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Reddit mentions of The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys
Sentiment score: 24
Reddit mentions: 46
We found 46 Reddit mentions of The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys. Here are the top ones.
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- Park Street Press
Features:
Specs:
| Height | 9 Inches |
| Length | 6 Inches |
| Number of items | 1 |
| Release date | May 2011 |
| Weight | 1.26104413864 Pounds |
| Width | 0.8 Inches |
A knife in the hands of a chef can help to feed ourselves and loved ones, and can create culinary wonders; in the hands of a child it can do great harm, or even be deadly. Knives aren't illegal because a child might get a hold of one and kill or do harm--one might say that would be stupid.
INDEED!!
"LSD-25 does not kill" is a true statement.
IMO, in most cases, one should supplement their psychedelic experiences with psychological or spiritual counseling, not use these drugs this way and that way. They're tools for our use, not abuse. Ironically, not allowing adults access to LSD and psychedelics seems to make them more available to kids who shouldn't be doing them.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic/dp/1594774021/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371481744&sr=8-1&keywords=the+psychedelic+explorer%27s+guide
I'm blown away by how LSD seems to be able to actually get down to the core of our issues. I had my first trip two days ago but I had the exact opposite outcome - I had a rather small dose (approx 75-80ug) but had a wonderful time. The "message" I got is that I worry too much about work, and life in general, and that just need to I relax and that everything is okay. However, my issue is that I work up to 60-80 hours a week 9-10 months of the year. Weed on the other hand made me feel pretty much worthless and made me even more anxious and self-critical and even less motivated to get out of bed. My absolute biggest fear about doing LSD was what if I would find out that I'm an asshole? How the hell do I cope with that? Fortunately this relatively small dose helped me to step outside myself just enough to realize that I'm a much more decent human being than I give myself credit for.
Now, I'm obviously not an expert, and I still haven't had time to fully reflect on the trip and integrate the things I experienced but now that I've dipped my toes in psychedelics for the first time I've begun understand a little bit how it works, and it's no miracle cure for sure (and I don't know if anybody has ever claimed that, but it's easy to get that impression from all of the experiences people share).
From the information and stories I've gathered from other people (and it seems to be true from my short experience too) is that it can bring you immense clarity, but I won't fix your problems. There's a very interesting podcast I listened to last night, where Neal Goldsmith talks about the importance of the work that comes after the trip. If you don't do anything with what you experienced during the trip, he argues, it can create even more damage. https://psychedelicsalon.com/podcast-499-psycheology-psychedelics-and-the-study-of-the-soul/
If I were you in your shoes (I once was, so I can relate to your situation and how you feel), I'd start with digging a little bit deeper about your past and history and try to find out why you can't muster any will-power to worry about life.
Just to give you an example from my own life, I used to care about nothing except partying and music. I wanted to become a rockstar (hah!) and/or a nightclub owner, even though I had no idea of what it takes to get there. I wanted to become successful (whatever that meant at that time) without doing all the hard work. Basically all my dreams (mostly just empty shallow daydreams) revolved around the nightlife (this was from when I was 20 until I was 30). I had some part time jobs here and there, but nothing that could support me 100%. Fortunately, a few years ago I had a little bit of luck and got some freelancing gigs which just grew and blew up, and within 2-3 years I went from my parents paying my rent and being $20.000 in debt to driving a nice car and earning within the top 10% However, and this is the moral of the story, I'm absolutely not happier now than I was before. If anything, I'm more anxious and scared and I haven't really felt pure joy in years. And what I've learned about myself, mostly by reading books and meditating, is that everything in my life has been driven out of fear. 5-10 years ago I was doing nothing to get out of the bed because I was scared of the world and everything and everybody. Rejection in my world view has always been such a hard thing to cope with, that I'd rather not even try. Fast-forward 10 years and to anybody on the outside world I'm probably considered successful, but I feel nothing like that. I'm still struggling every dingle day with the exact same fears as I did back then, but they manifest in a different way. I now work 80 hours a week because I'm scared to turn down work. What if I turn down a project and they'll find somebody else? I haven't had a proper vacation in 3 years. Do you see the irony? I used the be scared to get out and look for work, now I'm scared to say no to work. It's not really a fun way to live.
