First Psychedelic and second ever use of any drug, please help?

[Constantino]

Hi. I've been interested in taking psychedelics after knowing about McKenna, the reason is, I want to get deeper insights into reality.

I have only ever used cannabis as a drug. Let me describe what happened to me on cannabis, because I think it was very unusual:

We were in about 5, two joints were lit and everybody smoked the same, it was my first ever use of any drug. I took one big long hit, and held it for about 5 seconds, everything was okay, and the joint went around, and came back to me, i took another bit hit, and then another and another, about 4 in total... and then it came.... I suddenly felt I needed some fresh air, I got up and as I walked through a corridor, I didn't know where I was, who I was, felt completely lost, and I am a very philophosical person, I have lots of existential questions and it all came to me. It completely twisted and changed my perception of reality, everybody else was fine, and they were saying things, they were a bit worried but not too much. At that moment I thought my god wtf is happening, this cant be real, i cant believe this is happening... I really lost contact with reality. After all this, i sat in the sofa and my body started doing the weirdest movements, I felt like a paranoid, I went completely nuts, my eyes were crazy, my whole body was shaking. After a while the effects started settling, and then it was a mix of dream/reality. And I felt like my conciousness expanded through the whole universe, I thought I was god. I dont know what kind of weed I smoked, but I was the only one to suffer these effects.


Given all this, would you say it's ok if I take psychedelics? I have bought some magic truffles (mexicana) from amsterdam, and am planning to use them soon, but i'm a bit concerned about this.

Would anyone please enlighten me a little?

Paulo

 

[Reverend Random]

Hi Paulo,

I wouldn't use your words "suffer these effects" as what you describe sounds like a proper psychedelic mind-blowing mystical experience. The kind that doesn't come easy to most people. Of course, since you were not prepared for this and were probably also not in the best setting to appreciate the effects (being in a room with four other people), it's very possible that it all became too much.

From my experience, cannabis (for me it's usually when taken orally) is a very powerful psychoactive substance, and can be very very psychedelic. And the psychedelic state induced by cannabis is not the most pleasant one for me, because it can feel very much out of your control. Psychedelics such as mushrooms can be more controllable, but then again, they can be unpredictable as well.

Before you take the mushrooms, just make sure that you are in the right frame of mind, with the right people and in the right circumstances. As they say, "drug, set and setting". You'd be surprised how big the influence of mindset and setting are... ime at least as important for the eventual effects as the substance and the amount. At any rate, just approach with caution and don't forget to breathe.

 

[kidklmx]

You're fine OP, I second Reverend Random in that the THC psychedelia is not the best, especially the first few times. For me the world used to go spinning around and around and I described it as "The world is a comic story", which somehow was a fitting description. What you're describing is really not that uncommon, it can get pretty weird in the beginning!

The "real" psychedelics are totally different from what happened to you with weed, it can be pretty racy and weird too but much more controlled. It's very hard to explain what's exactly different, but take it from me: It's different. So if you "can't handle" weed then that means nothing for handling psychs. Much less anxiety (though it's there, but again, different) and filled with euphoria. Those mexicanas aren't really the strongest either (or at least, that's how they're marketed), so as long as your set/setting is right then you're good to go.

 

[Solipsis]

Don't really want to get into the question whether you should take drugs or not, considering we don't really permit questions like that being asked directly - it is one of the rules - but suffice it to say that it sounds to me like you just had a cannabis overdose which is quite common and it can be a pretty heavy experience full of terror, anxiety, delusions, paranoia and stuff like that. It can happen to everyone although it is usually hard to get them if you have high tolerance to cannabis, either way it doesn't say anything about a person unless you have an extensive history of such reactions at any dose of any drug.

Be extra careful with tripping if you are an unusually high strung or unstable person (better not to take psychedelics in that case) but don't let it depend on how you responded to what very well may have been too high a dose of weed.
Always start low with something like mushrooms or similar psilocybian fungus tissue, and make sure you are in a situation where you are comfortable and safe.

 

[xx001]

For your first time, you simply smoked too much. Most people don't realize how strong weed can be, especially for a first timer or person who has no tolerance. It certainly possible to experience open eye visuals that completely obscure your sight if you smoke too much too fast. Be more conservative next time.(both with cannabis and psychedelics)

 

[sheekle]

weeds psychedelic effects tend to make me really uncomfertable but i LOVE acid

 

[rpm]

As others have said this is simply acute cannabis psychosis. It happens to everyone. Particularly on their first time. First time I smoked weed there was a Eminem accapela playing and I thought that the weed had stopped me hearing the lyrics. I went into a proper paranoid spiral.

Since then I have taken most common and some uncommon psychedelics and been fine.

As Solipsis says though I wouldn't want to encourage you to take drugs. But if you do you will probably be fine. Make sure you have good set and setting, a trip sitter and a good frame of mine. Be safe!

 

[mozaik0000]

As others have said this is simply acute cannabis psychosis. It happens to everyone.

Yeah don't worry too much about it, but please be aware of cannabis' tremendous power. I have 2 friends, totally normal people, who suffered acute delirium/psychotic episode after heavy smoking, both ended up in hospital. One recovered, the other has permanent schizophrenic symptoms, 10 years later...
Some things they had in common: youth, strong weed, and medical history of schizophrenia running in the family.

This being said, i personally am very wary of strong weed which makes me all paranoid and tense, but i really enjoy a reasonable dose of mushrooms. You said "you want deeper insights into reality", those you might get, but one inevitable aspect of drug use is getting deeper insight into how different people react differently to the same substance, especially psychedelics. Better to respect these willfully than to be imposed respect by them. It seems your cannabis experience drove that point home!

Also, some might disagree with this and liken it to "cheating" the experience, but having a normal dose of benzos underhand can be a godsend for anyone undergoing a serious panick attack...

 

[rpm]

Yeah don't worry too much about it, but please be aware of cannabis' tremendous power. I have 2 friends, totally normal people, who suffered acute delirium/psychotic episode after heavy smoking, both ended up in hospital. One recovered, the other has permanent schizophrenic symptoms, 10 years later...
Some things they had in common: youth, strong weed, and medical history of schizophrenia running in the family.

Yeah I agree, I didn't want to downplay the remote possibility of triggering an underlying condition. The fact is that whenever you take drugs there is always a risk. Knowledge of yourself and the drug can help minimise it. But overall I was just trying to stop the guy from worrying, he doesn't want to go into a mushroom trip worrying about his previous experience. On the other hand, it might be wise to take some time to integrate the experience before diving back in.