Psychedelics and Bipolar

[hypnagogic]

Recently my brother decided to try ketamine after hearing about its beneficial effects in bipolar individuals. Sure enough, a small dose of about 30mgs left him feeling completely free of the usual anxiety and depression he'd been feeling, with the positive effects lasting several days. I've cautioned him against attempting to treat himself with it and it shouldn't become a problem since he has no source for it.

He has however expressed interest in experimenting with other psychoactive substances, including LSD, DMT, 4-AcO-DMT, MXE, etc. after hearing about my own experiences. I've been avoiding introducing him to these for fear of possible negative effects it may have on him, with the exception of MXE. I've done some research but haven't come across definite answers, apart from the obvious that it's probably better to be on the safe side and avoid it as with any mental illness.

His diagnosis is Bipolar I, though he's never had a manic episode which seems to be the most common side effect for people with bipolar using psychedelics. He's been prescribed a number of medications which have been largely ineffective and currently only takes amphetamine (Adderall IR and XR) on days he works and GHB (Xyrem) to sleep, both prescription. He's also had experience with MDMA, Methylone and cannabis without any negative effects.

So my question is should he avoid the typical psychedelics altogether or approach with caution, perhaps trying small doses first? If necessary, benzos are available.

 

[<SpaceHead>]

From my experience it seems not worth the risk. I mean just think when he trips he will have to think about the possibility that it might effect him negatively or damage him, which is not a good perspective to have to start a trip. My brother is diagnosed on the bipolar spectrum, took LSD and mushrooms each a couple times. He had great trips on those but they were very energetic and talkative spiraling conversations colliding and stuff. Although it was fun and interesting it did seem he had a strong energy flowing through him that was not present in everyone else we would trip with. One day he took 12 hawaiian baby woodrose seeds in a dorm room at his school. The experience was on the ++++ type scale, full revaluation of his life and mind and perspective, completely ego shattering. He suffered with anxiety, depersonalization and depression for about a year, although recently has taken to Buddhist meditation practice which has enabled him to be free of these warped perspectives that haunted him. Be careful with those Hawaiian baby wood rose! sometimes they're really week and sometimes 12 will give you the most intense experience of your life if you wanted it or not, without asking.

Although if your going to trip anyways, yes you should start with very low doages, i would recommend mescaline as it is a very calm and balanced trip. But yea weight your doses and dont increase too fast. Also make sure your in a supportive environment free of unexpected visitors and other interruptions. Have someone there you care about and are open with to talk to them about what your experiencing. have some interesting activities planned like making art of any kind, making music and sounds, or going outside and exploring nature.

 

[webbykevin]

I think instead of avoiding psychedelics he should avoid psychotherapists who invent these bullshit mental illnesses just so they can prescribe the wonder drugs that their pharmaceutical company rep wants them to push.

80% of all Americans have received some form of psychological services at some point in their lives.
Each year in the U.S., 15% of adults and 21% of children see mental health professionals.
At least 25 million Americans take Prozac for their depression.
10 million children in America take at least one psychiatric drug.
40% of Americans (75 million adults) belong to at least one of more than 3 million support groups.

does that sound like a normal healthy medical system or a huge con ?

 

[mecaib]

@hypnagogic: I have bipolar II and take DXM occasionally, and it helps. I'm not ready to jump out and get a job, but I have been more stable than I have been in years. When I think about it, I realize that having only DXM at my disposal is a fortunate thing. If I had LSD or something, I might become too manic. But DXM flattens my mood, helping me to regulate my thoughts, instead of having too many wild fluctuations all the time.

does that sound like a normal healthy medical system or a huge con ?

The actual problem is the unrealistic way we are made to live. We have to rush rush rush, hurry up and get the f*ck to work, etc., and it's just not right. By the time we do get to work, our bosses are often complete assholes, cursing us out just to "vent" their anger. And some of us, like me, snap.

Like my fellow Amerikans, I too would work 5 days a week, if I could be sure I wouldn't crack under the pressure and throw more rocks, or break someone's desk.

We have more mentally ill people than in past centuries mainly because we are expecting too much from people on a day-to-day basis. If we could all go back to working at a reasonable pace, everyone would be a lot happier. Until that happens, or I can find a way to work alone and at my own pace, then I'm not going to work regularly, and will continue to take my meds.

 

[Thorns Have Roses]

Related reading (psychs/bipolar):
http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/391870-Bipolar-disorder-and-psychedelics-(mega-merged)

http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/583457-acid-bipolar-and-medications

http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/571558-Psychedelics-and-Bipolar-Disorder

http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/532494-Which-Psychedelic-(Bipolar)

The actual problem is the unrealistic way we are made to live

Yes, not to even get into half-hearted attempts at socialization that don't even address the fact the any individual person is superfluous. Like, in poorer countries, especially pre-industrial, children are NEEDED by their family/social group in order for the unit to survive/thrive. They are trained as people to fulfill a function in an environment which they belong to from birth. Here, childhood is treated as just dick around time, and you can go on to be "whatever you want" which while excellent and liberating in some respects, in another is just sugarcoating the hard fact "you are not needed or valuable." So you're brought into this world on some selfish whim to amuse your procreators, and then told to find your own meaning for existence in a society where existence is devoid of meaning.

 

[Sweetshare]

MXE should be legalized!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xORaXODrs-E

 

[hypnagogic]

Thanks for the replies, those topics linked have some especially useful posts.

 

[Dondante]

His diagnosis is Bipolar I, though he's never had a manic episode which seems to be the most common side effect for people with bipolar using psychedelics. He's been prescribed a number of medications which have been largely ineffective and currently only takes amphetamine (Adderall IR and XR) on days he works and GHB (Xyrem) to sleep, both prescription. He's also had experience with MDMA, Methylone and cannabis without any negative effects.

I know this isn't what you're asking for, but my sense is that your brother needs to see a new psychiatrist. First of all, the diagnosis of Bipolar I requires a manic episode (if he hasn't had one, it's not Bipolar I). Secondly, that is an extremely unusual medication regimen for any diagnosis.

For the true Bipolar I individual, I'd steer clear of psychedelics due to the risk of triggering a manic episode.

 

[hypnagogic]

I understand the diagnosis is unusual. I may be wrong, but I believe they refer to his case as a sort of atypical Bipolar I rather than II. Not that I know enough about either to be a judge of that. As far as the prescriptions go, those are unrelated to the Bipolar. He's also been diagnosed with hyper insomnia following multiple sleep studies and those seem to be the best medications he's been put on to regulate his sleep. His psychiatrist has had him try a variety of treatments for Bipolar including things like lithium and Lamictal, though he hasn't taken any for several weeks due to overwhelming negative side effects.

 

[Dondante]

Of course I don't know your brother or his psychiatrist, but that sounds fishy to me. There's no DSM diagnosis designated "atypical Bipolar I," nor is there one called "hyper insomnia." The DSM doesn't by any means reflect a perfect categorization of mental illness (it's pretty awful to be honest), but when we start making up diagnoses, they've lost their meaning completely. The term "bipolar disorder" gets thrown around carelessly enough these days, by psychiatrists and lay people alike. It's a major fad diagnosis and I don't trust it when I see it. I'm in psychiatry training, by the way, and see it a lot.

I guess the bottom line is that it's hard to say what to expect with your brother given that he's never had a manic episode. My sense is that stimulants, particularly MDMA, are worse in that department than psychedelics. If your brother is struggling with depression, anxiety, or other issues, psychedelics could exacerbate his problems if given in the wrong setting.