Why did it take psychedelics so long to become popular? • Hacker News Board

Re: Why did it take psychedelics so long to become popular?

#61

Post by DirkH » Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 5:14 PM UTC

throwawa14223 wrote: post #23

[flagged]

"So many people don't do it because they recognize the dangers and if you do do it you will forever be changed and be a different person for the worse. Don't become a bad person so you would be stupid to take psychedelics."

This comment here supports my social stigma hypothesis as the actual reason people don't take psychedelics as much.

Remove unfounded stigma not supported by the neuroscience literature (my strong anti-drug stance literally switched in university when my neuroscience professor pointed out how completely divorced drug legality is from their health affects) and we will all see more widespread usage.

Re: Why did it take psychedelics so long to become popular?

#62

Post by NeuNeurosis » Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 5:15 PM UTC

scyzoryk_xyz wrote: post #11

I have been partaking in them for the majority of my adult life. Looking at this data I’m surprised the number is not higher - 8%. My own impression is that it’s taking so long because even people familiar with them, like me, don’t actually reach for them all that often. They’re not habit forming. And talking about psychedelic experiences is a bit like talking about your dreams - it’s boring and personal.

So you mention that its "like talking about dreams - it's boring and personal", why do you describe it like that? Are you not interested in others inner lives? Do you think people aren't interested in your own inner life? I have always had the opposite experience that peoples journeys from dreams, trips, spiritual experiences are the most profoundly interesting experiences someone can share with me. I have seen your opinion mirrored by others and am always taken back by that attitude that what is personal is not interesting.

Re: Why did it take psychedelics so long to become popular?

#63

Post by clsec » Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 5:15 PM UTC

badcppdev wrote: post #18

Dig the real results man: https://monitoringthefuture.org/results/press-releases/

Yeah, if the article posted had been accurate the headline would have been: "Why did it take psychedelics, other than LSD, so long to become popular?"

Here's the outline of the study* from UoM: https://news.umich.edu/hallucinogen-use-other-than-lsd-on-th...

*the actual study link is in the UoM outline

Re: Why did it take psychedelics so long to become popular?

#64

Post by treis » Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 5:16 PM UTC

whalesalad wrote: post #49

cm2012 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

100% agree based on my experiences with psychadelic enthusiasts.

So you've formed a critical opinion of psychedelics without having tried them, based only on knowing enthusiasts? This would be like hating crossfit just because you know an annoying crossfitter, or vegan food just because you know an obnoxious vegan.

It's not clear why I shouldn't do that. If a significant chunk of people that do Crossfit or are Vegan are insufferable I'd avoid them lest I too became insufferable.

The only reason not to would be something like sampling bias where you identify the 1% that are insufferable but don't see the 99% that aren't.

Re: Why did it take psychedelics so long to become popular?

#65

Post by giantg2 » Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 5:22 PM UTC

mrob wrote: post #37

giantg2 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't LSD easy to make if you have a high school level of understanding of chemistry? Not as easy as growing shrooms, but still it shouldn't be as hard as cooking meth.

The opposite is true. Methamphetamine can be made with high school level chemistry, while LSD is a comparatively difficult synthesis. LSD precursor chemicals are also much harder to acquire.

Oh, I guess I got them backwards.

Re: Why did it take psychedelics so long to become popular?

#66

Post by bnjms » Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 5:22 PM UTC

cm2012 wrote: post #8

seeknotfind wrote: post #2

Dismissing possible negative effects of psychedelics with a comparison to caffeine and nicotine feels off. Psychedelics are much more intense than either - on a different scale, to the point they are emotionally draining. Otherwise, I can dig it. There are a variety of factors.

I don't want to try it because of risk to my mental health. The 40+ year old psychedelic enthusiasts I know are just not all there. Plus it can trigger schizophrenia, etc.

I think about what drug caused the burned out hippie vibe and between weed and psychedelics I think it’s the psychedelics. I think that because any drug that helps one draw new connections eventually starts drawing potential connections that aren’t there resulting in needing excess consideration.

I’m pro psychedelic legalization and think they should be available behind the counter. I just also think they should be feared and thought of as medicine.

Re: Why did it take psychedelics so long to become popular?

#67

Post by bnjms » Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 5:29 PM UTC

CephalopodMD wrote: post #59

soligern wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The overall usage in the population is low because psychedelics are unpredictable. They can have long term effects on the human psyche and there is a correctly ingrained notion in society that they are dangerous to a stable mindset.

Can I get a source on that last claim? The only real long term dangers of psychedelics would be impaired driving while under the influence (obviously) and increased likelyhood of psychosis if you were already predisposed to schizophrenia or bipolar. "Dangerous to a stable mindset" what does that even mean? Is that supposed to sound scientific?

Is it not? Psychedelics are being tested for treating PTSD. What is chronic PTSD other than a stable mindset? The point of psychedelic treatment being to destabilize an unwanted mindset.

Re: Why did it take psychedelics so long to become popular?

#68

Post by whalesalad » Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 5:35 PM UTC

treis wrote: post #64

whalesalad wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you've formed a critical opinion of psychedelics without having tried them, based only on knowing enthusiasts? This would be like hating crossfit just because you know an annoying crossfitter, or vegan food just because you know an obnoxious vegan.

It's not clear why I shouldn't do that. If a significant chunk of people that do Crossfit or are Vegan are insufferable I'd avoid them lest I too became insufferable. The only reason not to would be something like sampling bias where you identify the 1% that are insufferable but don't see the 99% that aren't.

> The only reason not to would be something like sampling bias where you identify the 1% that are insufferable but don't see the 99% that aren't.

bingo.

Re: Why did it take psychedelics so long to become popular?

#69

Post by treis » Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 5:36 PM UTC

bnjms wrote: post #67

CephalopodMD wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can I get a source on that last claim? The only real long term dangers of psychedelics would be impaired driving while under the influence (obviously) and increased likelyhood of psychosis if you were already predisposed to schizophrenia or bipolar. "Dangerous to a stable mindset" what does that even mean? Is that supposed to sound scientific?

Is it not? Psychedelics are being tested for treating PTSD. What is chronic PTSD other than a stable mindset? The point of psychedelic treatment being to destabilize an unwanted mindset.

I don't think I'd put it that way. They make you more receptive to/show you different perspectives that you would not experience sober. You're supposed to return to sobriety with the same stable mindset plus a new perspective to consider. Hopefully that combo leads to new and better behaviors in the future.

Re: Why did it take psychedelics so long to become popular?

#70

Post by kinakomochidayo » Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 5:38 PM UTC

hcks wrote: post #60

throwawa14223 wrote: post #23

[flagged]

Why is this being downvoted? Psychedelic users keep rambling about their substances alleged wonders but in real life every “acid enthusiast” I met is heavily dysfunctional in some way.

Addicts usually have underlying childhood and/or adult traumas to numb their pain so it isn’t surprising.

But surprisingly, if used in the right context, intentions and dose, psychedelics can help with the underlying traumas and addictions. Especially Ayahuasca, MDMA and psilocybin.