Psychedelics in problem-solving experiment
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Psychedelics in problem-solving experiment
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Re: Psychedelics in problem-solving experiment
#2Googling around turned up some pretty interesting results from programmers specifically: http://www.reddit.com/r/Psychonaut/comments/1n93n4/the_lsd_m...
Re: Psychedelics in problem-solving experiment
#3If you're interested in the topic, I highly recommend the book "What the Dormouse Said", which explores amongst other things the impact of psychedelics on computing.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_the_Dormouse_Said
Timothy Leary also has a chapter in "The Art of HCI design" in which he explores parallels between psychedelics and computer interaction.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Human-Computer-Interface-Desig...
Re: Psychedelics in problem-solving experiment
#4Googling around turned up some pretty interesting results from programmers specifically: http://www.reddit.com/r/Psychonaut/comments/1n93n4/the_lsd_m...
Given the subtlety of the effects, I would like to see blinded washout crossover.
Re: Psychedelics in problem-solving experiment
#5If you're interested in the topic, I highly recommend the book "What the Dormouse Said", which explores amongst other things the impact of psychedelics on computing. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_the_Dormouse_Said Timothy Leary also has a chapter in "The Art of HCI design" in which he explores parallels between psychedelics and computer interaction. http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Human-Computer-Interface-Desig..…
I came here to mention the first title. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but as I recall LSD not only reached the computer scientists early on, it more or less was introduced via such academic circles.
The other day I reflected on the fact that the project I have been working on for the last 3 years have such strong connections with my first psychedelic experience. Sometimes I wonder about the worth those things, questioning what ultimately can be gained from that so-called ineffable, even as a source of inspiration. And I'm the first one to trivialize it too, to debunk it as pretty much any intoxication. But then again, you can shrug it off, it doesn't hurt you, or change you: it's only significant if you are open to it. So it just seems to me that it would be silly to be cynical about something like that, to doubt the good of something that really just opens your mind a bit.
Re: Psychedelics in problem-solving experiment
#6Some people have experimented with micro-dosing (~0.1 to 0.2g dry of) psilocybin mushrooms at shroomery.org, especially: http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/17315584... . He seems to have observed an increase in focus and productivity at work (editor of some kind). Unfortunately he stopped posting abruptly.
Re: Psychedelics in problem-solving experiment
#7Some people have experimented with micro-dosing (~0.1 to 0.2g dry of) psilocybin mushrooms at shroomery.org, especially: http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/17315584... . He seems to have observed an increase in focus and productivity at work (editor of some kind). Unfortunately he stopped posting abruptly.
> he stopped posting abruptly...
That is the slight problem, mega-dosing types have probably independently arrived at some coherent theory of everything many times yet not got as far as writing it down. The 'increased focus...' is probably comparing micro- to mega- dosing, not 'reality'.
At least the Beatles were able to complete albums with words written whilst off their trolleys, few others seem to manage it. Really if there is to be research in the wonders of various psycho-active drugs, the hard part, writing it down, in a form that makes sense in the 'real world' is where research needs to be conducted.
Re: Psychedelics in problem-solving experiment
#8Some people have experimented with micro-dosing (~0.1 to 0.2g dry of) psilocybin mushrooms at shroomery.org, especially: http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/17315584... . He seems to have observed an increase in focus and productivity at work (editor of some kind). Unfortunately he stopped posting abruptly.
> he stopped posting abruptly... That is the slight problem, mega-dosing types have probably independently arrived at some coherent theory of everything many times yet not got as far as writing it down. The 'increased focus...' is probably comparing micro- to mega- dosing, not 'reality'. At least the Beatles were able to complete albums with words written whilst off their trolleys, few others seem to manage it. Reall…
> The 'increased focus...' is probably comparing micro- to mega- dosing, not 'reality'.
A typical mushroom taker can only trip once a week or once every two weeks (as tolerance builds up very quickly). That means one or two weeks of "reality" between (mega-dose) trips.
Re: Psychedelics in problem-solving experiment
#9Myself, I used LSD to learn calculus -- or rather, to overcome a lifelong crippling phobia/anxiety of mathematics, which allowed me to rapidly learn calculus. When I was 21, I encountered John Lilly's theories of cognitive metaprogramming with psychedelics, and I designed a trip to convince myself -- at a really primal level -- of the fundamental beauty, power, and accessibility of math. 12 hours after dosing, my fear of mathematics was gone forever, and I spent the rest of the summer acing a series of intensive calculus courses. 17 years later, I've co-founded three successful and highly maths-intensive companies. I am certain that I could not have done this without the drugs.
I do hope that some day the world will wake up and realise how much of a wrong turn it took in banning psychedelic research; it has the potential to be a power for good unlike anything else.
Re: Psychedelics in problem-solving experiment
#10Myself, I used LSD to learn calculus -- or rather, to overcome a lifelong crippling phobia/anxiety of mathematics, which allowed me to rapidly learn calculus. When I was 21, I encountered John Lilly's theories of cognitive metaprogramming with psychedelics, and I designed a trip to convince myself -- at a really primal level -- of the fundamental beauty, power, and accessibility of math. 12 hours after dosing, my fea…
This sounds quite incredibe. In fact, very incredible, considering you just registered that account and this is your only post. But I believe you may be telling the truth.
Do you think the same could be applied for other disciplines, like programming and computer science?