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LSD 'microdosing' is trending in Silicon Valley

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Re: LSD 'microdosing' is trending in Silicon Valley

#41
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your last paragraph contradicts your first -- top athletes doping do get performance gains, while your first paragraph seems to indicate you don't think that small doses of LSD are effective (for the people taking them). I get you might be against performance enhancing drugs wholesale, but there's nothing "inherently wrong" with taking a chemical to perform better. If anything, it should be a personal choice, like wo…

>There's nothing inherently wrong with the drug, but there's something inherently wrong with the behavior around it, by people who are so desperate for edge. Down that road ultimately lies Lance Armstrong, and East German women with beards. In other words, if you're desperate for an edge and willing to spend money, compromise your health and integrity for it, then you'll eventually move on from expensive bullshit lik…

Why is microdosing LSD compromising health? There is no evidence for that

Re: LSD 'microdosing' is trending in Silicon Valley

#42
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I cannot agree with this enough. I have a very very very rigid morning routine that includes deep breathing and internal listening. I started doing this when DigitalOcean began to scale and my Dr. prescribed Fluoxetine, I learned about meditation for concentration and creativity. Not only was I able to manage my stress better and curb my adderall usage, but I also became more focused and sharper. Edit: I've tried all…

Can you suggest where one can start learning "how" to meditate?

I liked _Mindfulness in Plain English_: http://www.vipassana.com/meditation/mindfulness_in_plain_eng...

Re: LSD 'microdosing' is trending in Silicon Valley

#43
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your last paragraph contradicts your first -- top athletes doping do get performance gains, while your first paragraph seems to indicate you don't think that small doses of LSD are effective (for the people taking them). I get you might be against performance enhancing drugs wholesale, but there's nothing "inherently wrong" with taking a chemical to perform better. If anything, it should be a personal choice, like wo…

>There's nothing inherently wrong with the drug, but there's something inherently wrong with the behavior around it, by people who are so desperate for edge. Down that road ultimately lies Lance Armstrong, and East German women with beards. In other words, if you're desperate for an edge and willing to spend money, compromise your health and integrity for it, then you'll eventually move on from expensive bullshit lik…

I get why an athlete that uses drugs for an edge can be considered to be compromising their integrity. But how does that translate to micro dosing LSD while working? (regardless of it being effective or not).

Re: LSD 'microdosing' is trending in Silicon Valley

#44
I'll stick to meditation, yoga, and the occasional premium IPA. I do understand the compelling nature of chemical enhancement - especially for creative endevours. David Bowie cranked out amazing albums year-after-year while high on coke. But like usual, it became a problem he had to address.

Re: LSD 'microdosing' is trending in Silicon Valley

#45

How about not? Drugs still have incredibly harmful effects. Some people take trips and never come back off these drugs. Imagine going to work in the morning on a supposed "micro"dose just to realize you had an overdose and end up in a psych ward for two weeks. You'll also likely lose your job as most tech companies have no drug in the workplace policies... This is just another BS article from someone who knows nothin…

Mostly out of ignorance many people abuse drugs, use them casually, without any respect for them or much knowledge either of how to use them or their dangers, believe in all sorts of myths about them, and even use them in self-destructive ways. Then they blame their negative experiences on the drugs.

It is possible to use psychedelic drugs constructively, in positive settings, and with knowledgeable sitters who can provide support when needed. Studies have shown time and again that such an approach maximizes the chance of very positive, profound experiences that are highly valued by the subjects for many years. That doesn't mean the experiences are risk-free. One could have a negative experience even when one has prepared thoroughly. But even negative experiences can be valuable if one faces them and tries to learn from them.

One other thing we should recognize is that people are going to alter their consciousness somehow. It seems to be a fundamental human need. The "just say no" approach does not work for a significant proportion of the population. Wagging fingers at that population and continuing to tell them "just say no" can even be counter-productive, as what is forbidden often becomes more alluring. Much more constructive and helpful is teaching people how to use these substances in a healthy, positive, and non-destructive way.

Re: LSD 'microdosing' is trending in Silicon Valley

#46
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>There's nothing inherently wrong with the drug, but there's something inherently wrong with the behavior around it, by people who are so desperate for edge. Down that road ultimately lies Lance Armstrong, and East German women with beards. In other words, if you're desperate for an edge and willing to spend money, compromise your health and integrity for it, then you'll eventually move on from expensive bullshit lik…

Why is microdosing LSD compromising health? There is no evidence for that

Asking questions of dissonance leads to more dissonance. :)

Re: LSD 'microdosing' is trending in Silicon Valley

#47
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your last paragraph contradicts your first -- top athletes doping do get performance gains, while your first paragraph seems to indicate you don't think that small doses of LSD are effective (for the people taking them). I get you might be against performance enhancing drugs wholesale, but there's nothing "inherently wrong" with taking a chemical to perform better. If anything, it should be a personal choice, like wo…

>There's nothing inherently wrong with the drug, but there's something inherently wrong with the behavior around it, by people who are so desperate for edge. Down that road ultimately lies Lance Armstrong, and East German women with beards. In other words, if you're desperate for an edge and willing to spend money, compromise your health and integrity for it, then you'll eventually move on from expensive bullshit lik…

I just wanted to add nootropics to the conversation. They weren't mentioned in the article which is weird because it would fit as a legal substitute within the behavior. I don't know anything about it though.

Re: LSD 'microdosing' is trending in Silicon Valley

#48
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Some people take trips and never come back off these drugs What? Hallucinogens don't cause physical dependency and tolerance builds quickly so psychological habits are hard to form as well.

HPPD is definitely a real thing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucinogen_persisting_percep... And there is some evidence that taking psychedelics can precipitate long lasting or even chronic psychosis in those with genetic predispositions I interpreted what they said as a reflection of those facts, though you are correct that risk of dependence is relatively low

How do you know HPPD's occur when regularly taking microdoses instead of regal perception changing doses? It hasn't been investigated and I haven't read about it in anecdotal reports

Re: LSD 'microdosing' is trending in Silicon Valley

#49
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>There's nothing inherently wrong with the drug, but there's something inherently wrong with the behavior around it, by people who are so desperate for edge. Down that road ultimately lies Lance Armstrong, and East German women with beards. In other words, if you're desperate for an edge and willing to spend money, compromise your health and integrity for it, then you'll eventually move on from expensive bullshit lik…

Why is microdosing LSD compromising health? There is no evidence for that

I'm not sure there is or isn't evidence but if you study the brain I think you can come to some plausible conclusions that it does compromise health to some extent.

Re: LSD 'microdosing' is trending in Silicon Valley

#50
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>There's nothing inherently wrong with the drug, but there's something inherently wrong with the behavior around it, by people who are so desperate for edge. Down that road ultimately lies Lance Armstrong, and East German women with beards. In other words, if you're desperate for an edge and willing to spend money, compromise your health and integrity for it, then you'll eventually move on from expensive bullshit lik…

Why is microdosing LSD compromising health? There is no evidence for that

I would put that into the "Copper wristband" category. Meanwhile Modafinil...
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