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DMT, Derealization, and Depersonalization

ecstaticintegration.org

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Re: DMT, Derealization, and Depersonalization

#71
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> You could say that about any medication with side effects, so really that statement doesn't say much. No you couldn't -- it depends how well the medication is understood/how much research exists. > I think a better rephrasing would be that these substances are powerful, should be treated with respect, and have the potential for harm if misused. Furthermore, I think that it should be said that learning to use them s…

Look, people have been using these substances for millennia to the degree that it is an integrated spiritual practice across a number of civilizations. I'm not sure why you want to ignore history to suit your narrative but it's telling that you're not engaging with it and it weakens your point. All you've illustrated is that /you/ don't know or care to find out about how the substance has been utilized. That has noth…

You're posting hearsay and anecdote and passing it off as "thousands of years of spiritual practice".

As I said, we don't have a good theory of why some people have lasting, negative side effects from using these drugs. Anyone claiming otherwise is just wrong. Dressing up your speculation with words like "integration, set/setting, mentors, etc" doesn't make it any less speculative. It's also obvious why you believe this stuff: because it makes you feel more secure in your own use of these substances. It's much harder to admit that you're rolling the dice when you fuck around with your brain chemistry.

Re: DMT, Derealization, and Depersonalization

#72
post #68
post #13

I'm not sure if I've had these exact experiences, but something related perhaps, albeit milder. When I was in my early twenties I consumed a lot of cannabis in the form of hash cakes one night and it triggered a panic attack. What was scary about the panic attack was this feeling of the world around me feeling dreamlike, or like I was in a dream I couldn't wake up from. It was like there's normally this safe ground w…

This is extremely similar to what happened to me. Antidepressants and CBT helped manage the anxiety and, 12 years later, I’m pretty much back to normal except for the ocasional manageable panic you describe and some baseline anxiety.

It's quite common I've gradually come to realise. Even within my friendship group, two people had these experiences.

Re: DMT, Derealization, and Depersonalization

#73
post #53

60% of posts in every HN thread about psychedelics are whackos peddling fake knowledge. To me, the interesting question is whether this special mix of new-age spiritual bullshit and two-points-make-a-line, post-hoc reasoning is caused by psychedelic-use or if people who think this way are merely attracted to drugs. Or both. Further research should hone in on this important question.

That's a bit over the top. It's just people having a conversation and sharing their experiences. Quite interesting to see that it's not that uncommon.

Is there selection bias here, with those reporting ill effects having a particular thinking style and interests? Sure, could be part of it. As you allude to, it's a complex topic, people will have these experiences for a variety of reasons and unpicking the various causes is probably very hard.

Re: DMT, Derealization, and Depersonalization

#74
post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Look, people have been using these substances for millennia to the degree that it is an integrated spiritual practice across a number of civilizations. I'm not sure why you want to ignore history to suit your narrative but it's telling that you're not engaging with it and it weakens your point. All you've illustrated is that /you/ don't know or care to find out about how the substance has been utilized. That has noth…

You're posting hearsay and anecdote and passing it off as "thousands of years of spiritual practice". As I said, we don't have a good theory of why some people have lasting, negative side effects from using these drugs. Anyone claiming otherwise is just wrong. Dressing up your speculation with words like "integration, set/setting, mentors, etc" doesn't make it any less speculative. It's also obvious why you believe t…

If you want to pass off your own ignorance as fact and speculate about my motivations, be my guest. No skin off of my back.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of experience, if any, do you have inside the field of managed healthcare?

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