Psychedelics and Health Benefits

[helium-4]

Yes but many man made drugs are only tested if they solve a problem, they do not study any long term effects on other damage done to the body. For example most psychedelics would not cause kidney failure as some over-the-counter drugs such as asprin do. [look here for details]

You clearly have no understand of how pharmacology works. Drugs are meticulously tested and studied for years and years before they are even tested on humans. The tests on humans also take years. The average time for a drug to be released on the market is I believe 9 years after conception. They wouldn't release a drug on the market unless the benefits out weigh the negatives.

Also psychedelics aren't immune to producing health problems. Don't be so blind.

Man made drugs kill us faster? WTF? Our life expectancy has drastically increased over the last 100 years due to these so called man made drugs! Not to mention that many of these man made drugs come from natural sources, not that, that makes a difference...

Something being synthesized or being found natural doesn't make a difference to the body. Don't pretend it does.

It is also funny that you think just because it is natural that it is safe. There are tons of things out there (plants) that would kill you if you tried to consume them.

 

[That-Strange-Guy]

I just don't think they should feed us things such as aspirin without a warning label that states "WARNING: may cause kidney failure." they wont do this because it will lower sales.

Also I don't know if this is true but I have read several articles stating that the swine flu was purposely spread by scientists to see how fast they can contain a global scale virus.

To me it sounds like we are getting a little carried away with our power, and it seems more and more drugs are being taken off shelves due to long term studies ect.

I'm not saying we are doing a bad thing, I think we are just being a tad bit care-less.

And as I have stated earlier, how recent has science had control over sickness and disease? Not that long, but yet shaman healers have been fighting illness and disease for hundreds and hundreds of years with positive results. And its not like you can take a wild guess at 2 plants in a rain-forest and hope if you brew them in a tea than it will cure this unknown illness, no they have learned through trial and error and passed it down over generations, more generations than modern medical science.

 

[RhythmSpring]

A "which is better, modern medicine or ancient herbal medicine" debate cannot be resolved here, or probably anywhere else.

I will say, though, that contrary to our daily mode of thinking, there isn't really a line between mind and body. So many physical maladies are extremely intertwined with the psychological. I won't try to convince you of this fact, but I will say that I am consistently reminded of this fact.

...Which means that a psychological healing may lead to a related physical healing. Of course, that isn't the only way in which a psychedelic has an impact on the body, but it is one route.

Our body chemistry is infinitely complex, like our emotions.

 

[shulsd33]

Psychedelics are AMAZING healing tools. I have a friend who was actually cured of his learning disability through LSD use.

Okay, well maybe it wasn't completely cured, but the gains made were much more than any pharmaceutical or mainstream therapy has provided him.

My friend C. was raised by a very wealthy family who had enough money to pave a smooth road ahead of him all his life. This made it very difficult for him to build his own identity and he was trapped in the shell has parents had built him to be.

C. was diagnosed with ADHD and Executive Functioning Disorder towards the end of high school. Despite this disorder, he was accepted by and enrolled in one of the top universities in the country. His doctor had him on a high dose regimen of stimulants (3x 25mg Adderall a day!) through his sophomore year of college, when things started to take a negative turn. Compounding his issues, the doctors now though he had OCD. Halfway through his second semester, he was pulled out of school on medical leave to work on his issues. Of course, for someone with C.'s personality this was an incredibly traumatic event.

Upon his return to school in the fall he had a renewed motivation to do well in school, although he still was suffering from many of the same problems, to a lesser extent. His doctor switched his medication to lisdexamphetamine (aka Vyvanse) which eliminated some of the bad side effects of that the doctors had interpreted as OCD.

Right before C. left on medical leave, he and I tried LSD for the first time. I had an incredible first trip, LSD showed me all the wonder and beauty in the world. However, with all of C.'s problems at the time, he was never able to let himself relax and appreciate the trip. One thing that did make an impression on him though was MY experience. He was the potential and was determined to try again.

That fall when we returned to campus, we were in luck. LSD was plentiful! The previous year we struggled to find 4 or 5 hits, but now vials of liquid made their way into our circle. C. tripped with me maybe 5 times, each one better than the last for him. Finally, one night we made a breakthrough. A little bit of MDMA powder on top of the LSD was all he needed to SHATTER his defenses. The trip started off less than ideal, C. was very tense and was developing a headache during the come up. Once we were firmly in acid-land we took the molly, and I watched all of his defenses fall apart all at once. The next six hours were spent sitting in my room just talking. C. finally was able to open up and spoke about some of his deepest secrets and issues, things he's never told anyone before.

