MAPS Lay person with some questions

irjowo99

Greenlighter
Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Messages
1
Hello!

I am a lay person with an interest in psychedelic research.

I want to look through the literature but don't have a lot of time. I'm quite curious if anyone has done research in a few directions that seem fruitful to me based on my recent psychedelic experiences, as well as conversations I've had with other people who use marijuana regularly.

I have recently had a number of instances of what I would call getting "really high" or having a psychedelic drug trip. In talking to regular marijuana users (roommates/friends) I've learned that they do not regularly get "really high" or have euphoric or intense experiences from their marijuana use.

Also, I've noticed that the amount I smoke/ingest doesn't seem to necessarily correspond to how high I get/how intense the experience is.

I am very curious if anyone has investigated these questions:

1) does amount ingested seem to affect the quality of the "high" or intensity of the experience?

2) What is the factor that seems to affect or dictate the intensity/quality of the experience?

My very subjective impression is that the relevant factors are relational-- it has to do with the people involved and their relationships/social needs. My theory is that the drug triggers a psychotic state which allows them to directly address conflicts in their relationship. Once those conflicts are resolved, they are able to be in each other's presence and remain relatively "sober."

Anyway, I can't articulate this clearly because I don't understand it in any depth or with any rigor. But basically, I think that indigenous practices of shamanism have a lot to offer in helping us understand the role of psychelics-- the trouble is sorting out what is extraneous ritual and irrational beliefs, and what behaviors are actually necessary to bring about the trance state, and what physiological responses are necessary results of the trance state.

Basically, I'm asking for someone's time to talk to me a bit online to see if I can get a better handle on where the field has gotten and where it is going. I'm also quite curious if anyone here might be willing to engage in a discussion about some of my specific thoughts on the issue-- I understand if not! I'm sure you guys get a lot of casual and/or lay people offering you all sorts of opinions and asking you all sorts of questions!

Thanks much,
Ira Woodward
Seattle
 
I'm glad you are here. You consumed marijuana and not a more classical psychedelic? If you consumed cannabis there are probably more people familiar with this in the Cannabis Discussion forum.

I prefer well grown organic marijuana (the same as my fruits and vegetables). I currently can't obtain well grown organic cannabis because of prohibition. Hopefully this changes soon. Until then I abstain because, for me, illegal marijuana could contain shaky risks, dubious quality, and possibly support violent cartels.


From my very old experiences I remember:

1)The amount ingested is very significant and as with most drugs tolerance develops. When I was not smoking lightly I was looking at that reality often. Smoking 1/8 of hydroponic sensemillia with two friends was social and relaxed. Now without my old tolerance an entire lung full of the same stuff could knock me out. Some people consider higher doses without tolerance psychedelic.

2)People including me think fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals could possibly have negative effects. DDT is a no no. If you are purchasing legally in Seattle then those growers get veted. They use reverse osmosis units, hygienic practices, safe nutrents, and flush their plants in anticipation of harvest. Whats leftover is the same as buying hydroponic strawberries from the grocery store. With legal medical grade cannabis the strain, dose, and patient determine the effects.

Strain:
Each strain (aka the genetics of the plant) has different combinations of psychoactive cannabinoids*. Skilled growers vary the nutrients they give plants and the environment they grow in amplifying the unique characteristics of each strain. These variations in cannabinoid content result in different psychoactive and therapeutic effects.

Dose:
The amount of plant material you consume influences the intensity and nature of the psychoactive and therapeutic effects.

Patient:
The body chemistry of the patient, their mental set, and physical setting also influence the psychoactive and therapeutic effects.

*Cannabinoids are naturally occurring psychoactive chemicals in cannabis pants. This is distinct from what I talked about earlier mentioning environmental contaminants.
 
Marijuana can be used to access some of the realms of the mind manifested by psychedelics. This is not something I try regularly these days but I first noticed this aspect after several dozens of sessions with psilocybe cubensis in a sleeping bag at night alone. I would not say that this is possible with a personality with no full-on psychedelic experience, but this is conjecture. In my case marijuana outside the aesthetic realm would take me to a type of "underworld" realm where I would experience a type of "low-end" aspect of my personality to be looked at, with a slight awareness of other spirits around me working on this also. The spectacular encounter with the intelligent Energy Cluster at the center of the mind's eye, taking me on a highly guided and purposeful tour, experienced on the cubes, is probably never attainable with marijuana, in my experience.

Before anyone goes into psychedelics I would recommend the following book review and preferably a read of the book:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R93YN1...annel=detail-glance&nodeID=283155&store=books

AG, Houston
 
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