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 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