The LSD allowed him to see his problems, the MDMA allowed him to confront them. Combined, it made for a very productive therapy session.

A few weeks later, C. went back to his doctor and had the whole battery of tests done again. However the results this time were astonishing. His executive functioning had greatly improved and many of his ADHD symptoms were also improved. So much so that he no longer qualified for the disability accommodations provided by the school. He is now working with his doctor to get off of the amphetamines.

I can't say for sure that it was the psychedelics that caused such a dramatic reversal of his symptoms, but after researching the therapeutic potential of psychedelics I am confident that they played a major role in his recovery.

 

[Mjäll]

A "which is better, modern medicine or ancient herbal medicine" debate cannot be resolved here, or probably anywhere else.

I will say, though, that contrary to our daily mode of thinking, there isn't really a line between mind and body. So many physical maladies are extremely intertwined with the psychological. I won't try to convince you of this fact, but I will say that I am consistently reminded of this fact.

...Which means that a psychological healing may lead to a related physical healing. Of course, that isn't the only way in which a psychedelic has an impact on the body, but it is one route.

Our body chemistry is infinitely complex, like our emotions.

I share your view that the mind and body are probably more intertwined than according to common belief today.

I don't appreciate your harsh tone earlier, in reply to my first post in this thread, however. You seem to be a bit too wound up on your beliefs to even acknowledge the possibility of a conflicting theory. For example, all your anecdotal evidence might actually be coincidences or cases of metaprogramming to get around the symptoms of physical maladies (which, grantedly, would be a phenomenon in its own right). And even if a psychedelic has cured someone for real, the mechanism behind this might be distinct from the mechanism that causes psychoactivity. There are many possibilities and it's unnessecary to close off several just because you have seen it happen and want to believe.

 

[pseudononamouse]

I will say, though, that contrary to our daily mode of thinking, there isn't really a line between mind and body. So many physical maladies are extremely intertwined with the psychological. I won't try to convince you of this fact, but I will say that I am consistently reminded of this fact.

This is my hypothesis as to why peyote and ayahuasca have been used by their respective cultures for so many medical issues. I hypothesize that psychedelics amplify the placebo effect. I would love to see studies done about this (like one group given a drug known to help a given issue, one given just a placebo, and one given a placebo and a psychedelic).

 

[Mjäll]

It's interesting to speculate whether natural psychedelics such as ayahuasca, peyote or mushrooms contain some other non-psychoative alkaloids whose beneficial actions in vito are catalyzed by the psychedelic effect on the nervous system. Anyone with medical knowledge; could this be or is it just far-out?

 

[complacent orange]

I interpret mind and body as extensions of the same source. It is a realization, awareness, and intimacy with this source which psychedelics facilitate. With this awareness comes a new understanding of both the mind and body. With a new understanding of the mind and body comes new thoughts and new actions. Thoughts affect actions, and actions affect thoughts, playing and interacting with each other. If the relationship with the source is changed, then thoughts and actions are changed, and one is changed both physically and psychologically.

During one of my first few LSD trips I experienced pain in my lower leg muscles and ankles specifically. My friend explained, "You're using muscles you didn't know you had". I found after more experience, that I sit, stand, walk, and carry myself differently. I am now more inclined towards certain physical tendencies, a different *physical* focus and flow. This was most noticeable in my skateboarding. I noticed a definite difference in my pre-trip and post-trip routine and repertoire of tricks. I began unconsciously (whatever that means) incorporating patterns, curves, and flowing motions. I landed differently, my stance changed, my center of balance, etc. etc.

Psychedelics in general and mushrooms decisively led me to stop eating meat. Also, I acquired an intuitive understanding of nutrition and exercise.

The most strictly physical health benefit I notice from psychedelics is the alteration of breathing patterns. Before I had ever tripped I had practiced breathing based meditation. I would practice mindful breathing, try to keep my breathe slow, natural and steady. When I took acid for the first time I was amazed- mindful, meditative breathing was natural and inherent. My breathing capacity seemed infinitely expanded, and it was actually difficult and counter-intuitive to allow my breathe to return to its quick and shallow previous setting. Surely this is not "purely psychological" in cause or effect? The breathe is an essential component of physical health. Pranayama, for example, is an essential aspect of Yoga.

 

[shulsd33]

It's interesting to speculate whether natural psychedelics such as ayahuasca, peyote or mushrooms contain some other non-psychoative alkaloids whose beneficial actions in vito are catalyzed by the psychedelic effect on the nervous system. Anyone with medical knowledge; could this be or is it just far-out?