If I were you, I'd take a break from drugs completely, and spend some time (a LOT of time) reading some books. Start with psychology and spice it up with some business (or whatever it is you want to do). You actually seem to have the luxury of time to be able to do that, so make use of it. Try to find out what fears inhibit you from going to where you want.
Here's a book that I'd recommend you starting with: https://www.amazon.com/Drama-Gifted-Child-Search-Revised/dp/0465016901
It's a relatively short read (less than 150 pages), and when I first picked it up, it spoke to me already in the first pages and gave me the motivation to start digging deeper within myself. I'm not sure if it's available on kindle, but I'm sure you can find it on PDF or audiobook if you know where to look. If not, let me know and I'll dig it up for you. If that book resonates with you I'd be happy to share some more with you.
Sorry for the long rant - I hope it helps. Good luck!
edit: Also, if you haven't already and you for whatever reason won't decide to stay off drugs for a while, at least read Fadiman's book on psychedelics before proceeding. There are lots of valuable information in there on how to conduct a safe practice: https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021/ref=sr_1_1/166-4346259-0867716?ie=UTF8&qid=1484133871&sr=8-1&keywords=james+fadiman
P S Y C H E D E L I C S will get you clean off any other substance.
This pretty much how psychedelic therapists run their therapy sessions. This method has shown positive clinical statistical significance of at least .7(compared to less than .01 for all other treatment methods) in all types of people(depressed, addicts, healthy normals, the dying, etc.).
Sources:
How To Change Your Mind - Michael Pollan
The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide - James Fadiman, Ph.D.
Glad to hear things went okay and thanks for posting a follow-up!
>I am a little sad for him because he didn't find what he was looking for. Any advice on this?
Where to start? There are so many differing approaches and ideas on how best to use mushrooms for self-improvement that it's difficult to offer proper advice. I guess the best general advice I could offer is to learn as much as you can and then experiment with techniques to find what works best for you and your husband but also don't become too attached to any technique; it's best to remain fluid.
To be more specific, consider some of the following ideas...
Work on setting specific intentions beforehand. What do you want to get out of this trip? What are your emotional intentions? Write it down, talk about it, just put some energy into forming and understanding your intentions before the trip.
During the trip, let go of your intentions. Your conscious mind does not now how to achieve your intentions otherwise you wouldn't need mushrooms. Often times during a trip I come to the realization that my compulsion to label, understand and rationalize are what is inhibiting me from progress. To that end meditation is quite useful for quieting the compulsions of the mind.
After the trip journaling is again useful. The ineffable lessons learned are best assimilated by attempting to articulate those lessons, whether that means talking about them or writing it does not matter.
But, as many will say, mushrooms won't always give you what you seek but they do tend to give you what you need. I deeply understand the desire for results but gaining a handle on tripping is essential otherwise it's just brainfuck masterbation (sorry for the crude wording.) In that sense, it's probably best that your husband didn't get as deep as he felt necessary. The brain's ability to deceive us is uncanny so it's important to begin to recognize the self deception before going too deep.
Personally I believe mushrooms only suspend your mental barriers; the hallucinations are a product of your mind's inability to fully comprehend your personal truths and see through the deception. Everything you encounter in a trip is nothing more than you, whether you see a hideous monster or yourself as a scared, crying, vulnerable child (for example) depends on your ability to recognize your mind's deception. Your mind deceives you in this way to protect you from something you were unable to cope with at the time you experienced it.
On a side note, check out The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide and also consider looking into a practice known as holotropic breathwork, it can produce very similar effects to mushrooms and works incredibly well as an adjuvant to tripping. I found this article in particular rather compelling.
