Live data from Hacker News

Should We Loosen the Restrictions on Psychedelics?

blogs.scientificamerican.com

121–130 of 199 posts

Re: Should We Loosen the Restrictions on Psychedelics?

#121
post #5

Schedule 1 is clearly rediculous. I honestly think we need these powerful tools in therapeutic settings especially for addiction which is carving swathes through entire generations. I know multiple people who’ve gotten the ability and drive to grow past alcoholism using them, one can only hope it could be a tool for opiate addiction. Benefits for PTSD and traumatic experiences are practically proven at this point wit…

As a counterpoint, I know multiple people who became insane after trying LSD.

I thought I went insane from Psychedelics for about a decade.

Then I did them again in a therapeutic setting and realized I hadn’t a lot of unprocessed trauma that was causing the psychosis, depression, mania, etc.

A few theraptic sessions later, no longer diagnosable as schizophrenic, Biploar and no more suicidal ideation, anxiety, panic attacks, etc.

I’m one story, but my research indicates this is a viable path and I’m working on going back to school to be able to conduct research.

Re: Should We Loosen the Restrictions on Psychedelics?

#122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's no correlation, it can be a trigger, like giving birth can be a trigger. Let's make breeding illegal?

There is a correlation between people who develop serious mental illness and people who take LSD. The effect you are describing guarantees this (under very weak and sensible assumptions).

“New Studies Fail To Find Associations Between Psychedelic Drugs And Mental Health Problems“

http://www.iflscience.com/brain/new-studies-fail-find-associ...

Re: Should We Loosen the Restrictions on Psychedelics?

#123
post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can get certain psychedelics right now with absolutely no regulation, even children can do it: Walmart sells packets of ~60 morning glory seeds, it only takes a few hundred to have a pretty good high with visuals and everything. (use a coffee grinder because they’re hard enough to break your teeth and unlike LSD they will make you very nauseous) No one will stop you from buying these. Also, Mushrooms grow in the…

In my (rather extensive) experience, Psilocybe spp. are the safest psychedelics. LSD is generally harsher, especially at high doses. And peyote is harder on users GI tracts. But gathering Psilocybe spp. in the wild can be iffy. You're generally OK if they turn blue soon after bruising. Also, ones growing on cow shit don't taste very good :( Growing from spores isn't that hard. We used to grow them on cooked rice, in…

You can also use a food dehydrator provided you don't put the temperature too high. There's stores available who sell growkits. In The Netherlands, growkits, spores, and truffles are still legal (lol @ illegal spores, btw).

Re: Should We Loosen the Restrictions on Psychedelics?

#124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a counterpoint, I know multiple people who became insane after trying LSD.

I think the consensus is psychedelics can trigger or exacerbate mental illness you're already predisposed to. If your family has a history of mental illness you should probably avoid psychedelics. Even if they don't it might be wise to wait until your late 20s to see if any signs of mental illness appear. But that's not really any different than people predisposed to heart disease smoking or drinking alcohol or eatin…

“New Studies Fail To Find Associations Between Psychedelic Drugs And Mental Health Problems“

http://www.iflscience.com/brain/new-studies-fail-find-associ...

Re: Should We Loosen the Restrictions on Psychedelics?

#125
post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can get certain psychedelics right now with absolutely no regulation, even children can do it: Walmart sells packets of ~60 morning glory seeds, it only takes a few hundred to have a pretty good high with visuals and everything. (use a coffee grinder because they’re hard enough to break your teeth and unlike LSD they will make you very nauseous) No one will stop you from buying these. Also, Mushrooms grow in the…

>Walmart sells packets of ~60 morning glory seeds, it only takes a few hundred to have a pretty good high with visuals and everything. Stop believing the stuff you read online. If they are hallucinating, it's from the pesticides or the methylmercury coating the seeds as a fungicide combined with a heavy dose of placebo.

I've used 2 kinds of LSA approx 12 years ago, including morning glory. I can therefore tell you from personal experience that morning glory seeds are, in fact, hallucinogenic. But don't take my word from it. Just read it on Erowid or Wikipedia.

Re: Should We Loosen the Restrictions on Psychedelics?

#126
post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have plenty of experience with all kinds of psychedelics and don't think they should be available in your local corner store. Hard to explain why. I like to think I have a higher than average understanding about them and they've still dragged me through hell on one or two occasions. Holland already did this experiment since you used to be able to buy mushrooms over the counter. Quite a few tourists lost their minds…

> Anyway everyone knows you don't find acid, acid finds you. What does that mean?

It is difficult to obtain, and usually somebody offers it to you when you are not expecting it.

Re: Should We Loosen the Restrictions on Psychedelics?

#127
For me this is a simple philosophical question.

An adult should be allowed to do whatever s/he likes as long as it is not harming others. If harm to others is done - even under the influence - then punishment is due. But as long as somebody just does something in private - it must be okay.

I have plenty of experience with psychedlics - be it LSD, Psilocibin, DMT or 4-ACO-DMT. I know from own experience that a bad trip can be very unsettling. But as an adult it is first of all my right to take that risk and second of all it is a maturing experience.

The state should not be allowed to prohibit anything when done in private. The concepts behind drug prohibition are pretty much the same as behind prohibition of homosexual practices. People also say this should not be allowed because it is bad and young children will be molested etc pp.

Re: Should We Loosen the Restrictions on Psychedelics?

#128
post #64
post #42

After being prescribed benzos, SSRIs, etc. for years for coping with issues a single dose of psilocybin managed to wipe out in 3 hours, I say yes.

What about the people being prescribed benzos, SSRIs, etc. for life to cope with the issues brought on by a single does of psilocybin/LSD/salvia/DMT/etc?

Probably a bad idea to make those prescriptions.

Instead, they probably need to go deeper into the material that came up on the trip in a supportive setting (at least, that has worked for me a number of times).

Re: Should We Loosen the Restrictions on Psychedelics?

#129
post #35
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Growing up in Holland it was very difficult to get weed as a kid, because everyone just buys it at the store, which doesn't sell to minors. Cocaine, though, offered to me all the time!

Uhm... Same situation with alcohol or tobacco. It is very easy to find young adults or desperate people that will more than gladly buy you some for a share or some cash. Never seen cocaine though..

> Never seen cocaine though..

It tends to get snorted ;)

The problem with buying cocaine on the streets is that the quality is terrible (note: not anecdotal; I've never used cocaine AFAIK). The Dutch TV series Spuiten & Slikken (about sex & drugs, aimed at youth) broadcasted an item on that. The cocaine was ground up together with crap like washing powder, glass, and what have you.

Re: Should We Loosen the Restrictions on Psychedelics?

#130
post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They don't exist. Continuing to repeat reefer madness propaganda does not make it any more true. Show one scientific study that shows any long term effect from a single dose of any of your listed substances and I will be happy to take your comment seriously.

"Perceptual disturbances may last for 5 years or more and represent a real psychosocial distress. We reported here a case of a 18-year-old young man presenting HPPD after a mixed intoxication with psylocibin and cannabis. This report shows symptomatic recurrences persisting more than 8 months." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15963699 https://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/a-trip-that-doesnt-e... "Evidence suppo…

“New Studies Fail To Find Associations Between Psychedelic Drugs And Mental Health Problems“

http://www.iflscience.com/brain/new-studies-fail-find-associ...

Post reply on HN