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MEGA - Courses and Careers related to Drugs

rangrz said:
... Medicine would the best field to go into if you REALLY want to do psychedelic therapy, one needs to have a medical licence in order to have prescribing rights, particularly when you're conducting in vivo experimental treatments using controlled substances.
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Pretty much like a psychiatrist(?) then.
 
Both are interesting but I personally would find chemistry or pharmacology better. To have the knowledge of how our world works and fits together or how different substances affect our minds and bodies would be great.
 
In some places you can take pharmacology as a minor but Medicine would be best bet here. As someone said above it's giving others controlled substances which probably won't do if you only have pharmacology.
 
Well as the law currently stands it wouldnt do anyway,lol.I know the US government does allow very narrow studies into the use of psychedelics in therapy but I would want to use them in a more broad manner than what they allow. I do see the governments views changing,hopefully within the nxt 10-15 yrs,and would like to be as equipped as possible when that change happens. Which area do you think would be the best to get a degree in first? Keep in mind that the job would still have to have a good career outlook until psychedelic therapy becomes a more mainstream and legal practice.

Pariahprose
 
The best education you can get for being able to participate in psychedelic research, would probably be Psychiatry, Medicine or Cognitive Science. All those have PhD level programs.

Chemistry will not help you, except in making them. Psychology also is more focused on behavioral therapy sans drugs. Psychiatry focuses a lot on psychopharmacology (a plain pharmacology degree won't be as focused on the mental aspects) and Cognitive Science I personally see as the "psychology/psychiatric" degree program of the future.
 
these three fields, so many bluelighter seem eager to become involved in. No doubt driven by a current obsession with drug culture. Is this really the right basis to make your decision on your lifes work? Maybe it is, but worth asking the question.
 
morpher001 said:
these three fields, so many bluelighter seem eager to become involved in. No doubt driven by a current obsession with drug culture. Is this really the right basis to make your decision on your lifes work? Maybe it is, but worth asking the question.
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For myself I know that my life purpose has something 2 do with drugs and helping others. I feel it in my mind,heart,and soul. As for this being a current obsession,well I have been obsessed with it since 15,so 10 yrs this yr,I would think that classifies it as a persistent obsession lol....

Pariahprose
 
thats what I was considering doing but would like to know everyones perspective about which one to start with bc I wil still need to make money while going to school for the remainder of the stuff...
 
Major in Biochemistry, and take two semesters of Differential Equations after you finish Calculus (as these are required for courses such as Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics). The great David Nichols himself points out that most students who begin with interests in psychedelics and take the requisite courses to pursue researching in the field, end up somewhere else, 9 times out of 10, as they develop other interests. Biochemistry is a versatile degree that will allow you to choose a number of different fields for graduate school, and leave you only a few courses away from others, should you change your mind.


Many graduate students are discouraged by the sheer lack of opportunity available to actually study these drugs, and the amount of fighting it takes to do the most basic research. Not to mention, if you aren't publishing, your chances of attaining tenure go in the toilet. Be sure you are interested in a field like pharmacology or chemistry generally before making the decision to spend 10 years attending school and accruing debt to study only one aspect of it.
 
You might also find that psychology is... somewhat overrated I guess. If you did Psych, you would have to take a bunch of classes outside the realm of drugs that you might have no interest in whatsoever. If you're wanting to be in the drug realm, I would go into Chemistry. Like someone said before, a lot of people's opinions change about drugs, at this point in your life, do you really think that it is something you can pursue forever? If you have a degree in Chemistry, you can easily be employed...pretty much anywhere that makes stuff.

Edit: No matter what you do, start working in a professor's lab as early as you can. You'll learn through classes, but will learn what everyone else is learning, you'll get a huge leg up in your career by working closely with a professor, especially on paper if you have 2+ years of research experience as an undergrad.
 
College aspirations v. higher education in recovery

I'm a long way from friends and family back north so I figured I would post my ramblings on bluelight to see if anyone had some advice for me.

I moved to south florida a couple years ago with an ex-girlfriend of mine in the hopes that we could start a new life and kick our respective dope habits. Needless to say that didn't happen and eventually our relationship deteriorated (after 3 years together) and I left for detox and she stayed behind in our old apartment. After a few relapses and rehabs I'm back in a halfway house and about 6 months clean. I'm sure some of you can relate to the inevitable monotony and boredom that comes with not using our favorite d.o.c or even being able to party on the weekends. However, it's made that much worse when you live in an environment like a halfway house where your constantly surrounded by the same people everyday and are restricted as to what you can and can not do. Lately I've really been considering moving out and possibly trying to go back to school. I've already spent a year at a liberal art college (university of pittsburgh) and I'm not sure that is really the best route for me to take.
Does anyone down here have experience with film school? I don't really have much experience with using the necessary equipment or anything but it's something I've always wanted to do (create films/document the things going on around me and in the world in general), and I was wondering if anyone has advice for breaking into a field like this. I realize that for the most part it is just going out and creating something worth watching and being lucky/ambitious enough to have it seen by someone but I'd still be interested to see if anyone has any feedback.
I know the whole halfway house/moving out thing doesn't really have much to do with the idea of going back to school, but for me it would be a total change in my day to day affairs and most probably my living situation.
 
I do not have personal experience with the film/video audio production field, but I have a friend who studied VAP.

What she did was went to a technical, 2 year college and got a degree in video audio production. This is what I would suggest doing, going to a technical school. They will teach you how to use the necessary equipment (often times provide it to you to use during your college stay), have you complete projects and portfolios, etc. Most technical schools will also have you do an externship in the VAP field which will often land you a job and help you get your foot in the door.

Going back to school is a great idea, especially going for something that you love!

Best of luck to you.
 
Ya I agree, I think going to a two year technical school is the best course of action. I feel like dumping 70,000 dollars (that I don't really have) into a school like full sail wouldn't do much more for me in terms of learning the equipment and/or industry and would just be a waste of my time and money. I mean I can see if you have the money and time but I work a full time job to pay my bills and such, I need something I can work into that schedule. But thanks for the tips rx_prn, Ill keep ya updated an let you know how it's goin!
 
I too share both those passions. Although for me it's more of an undeveloped love of the idea rather than a true bond with the activity itself. My dope-scapades have prevented me from channeling myself into some of the aforementioned activities but now that I've decided to be clean for a while I must say I'm pretty excited to get into it. Do you have anything recorded? I'd love to see, even if they are just short spurts or pictures. I just got done watching the documentary "Zoo", not sure if you've ever seen it but it's fucking crazy. I see you live in Hollywood? Is that Florida or California? They are opening up a new theatre location for Cinema Paradiso right near young circle (if you live in hllywd, fl) which should have some cool indie flicks n such.
 
Pharmaceutical Sales Rep?

Do any of you guys have experience working in pharmaceutical sales?

How did you find your job and what was the interview process like?

I have two years experience in medical device sales but I'm just not passionate about machines and gadgets. I have a genuine interest in how drugs affect people (and not just psychopharmacological drugs).

Also, how would I tactfully explain to a hiring manager my interest and knowledge of pharmaceuticals? I can't outright say that I majored in recreational drug use for 2 of my 5 college years.

Thanks in advance.
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