If there are any ideas I can expand upon, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck to you and your husband on future travels!
As a tool for personal and professional success. I use MDMA, cannabis and psychedelics as tools for personal and professional success. I treat them like any other food supplement and use them judiciously as enhancers for meditation, business, creative pursuits, accelerated learning, networking, goal planning, visualization, yoga, exercise, sex, general mindfulness, guided meditations and visualizations, examining habits to break bad ones and form new ones, breaking out of routine ways of doing and thinking, connecting with people, nature, animals, wildlife and all that is. Now and then I do let loose and party like an animal - gotta nurture the hedonist and binge on the beauty and pleasures all around us.
I am currently experimenting with using these experiences to quickly make my first million. For example, a few months ago I dosed 50mg of MDMA at an important networking event and I made more substantive, meaningful connections that day than I ever have in similar events, and that has led to some incredible working relationships that I credit to the heart-opening presence I had with people. I always work on capturing the feelings and states during those experiences so I can access them during my sober times and make it a part of who I am.
Some resources:
Micro-Dosing: The Revolutionary Way of Using Psychedelics
http://www.highexistence.com/micro-dose-lsd-psychedelic/
Using Psychedelics Wisely: A veteran researcher explains how psychedelics can be used to give beneficial results
https://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/writings/stolaroff_using.shtml
Cannabis Shamanism (free monthly video-streamed cannabis-guided journeys by an Ayahuasca shaman)
Psychedelics and Extreme Sports ("LSD can increase your reflex time to lightning speed, improve your balance to the point of perfection, increase your concentration...and make you impervious to weakness or pain.")
https://www.maps.org/news-letters/v21n1/v21n1-25to29.pdf
LSD — The Problem-Solving Psychedelic
http://www.psychedelic-library.org/stafford.htm
Are Psychedelics Useful in the Practice of Buddhism
http://buddhism.lib.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-ADM/stolar.htm
The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys
http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic/dp/1594774021
I'm taking 100 ug shortly, once I have the house to myself. I've taken mushrooms a few times but haven't experienced anything too spiritual. . I just finished reading The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide, and I feel like I'm at a good point in my life to try LSD now. Thanks for the well wishes!
My perspective on drugs: I like them. I think they can be valuable tools and provide wonderful experiences.
I currently have a good reading list I'm working through for a planned project that will require a lot of LSD. I'm interested in LSD and MDMA psychotherapy to help solve some deep-seated problems (you have no idea how far from normal I am) and for general self-improvement. Fascinating subject, particularly the works by Stanislav Grof.
The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys: http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic/dp/1594774021
LSD Psychotherapy: Exploring the Frontiers of the Hidden Mind
http://www.amazon.com/Psychotherapy-Healing-Potential-Psychedelic-Medicine/dp/0979862205
LSD: Doorway to the Numinous: The Groundbreaking Psychedelic Research into Realms of the Human Unconscious
http://www.amazon.com/LSD-Numinous-Groundbreaking-Psychedelic-Unconscious/dp/1594772827
Tripping: An Anthology of True-Life Psychedelic Adventures
http://www.amazon.com/Tripping-Anthology-True-Life-Psychedelic-Adventures/dp/0140195742
The Doors of Perception: Heaven and Hell
http://www.amazon.com/The-Doors-Perception-Thinking-Classics/dp/1907590099
Through the Gateway of the Heart (about MDMA)
http://www.maps.org/gateway/
Thanatos To Eros, 35 Years of Psychedelic Exploration
http://www.maps.org/t2e/
Had to do a lot of searching and reading just to find what was worth reading, avoiding pseudoscience and quasi-religion. Oi, this is going to be a lot of work, but that's probably what it will take to sort out the trainwreck of my mind.
Well, maybe, but having a psychedelic experience in the clinical context is much different than just doing a psychotherapy session an hour after ingesting LSD. No one is suggesting psychotherapy stays exactly the same with just adding LSD.
