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Psilocybin 'promising' for depression

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Psilocybin 'promising' for depression

#231

Post by awillen »

jasonwatkinspdx wrote: post #209
pbadenski wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This type of empty fear mongering comment is unhelpful at best. It's a McDonalds of a comment. What's a lot of people? Why are psychedelics so special compared to anything else (sugar, Facebook, gambling). "It doesn't happen to everyone, but it's common" - what does this even mean? "Common" based on what criterion? How should our behaviour as a society change based on your comment?

Psychedelics can definitely trigger or exacerbate mental health issues. A few years ago my group of friends lost someone to schizophrenia after he started micro-dosing LSD daily. I've tried many of these substances, and know people who have gone a lot further, so I'm not speaking out of ignorance here. There are risks to these things, and it's not a positive experience for everyone. Giving people a warning about that…

It's not a useful warning, though - what would someone do with that?

It's like saying "driving in a car is dangerous, and many people art hurt every year doing so." Okay, so what? Are you saying everyone should stop driving? It's just not useful - compare it to something like telling people to wear a seatbelt or pointing out that driving in particular conditions is especially dangerous. Those are things that we can use to drive more safely. Saying vaguely that driving can be dangerous doesn't serve any useful purpose.

Re: Psilocybin 'promising' for depression

#232

Post by whalesalad »

simmerup wrote: post #179
tzury wrote: post #162

I was not able to speak to my father, let alone staying in the same room were he was, for about 26 years (~18yr old till recently ~44yr). The background for this was my choice of leaving an ultra orthodox jewish community and going on my own. I recently tried that (after 3 years of hesitation) and the magic happened. It affected my structure of feelings in several ways indeed, but in the context of this one, I would…

What's your take on allowing a substance to change you so much?

You’re changing yourself. The substance is allowing the transformation to occur.

Re: Psilocybin 'promising' for depression

#233

Post by scruple »

simmerup wrote: post #179
tzury wrote: post #162

I was not able to speak to my father, let alone staying in the same room were he was, for about 26 years (~18yr old till recently ~44yr). The background for this was my choice of leaving an ultra orthodox jewish community and going on my own. I recently tried that (after 3 years of hesitation) and the magic happened. It affected my structure of feelings in several ways indeed, but in the context of this one, I would…

What's your take on allowing a substance to change you so much?

I had a very bad trip, my last trip, and it took me years to recover. That was > 2 decades ago.

It's my opinion that we need to recognize that these substances have the power to modify us in extremely powerful, unknown ways. And we need to create a safe environment (how? I do not know, probably regulation, but after seeing how California is handling "legal weed," I am not holding my breath) for people to use these substances in a safe way.

> What's your take on allowing a substance to change you so much?

In the end, it was still positive. But I wouldn't recommend the path that I walked with psychedelics to anyone, regardless of where it brought me. If I had been better educated, more informed, purchasing from a reputable source, etc... I imagine that things would've been vastly different for me than they were.

Re: Psilocybin 'promising' for depression

#234

Post by [deleted] »

ceilingcorner wrote: post #9

I don’t want to live in a world where the solution to depression (caused by governments, politicians, or general existence in the modern capitalist world) is a drug. Not a good idea. Instead, figure out why depression has increased so dramatically in the last ~century and address that.

[deleted]

Re: Psilocybin 'promising' for depression

#235

Post by quchen »

yeswecatan wrote: post #214
tzury wrote: post #162

I was not able to speak to my father, let alone staying in the same room were he was, for about 26 years (~18yr old till recently ~44yr). The background for this was my choice of leaving an ultra orthodox jewish community and going on my own. I recently tried that (after 3 years of hesitation) and the magic happened. It affected my structure of feelings in several ways indeed, but in the context of this one, I would…

This sounds so amazing. I'd probably never try mushrooms though because I'm terrified of them rewiring my brain in some messed up way.

In my experience, »mushrooms rewire you« does not really do them justice: they mostly help you rewire yourself; more like changing habits (internal) rather than surgery (external).

