not, it's impossible to refute that as an individual, you are part of society. In countries that weren't ravaged by McCarthyism, this is known as 'socialism'.

 

[rickolasnice]

OP: The purposes you seem to advocate taking LSD for are for a person to embrace and incorporate the PATENT NONSENSE induced by the psychedelic experience. Some people, like myself, may enjoy getting high and having fun, but are not going to disregard our grounding in objective reality to embrace whatever silly ideas we get while high.

I agreed..

I've said it before but every time i hear / read an "enlightenment" story it's either someone has changed their entire belief system (not good, most of the time, imo) or it's they've "discovered" something stupidly obvious that they blatantly already knew.

I'm not saying they can't be used as great personal tools but I learn a lot more about myself sober than i do on any drug.. as you can't argue that drugs alter your perception.. what can be more real than real life?

 

[Anon610]

I strongly disagree because you make it seem like any feelings of ideas that come up during an LSD trip are all wrong, useless or nonsensical. You can't possibly mean that?
Yes sure, *some* of them are, but care to explain why you think that the TS focuses only on those? I think you have it the other way round.

Was watching Inside LSD and architects were using it to solve problems they've been having with their architecture and creativity. A lot of the users went on to invent things and everyday inventions. I think it just depends again on how the user decides to go upon using it, mentally. Also, according to the documentary 'Most of LSDs users are educated white men. Ages 18-22.'

Also, didn't Francis Crick or whoever map the human DNA thanks to LSD? Or it was his death bed confession.

Good documentary actually.

 

[Crashing]

OP: The purposes you seem to advocate taking LSD for are for a person to embrace and incorporate the PATENT NONSENSE induced by the psychedelic experience. Some people, like myself, may enjoy getting high and having fun, but are not going to disregard our grounding in objective reality to embrace whatever silly ideas we get while high.

That's pretty ignorant from someone with 11,000 + posts. LSD and select few other psychedelics are quite strictly not meant for 'getting high and having fun.' Using them this way is incredibly risky, and understanding the experience and integrating it properly is quite a bit more responsible than what you seem to be advocating.

There are hundreds of other chemical to get high and have fun, your mentality is why entheogens have been made illegal at all. This attitude completely ruins the opportunity for people who want to truly better themselves.

 

[rickolasnice]

^ Using them for personal insight can be just as risky. All you have to do is know yourself, know the drug, know the dose, and of course - set and setting.. Then use them however the fck you wanna use them.

Each to their own - live and let live - etc.

 

[Crashing]

"Set denotes the preparation of the individual, including his personality structure and his mood at the time. Setting is physical — the weather, the room's atmosphere; social — feelings of persons present towards one another; and cultural — prevailing views as to what is real. It is for this reason that manuals or guide-books are necessary. Their purpose is to enable a person to understand the new realities of the expanded consciousness, to serve as road maps for new interior territories which modern science has made accessible."
—Timothy Leary, The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead

Where do you think the term 'set and setting' came from, and what do you think it means? It goes a lot deeper than simply being in a good mood in a comfortable place. The original intention was to be FULLY prepared. In order to do so, one must understand the entire manual! That's part of the "SET"!!! Ugh....

Leary coined the term in the first place so don't use it unless you know what it means.

Live and let live, sure, but life isn't all cherries and roses my friend. If other people are going to continue to degrade the image of psychedelics, i will do what i can to stop it.

 

[rickolasnice]

Yeah cos Leary is God and we must all obey -_-

Drug snobbery is all it is.

I guess amphetamine users should only use them if they have ADHD. I guess opiate users should only use them if they are in extreme pain. I guess cocaine users should only use when in the dentist and Ketamine users should only use when undergoing surgery

 

[Gyrospeck]

Many people use booze or Benzos to black out and become foolish instead of for anxiety relief.

Many people use opiates to nod instead of for pain, motivation, or depression.

Many people use marijuana to make Cheetos more tasty, instead of for pain, nausea, personal insight, etc.

Many people use stems to party all night instead of for study, motivation, or social development

The point is that people misuse and abuse all classes of drugs. All drugs have potential for wonderful healing and growth but also for devastation and loss. I agree with the overall idea of the OP. LSD should be used for spiritual, personal, social development and not for laughs and colors. They are powerful tools that people should be properly educated about. Drugs should not be abused.