You would be wrong if you thought that LSD is these clinical settings causes a bad trip. It's very rare for someone to have a bad psychedelic experience in a clinical context. But even if they do, the very best place for somebody to be if they start to have a bad trip is in the hands of a skilled clinician. A recommended book to learn techniques on guiding people through psychedelic experiences, including managing bad experiences.
Further, these people are already in bad places with lots of anxiety, such as PTSD, alcoholism or end of life anxiety. This isn't a matter of choosing between no anxiety and a chance of an experience that provokes anxiety. This is a matter of treating already existing and severe anxiety (or another condition) that hasn't responded to other alternatives.
It's simply a matter of doing the studies and comparing outcomes. For example, a retrospective analysis of studies of alcoholics found this across a single dose of LSD:
>Of 536 participants in six trials, 59% of people receiving LSD reported lower levels of alcohol misuse, compared to 38% of people who received a placebo. “We were surprised that the effect was so clear and consistent,” says Krebs. She says that the problem with most studies done at that time was that there were too few participants, which limited statistical power. “But when you combine the data in a meta-analysis, we have more than 500 patients and there is definitely an effect,” she says. In general, the reported benefits lasted three to six months.
Order a book or go down a rabbit hole of videos from James Fadiman...
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https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A34x6W-3lJI
> I’ve heard that it snaps them out of it almost instantly but no one really knows why.
Time for further reading! This book is positively marvelous, and looks at the idiotic way we've avoided study of these exact sorts of substances for treating things like Anxiety/depression/etc. It's by a fellow involved in some of the original LDS/psilocybin research back when, who is by all means a well educated professional - all the folks in the book are as well. It's not a bunch of hippies, it's professionals in their respective fields testing what we can do, and being shut down abruptly for silly reasons. Even looking beyond the purely therapy-based uses there were some curious, but needing much further study, aspects about enhancing cognition, focus, creative thinking, etc. - I'm sure we've all heard of the many artists and such who are inspired by substances, but not as much about stuff like part of the discovery of DNA, math theorems, and so on.
Small studies have been down which have showed 80%+ success rates in "moderate to high improvement" with regards to depression and shit. That's HUGE. What's interesting is that a significantly massive part of the psychadelic+therapy benefit seems to come from setting the right expectations and making it a therapy, not a recreation. Preparation is key, as is setting up a space to do it in - pleasant music and lighting, calm and safe, not some clinical doctor's office or sterile testing area. Further, it helps to bring stuff to think about, questions you've written yourself, photos of family and other nostalgic things, that sort of deal.
It's amazingly fascinating that one single session for a drug that is out of your system completely in days can facilitate months if not years of progress by 'normal' therapy methods in a few days - and that's in the words of PhD types who are studying it.
There's a lot of unknown about these sorts of substances and how exactly they can facilitate such outcomes, because we only just recently have finally begun to research them again, as we should have been since the 60s.
I mean, the issue is that our antidepressents kinda suck. Many of them barely beat out placebo, and the best ones are only about twice as effective as placebo. Anything that hits 50-80% should be earth shattering, and some of the potential studies that were done and have been done recently again finally have showed that at the least, so it's just.. it boggles my mind that we will cling to an obviously unscientific mantra of stigma and ignorance for so long when peoples' lives could have been changed in the last four decades for the better.
It would seem /r/gamedev is not the most receptive audience to such questions... That and the fact that you aren't asking anything specific.
To the haters, there has been at least one study: Psychedelic agents in creative problem-solving: A pilot study. showing psychedelics (specifically acid) can aid creative processes.
I would suggest taking a look at the Psychedelic Explorer's Guide; it's an evidenced-based look at safe practices for using psychedelics both for spiritual ends (parts 1-2) and creative problem solving (part 3). Specifically it lays out how to organize your environment so you can actually achieve things while using psychedelics (referencing the above study).