Actually, it's not that far out at all. I remember reading somewhere that THH, tetrahydroharmine, has been shown to increase serotonin receptor density in certain areas of the brain. THH is one of the alkaloids found in B. Caapi, used in ayahuasca. I'll see if I can find the source again, but what this means is that ayahuasca can actually have long term health benefits in reducing depression.

I wonder if a THH or ayahuasca regimen can be used to combat the long term damage done by MDMA abuse....


EDIT: This isn't the original source, but it does address the same question:

http://www.ayahuasca.com/spirit/ayahuasca-neurogenesis-and-depression/

 

[RhythmSpring]

^ I notice direct effects on breathing, too, so far with every psychedelic that I've tried. Sometimes the increase in lung capacity and more relaxed breathing will hit me even before the main psychological effects hit me.

Hmmm. It is occurring to me that we might understand the term "health benefits" as something that is a cure to a pre-existing disease. But that is not necessarily so. I think psychedelics might just in general increase harmony and communication between the mind and body, and within the body and within the mind, however 'new-agey' that sounds.

(By the way if anyone wants to speak new-agey here, you're more than welcome. You're entitled to your viewpoint. Chi, psychospiritual energy, chakras, etc. I think that stuff can offer insight into the psychedelic action.)

 

[swilow]

All the benefits I've attained are psychologcal, but seeing as the brain is a physcal organ of the body, I don't think theres is much difference between physcal or psychological gain.

For me, its involved a release of bad memories into my conciousness, which accompanied severe PTSD, which was resolved by physically ingesting lotsa psychedelics and facing the facts.

So instead of walking around not able to breathe, having a racng mind, sweating, anxious/paranoid, I simply walk. I would suggest that immersion in a glutaminegic state (as done on psyches) has "allowed" my brain to use GABA in a more efficent way.

Or maybe I just got better

 

[hendrix62892]

i dont have them but lsd and mushrooms are used to quite frequently for cluster headaches with quite a bit of success.bromo-lsd is also being looked at,but beings as its illegal via the analog act and non-psychedelic i think itll be a long time before we see any more human trials.

 

[That-Strange-Guy]

When I am sick with a cold or the flu it normally is forgotten when I begin to trip, also I can smoke marijuana / hash / oil that would normally make me cough like its nothing. For example on LSD I can clear a 6 foot bong and not cough, but when im sober I know my lungs are worn out so I will cough like hell.

[may add to this when I think about it more]

 

[hendrix62892]

thats incredible,everytime i smoke while tripping i can take the fattest rips ever too.i wonder why this is ? all of my psychonaunt friends have noticed the same thing as well

 

[RhythmSpring]

^ ^

Going along this mind-body oneness thing...
Psychedelics break down psychological defenses--so it would be safe to say that they inhibit physical defenses as well. Examples of this:

not feeling one iota of annoyance against mosquitos sucking my blood on mushrooms
allergies disappearing while on MDMA
the abovementioned cough reflex suppression (hey, DXM!)
the fact that psychedelics temporarily suppress the immune system
pupil dilation (not reacting to too much light) (take that as you will )
...anyone got any more?

Also, your 'fattest rips' may be due to deeper breathing, which is without fail always a pleasant effect of all my psychedelic experiences.

 

[RhythmSpring]

"
On the other hand, there's a long history of peyote's use as a folk medicine in northern Mexico. Mexicans have been using peyote as a cure-all for rheumatism, arthritis and other ailments for centuries. They drink it in teas or rub it directly on the skin.
"

I have to look into this. They all refer to it as "medicine." No one says "peyote."

 

[jouka]

You clearly have no understand of how pharmacology works. Drugs are meticulously tested and studied for years and years before they are even tested on humans. The tests on humans also take years. The average time for a drug to be released on the market is I believe 9 years after conception. They wouldn't release a drug on the market unless the benefits out weigh the negatives.

Sure modern drugs have their place but I totally disagree that they are properly studied.I have come to conclusion that drug companies use citizens as labrats with the approval from fda. Really theyre safety standards are amazingly low.

It doesn't matter for them if new compound causes severe long lasting or permanent "side effects" for some % of users.

They are not side effects for some who ingest the new synthetic compounds.they are the main effects for many.

Really the "side-effect" list is ridiculous on some drugs that fda thinks are safe enough. Some percent of users always get some of the effects and together it's alot of people.

I have witnessed severe ototoxicity caused permanent balance problems as well as
long lasting hormonal imbalance of fda approved drugs.

How beautiful and delicate our bodys balance is!
It takes just a tiny bit of poison for the sensitive people to throw their life to garbage can.

I would advice to think many,many times and to find out yourself if doctor tries to prescribe new drug for you.

 

[Delsyd]

i play hacky sack better when im on 2c's