Here’s a personal example: a couple of years ago I had a very rough breakup, but over the years came to terms with it. More than 3 years later, I internally »met« my ex in a psychedelic dream-like state, both were happy with our new lives, and we said goodbye to each other. It was calm and peaceful. It was also the first positive thought I’ve had about her, undiluted by lingering negativity. I was not rewired, but it allowed me to think a thought I did not think I could ever have, and changed my outlook on the whole situation.

(It was a dose on the low-medium end, and I haven’t attempted repeating it, nor do I plan to.)

Re: Psilocybin 'promising' for depression

#236

Post by tick_tock_tick »

bigfudge wrote: post #208
vmception wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even with cannabis, states have no FDA that is prepared to do studies and I just wish a basic level of known side effects were listed from the actual FDA which they do for studied and much more harmful drugs, because they were studied When you add all the other scheduled drugs that have no state level recreational framework, then you no studies and you also have a compounded supply chain problem where nobody knows wh…

> There are molecule combinations out there which can cause instant parkinson’s disease Is this real or exaggeration for effect? It sounds implausible...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prion

It's not instant but it's very scary stuff and 100% incurable.

Re: Psilocybin 'promising' for depression

#237

Post by varispeed »

zepto wrote: post #222
varispeed wrote: post #197

I think the people behind drug prohibition need reckoning. They have caused untold suffering, especially by preventing people from accessing medication they needed. There is no justification for drug prohibition to continue. If anyone thinks otherwise, then it only means they have not educated themselves enough about the topic, they profit from the current status quo or simply they take pleasure in causing suffering…

No justification for prohibition, but quite possibly justification for regulation.

Yes the market should be regulated. Some substances can be more dangerous than others so there should be adequate restrictions and support plus raised tax could help with mental health services and education to ensure people can make informed decisions and also receive help if they get it wrong.

Re: Psilocybin 'promising' for depression

#238

Post by goodpoint »

quchen wrote: post #226
goodpoint wrote: post #217

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> drugs should be an occasional party thing Please don't! If all this research thought us anything, it's that powerful substances are emotional surgery. Not something to attempt in an unsafe environment.

On the contrary, parties can be very safe environments. Much like there are better and worse places to drink, there are better and worse places for taking other drugs. A lot of factors play into the setting. Music is very often a plus, feelings of freedom, being outside, good weather, like-minded people – relaxed open air festivals make for a good example.

You are missing my point. That's exactly what I'm saying: a trusted environment with trusted people VS people taking random substances in a random disco.

Re: Psilocybin 'promising' for depression

#239

Post by jasonwatkinspdx »

awillen wrote: post #231
jasonwatkinspdx wrote: post #209

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Psychedelics can definitely trigger or exacerbate mental health issues. A few years ago my group of friends lost someone to schizophrenia after he started micro-dosing LSD daily. I've tried many of these substances, and know people who have gone a lot further, so I'm not speaking out of ignorance here. There are risks to these things, and it's not a positive experience for everyone. Giving people a warning about that…

It's not a useful warning, though - what would someone do with that? It's like saying "driving in a car is dangerous, and many people art hurt every year doing so." Okay, so what? Are you saying everyone should stop driving? It's just not useful - compare it to something like telling people to wear a seatbelt or pointing out that driving in particular conditions is especially dangerous. Those are things that we can u…

Because many people in this thread have no knowledge or experience with these substances, so giving them accurate information is useful. I'd say it's even necessary given there's a group of enthusiasts that very clearly over hype the benefits and make absurd claims like it's impossible to have a bad time, to over use them, etc. I want people to have a balanced view of what they may be interested in trying, vs that nonsense. Otherwise they're possibly setting themselves up for a bad trip at the least.

Re: Psilocybin 'promising' for depression

#240

Post by randomopining »

It emotionally attaches you to this world, which you belong in. You feel a connection to the eb and flow of the world, which I think depressed people lose. They get caught in their sole perception of their world, caused by neuroticism and past traumas. The brain pathways are hit hard every day, so it's tough for them to get out of it. This substance can be like a tsunami that washes it all away.
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