I don't have any tips for game design specifically, but I imagine that you'll get much better results brainstorming ideas rather than actually working on development problems, but you never know... reduced short term memory can be a bitch though.
Beyond that I think the book is your best bet, since unfortunately little research has been done on these topics because of restrictions and it's been a little while since I was actively studying such things myself...
you might have more luck reposting to /r/askdrugs or /r/psychonaut, but tbh I don't expect many over there will have done much gamedev (then again, you never know).
Hope this helps
To this date, there are no fully controlled empirical studies on the subject of microdosing. The only research that's has been released are excerpts from Jim Fadiman's pseudo-qualitative study. You can read about those in his book "The Psychedelic Explorers Guide" or on ResearchGate.
https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482396978&sr=8-1&keywords=psychedelic+explorers+guide
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308138461_Microdose_research_without_approvals_control_groups_double_blinds_staff_or_funding
But I know that some institutes are heavily discussing conducting fully controlled neuro-based research on microdosing and will probably start around late 2017.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic/dp/1594774021
I would recommend that you get a copy of this book and use it to prepare yourself. It's written by a psychedelic researcher from the Sixties who carried on his work even after it was banned by the federal government. It's filled with lots of great information about how to make the most positive and productive use of psychedelic drugs.
Youtube, if you can!
Make a throwaway or an unlisted stream/video.
If you're a gamer, that's an easy activity to partake in. Otherwise, you can follow the Psychadelic Explorer's Guide and set up a few questions for yourself now that you could work through while tripping. Things that you may want to explore about yourself, those around you, those in the world.
If you're a problem solver by career/nature, maybe prime yourself with some difficult puzzles/programming challenges/financial quandaries and try to delve into them while tripping. You may get quite a bit of insight and gain a creativity in regards to solving said challenges.
Or just pump iron while reacting to some interesting podcast! Who knows what could be interesting to do for you and to watch for others!
Start with: How to Change Your Mind (start with this detailed annotated summary). The pop culture starting point these days. The summary is all you need to read to understand the entire book but the book is well worth the time.
After that you'll have more ideas where to do. Below is a lot of stuff. I've watched/read all of them, so happy to answer any questions/give more guidance.
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Study the "classics" by taking a look at these (skim the long ones to start):
Seeking the Magic Mushroom (first western trip report on mushrooms)
My 12 Hours As A Madman (another historically important trip report)
The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based On The TIbetan Book of the Dead (classic book on guided trips)
LSD My Problem Child by Albert Hoffman
Al Hubbard: The Original Captian Trips
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Docs to Watch:
The Sunshine Makers (documentary)
Orange Sunshine (documentary)
Aya: Awakenings (documentary)
Dirty Pictures (documentary)
A New Understanding: The Science of Psilocybin (documentary)
Hoffmans Potion (documentary): r/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFfblVjCwOU"
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And a whole lot of others:
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Books
The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide – James Fadiman
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction – Gabor Mate
Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream – Jay Stevens
Psychedelic Psychiatry: LSD from clinic to campus – Erika Dyck
The Natural Mind: A Revolutionary Approach to the Drug Problem – Andrew Weil
Acid Hype: American News Media and the Psychedelic Experience – Stephen Siff
Acid Dreams: The complete social history of LSD – Martin A. Lee and Bruce Shlain
Drugs: Without the Hot Air – David Nutt
A Really Good Day: How Microdosing Made a Mega Difference in My Mood, My Marriage, and My Life – Ayelet Waldman
Neuropsychedelia: The Revival of Hallucinogen Research Since the Decade of the Brain – Nicolas Langlitz
The Harvard Psychedelic Club: How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America – Don Lattin
Videos
Terence McKenna discusses the stoned ape theory
A Conversation on LSD – In a video from the late 1970s, Al Hubbard, Timothy Leary, Humphry Osmond, Sidney Cohen and others reflect on LSD’s heyday
Alison Gopnik and Robin Carhart-Harris at the 2016 Science of Consciousness Conference
The Future of Psychedelic Psychiatry – a discussion between Thomas Insel and Paul Summergrad
Documents, Articles & Artifacts
Al Hubbard’s FBI file
Remembrances of LSD Therapy Past – Betty Grover Eisner’s unpublished memoir about her role in developing psychedelic therapy
LSD, Insight or Insanity – Transcript of excerpts from hearings of the Subcommittee
on the Executive Reorganization of the Senate Committee on Government Operations [concerning federal research and regulation of LSD-25] May 24, 1966
The Brutal Mirror: What an ayahuasca retreat showed me about my life —A Vox writer’s first-person account
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Forums
Ayahuasca.com: Includes experience reports, discussion of spirituality, ecology, healing, and recovery by means of the vine are collected here. A place to learn from members of ayahuasca churches, as well as a few foreign language channels.
Bluelight: A 20 year old online harm reduction forum that fosters open and factual discussion of drugs and provides support for those seeking recovery from addiction.
DMT Nexus: A hub for underground psychedelic research on botanical sources of tryptamines and other psychedelic compounds.
5Hive: A newer forum devoted specifically to 5-MeO-DMT — synthetic, botanical or toad-derived.
Mycotopia: All things mycological — discussions of edible, wild, and psychoactive fungi.
The Shroomery: A forum devoted to cultivating psilocybin-containing mushrooms and sharing trip reports.
TRIPSIT: A 24/7 online harm reduction resource. Users can chat instantly with someone about their drug experience, or questions they may have about about the safe(r) use of a wide variety of controlled substances.
I highly recommend reading this book if you have not already. My wife and I have been working with Dr. Faidman's treatment recommendations for 4 years off and on now. My longest period of 4 day Cy le dosing was 18 months. Now I dose 1-3 times every couple of months. I usually try to tie my dosing with the full moon as I seem to be unusually affected by full/new moons. The cycle of DOSE/REST/REFLECTION/DOSE (4 days) has worked well for me.
The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594774021/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aow-BbMYXWQ23
You can try this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic/dp/1594774021
There is bound to be some info on MAPS or Erowid somewhere if you do some searching.
If you prefer some human contact but don't want to pay a professional, then I am quite happy to guide you through an experience some time if you'd like. I'm a tripsitter on Tripsit and I have helped a few people through this sort of thing before, although arguably it won't be as beneficial as a professional therapist or shaman would be.
You might enjoy this. https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486827750&sr=8-1&keywords=psychedelic+books There's also lots of other interesting studies. http://www.maps.org/research/psilo-lsd/lsd-psilo-documents/5547-lsd-and-psilocybin-documents-resources-list This also sounds awesome. http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2010/08/drugs-in-hollywood-201008
Thank you for sharing your story. I would suggest reading the Psychedelic Experience by Tim Leary, Richard Alpert and Ralph Metzner (link below). In its comparison of the psychedelic experience to the philosophies of Tibetian Buddhism, the book provides a good explaination of the experience you had and why you are stuck there.
The Psychedelic Explorers Guide is also a modern work that explains things from a more Western clinical perspective. When you better understand how different personalities and neurosis then you may experience a beneficial change in perspective for what you went through during and after those trips.
I don' think you are dealing with a slip in reality, it is a slip in identity and you havn't fully reclaimed your grip. Beyond that book, I urge you to go deep into the Eastern philosophies surrounding identity - that is the direction you need to go.
Take care, I hope you begin to heal soon. Feel free to PM me with questions/concerns.
The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Citadel Underground) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0806516526/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_c8i3Ab7AY8RKF
The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594774021/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Hhj3AbNCZ42KT
The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide by James Fadiman, he talks about microdosing which I have found to be awesome.
Lol, yeah. I'm apparently a glutton for psychological punishment. I had another unresolved BPM II type experience about a two years later, again completely by accident, lost my marbles while laughing at my cat. I discovered the BPM model a few months after that and suddenly a million light bulbs went off in my head. I tried to replicate Stan Grof's experiment's a year and a half after learning about it and AGAIN, unresolved BPM II experience, and that one was probably the worst because 1) I had taken a HUGE dose that time thinking it would help [IT DOES NOT, --just enough-- is perfect ~200µ] and 2) I fully allowed the LSD to work me over because that was my intention. Neither I nor my guides fully understood what we were doing and I experienced the most harrowing six hours (read: one million trillion years) lying on my bedroom floor. One of my guides claimed she could see my carotid artery just about jumping out of my neck quite rapidly.
Eventually I was able to bring an LSD session to resolution, but I used the Psychedelic Explorer's Guide by James Fadiman as the guide book. Stan Grof's work is excellent and provides a good model for interpreting the experience but is really written from the interior of the trip. The 6-stage model used by Dr. Fadiman is much more written for the guide and extremely easy to follow. The guide is 90% of the trip, only 10% the voyager.
Resolution of a high dose experience is more than worth it if you don't have a risk of serious mental health problems and have the balls to carry it out. Since I did it feels like the wheels of life have been greased. I'm much less liable to be angry, it's much much much easier to build rapport with people who believe differently than I, enjoying and staying in the present moment is much easier, and I feel like I understand my purpose in life.
Thank you so much for your interest. I think learning about the theoretical models used for psychedelic experience can vastly improve one's psychedelic experiences.
I don’t know much about courses but, if you haven’t read it, The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide by James Fadiman might have some of what you’re looking for.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594774021/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_kukVCb2GMQ6YT
Also, the Zendo Project occasionally does training courses. I was too slow in signing up for one in June at Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in NY and it sold out. Next time.
I highly recommend these books:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic/dp/1594774021/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1372708783&sr=8-6&keywords=psychedelic+healing
http://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Experience-Tibetan-Citadel-Underground/dp/0806516526/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372708869&sr=1-1&keywords=the+psychedelic+experience
You should have a therapist you take it with. I would recommend reading the "Psychedelic explorers guide" and having a copy on you as well, it's a book for therapists to properly guide people through psychedelic trips
https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021
You'll enjoy this, The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys, it's also on Hoopla, the free library ebook and audiobook app.
Set = the user's mindset, beliefs, mood, expectations about the drug experience, etc.
Setting = the physical environment in which the drug experience takes place, which can consist of the location, objects in the space (art, plants, furniture, etc.) smells or sounds, music, and other people/beings that are in the surroundings.
Check out James Fadiman's Psychedelic Explorer's Guide if you're interested in learning more. He goes into a lot of detail about different things that contribute positively and negatively to set and setting. Lots of his work is geared at therapeutic/spiritual drug experiences, but it's very useful information even for personal/recreational use to help direct your trip as you'd like.
NTA - I take a micro dose of psilocybin for my bipolar, PTSD and various other things. I’ve spent my whole life on various awful prescribed chemical drugs that have never worked but given me terrible side effects.
It has changed my life. My husband and my parents all know and support me. My Mum said I’m a different person (for the better).
Try reading some more about it:
https://thethirdwave.co/microdosing-course/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Really-Good-Day-Microdosing-Difference/dp/1101973722
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021
But yes be careful who you tell. I understand the need to talk to friends but this is a very unknown subject still and people are extremely judgemental. TV hasn’t helped by already glorifying it and there are huge misconceptions about LSD.
Also in my country (the UK) it is illegal so there are risks. I took part in a study. The medical establishments are researching and getting there but it’s too slow and I had run out of viable options for my mental health personally.
To anyone considering doing this please do your research and be very careful. I’m not encouraging anyone else to do this without careful consideration and assessing the risks. I researched this for months before I started it as I had never taken LSD before and was petrified.
Edit: changed stared to started for spelling doh!
I haven’t gotten to this yet but it sounds like it could help:
Jim Fadiman’s Psychedelic Explorers Guide
https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021
You're welcome.
For a user's guide, you might look into this book.
I haven't read it myself yet but it's known to be a good resource, and the author is well regarded.
Entire books have been written on this subject and all of them agree that several factors go into making a trip insightful. Some of these factors are: set, setting, drug, dose, and guide. Unfortunately for you, 1.25g of cubensis isn't great and since you are doing this tomorrow and still asking for advice, you probably don't have a great set or guide. That leaves you with making sure you have one hell of a setting. Really though, just have fun tomorrow. If you want a more insightful trip, do a bit of reading up on the subject, start meditating, and give yourself plenty of time to make sure everything is set up just right before your next trip. By the way, here is one of me favorite books on the subject.
If you want something a little more in-depth, can I recommend The Psychedelic Explorers Guide by James Fadiman.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic/dp/1594774021
First off, I would not recommend dosing by yourself for your first time. You'll probably be alright if you do, but it's preferable to have someone you trust around. If you have someone else there, you can take a slightly larger dose, one more prone to induce mystical experience.
You mention that you are very strong mentally. This is not necessarily a good thing in this domain. If you're able to contain and pigeonhole the experience with your mind, you'll miss out on the magic that can happen when you are eclipsed by the experience.
You seem like a smart dude. Do some reading beforehand so you're prepared:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic/dp/1594774021
Hijacking this top post to recommend everyone who’s not familiar with psychedelics yet to read this book before experiencing them. It’ll answer most of your questions and give a good idea of whether you’re ready to have a positive experience.
https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021
Most of my books I have read are about mushrooms or psychedelics in general. This one seems rather popular, though.
The gist of microdosing is that you ingest just enough for the experience to not be "trippy", but still having the increased energy, concentration, and creativity that the LSD brings. Those things translate well onto a pool table.
FAQ from /r/microdosing
BTW: That book is only $14 on Amazon. Please consider supporting the author instead of stealing their work.
This [book](The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1594774021/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_g.kKDbJCG76ZR) will help you plan your sessions.
I picked up a used copy of Rational Mysticism at Half priced books but haven't started to read it yet. It might be down your ally. Hallucinations by Oliver Sacks and the Psychedelic Explorers Guide by James Fadiman may also be what you are looking for
this book will give some good info
https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021
Lots of people talking about personal experiences here both good and bad. Rather than thinking of psychedelics as inherently pure or inherently evil, it's probably best to regard them as a tool like a circular saw. They can be extremely useful but super dangerous if you are untrained.
the psychedelic explorers guide is a good "manual" for the tool of mushrooms.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic/dp/1594774021
The author, james fadiman did a pretty good interview on the tim ferriss podcast
http://fourhourworkweek.com/2015/03/21/james-fadiman/
Buy this book and read it or have the to be trip sitter read this.
https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021
I also try to have MORE than enough music JUST IN CASE you need to change the vibe,set and setting are everything, I often plan like a party, a trip party that is. I have lights and toys and candy and fruit and glowsticks
If you can,benzos are a must for if things get a bit hairy.
https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021/
James Fadiman's new books is all about how to use drugs (mostly LSD) for creative and religious purposes. I would recommend it:
http://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312246276&sr=8-1
Unless you are mostly interested in using the drugs for personal development and changing your personality, in which case Neal Goldsmith's new book Psychedelic Healing might be better.
https://www.amazon.ca/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021
I think this is what you're looking for
http://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic-Journeys/dp/1594774021 This book did me solid for my first trip
http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychedelic-Explorers-Guide-Therapeutic/dp/1594774021
http://www.maps.org/research/cluster/psilo-lsd/cns-neuroscience+therapeutics_2008-passie.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbUGRcuA16E
Basically what LSD does is make various parts of the brain interact that ordinarily don't interact. Pieces of information are linked together and related to one another. Specific contexts related to that information are lost more and more at higher doses.