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grubbs
Stranger
Registered: 02/28/11
Posts: 14
Last seen: 12 years, 4 months
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Can I handle the psychedelic experience?
#14046302 - 03/01/11 12:07 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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I'm 19 years old, and though I've been interested in trying hallucinogens for years, I have not yet experimented with any drug, aside from regular pot smoking and the occasional drink. I got a new job a few months ago, and I'm starting to cultivate some friendships with a couple of people who use mushrooms, along with other substances.
I am really eager to start exploring what psychedelics have to offer. I've read The Doors of Perception and a number of similar books, and found them incredibly intriguing. I'm most interested in mushrooms, since they're 'natural', and I think I could most easily get my hands on some. The only thing holding me back from diving into this world is the fear that I may not be able to handle the psychological stresses of 'tripping'.
When I was a child, I had problems with perfectionism and strong OCD tendencies. I was very emotional and sensitive. As I've matured, these issues have more or less dissipated, but they're still a part of my personality.
I have a very vivid imagination. I swam a lot when I was younger, and there would be times when I was swimming, and the thought would suddenly pop into my head that there could be a shark in the pool, and I would have to swim as fast as I could to the other end, jump out, and make sure I was safe before getting back into the water.
Even now, I am sometimes gripped by the fear that somebody (or something) could be sneaking up behind me. For this reason, when I walk up stairs with a group of people, I don't like to be the last one up. When I'm taking the stairs on my own, I like to run up them. I love nature, but, tragically, I am uncomfortable being alone in the woods (parks are okay). I always have a thought in the back of my mind that there could be some wild, predatory animal, or a serial killer lurking behind the trees. I know that these fears are silly and irrational, but they're very visceral, almost like a subconscious, physical compulsion.
If I get really high, and I'm alone in my apartment, I will very rarely feel a bit paranoid for a while, but I'm usually pretty good at talking myself down, and I've never freaked out or anything.
Reading what I've written, I know that I must sound like a basket case, but I think I'm a pretty normal person, and I don't feel like these things affect me strongly enough to be classified as psychological problems. They're just personality quirks that I am pretty good at managing.
Nevertheless, I worry that I may be too psychologically fragile to handle tripping. If normal reality is sometimes too much for me to handle, am I risking too much by playing with my perception of it? What can somebody like me do to increase the chances of my first trip being a good one?
I'd appreciate any feedback I can get from this community. Thanks.
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lumadaylight9
Stranger

Registered: 01/26/11
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: grubbs]
#14046322 - 03/01/11 12:13 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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To me it sounds like you are afraid of being alone. You don't sound like you have any serious mental issue that would cause you to have a problem tripping, just do it with some friends and you should be fine. I think sometimes people read into having a breakdown or something too much and it scares them away from every wanted to trip. Just think about all the pros of being able to expand your consciousness not just getting fucked up. I associate getting fucked up with good and bad vibes but tripping should only be about good vibes. Good luck to you, only you know if you are ready no matter what anyone else tells you. If you feel like you aren't then don't do it.
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HighFivePsh
Smiler


Registered: 12/29/10
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: lumadaylight9]
#14046350 - 03/01/11 12:20 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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In my opinion, the most you can do to prepare for your first tripping experience is to simply be well educated about what you're about to do.
Understand the substance from a distance, and decide for yourself when you are ready to experience it firsthand.
Nobody on this forum will be able to tell you without a doubt whether or not you should trip from reading a few of your posts, but frankly your fear of a bad trip seems unnecessary to me. Responsible curiosity is a fantastic way to approach psychedelics -- you're off to a good start.
-------------------- A smile - the universal symbol of happiness.
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drr

Registered: 05/20/09
Posts: 8,444
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: HighFivePsh]
#14046442 - 03/01/11 12:45 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
HighFivePsh said: In my opinion, the most you can do to prepare for your first tripping experience is to simply be well educated about what you're about to do.
Understand the substance from a distance, and decide for yourself when you are ready to experience it firsthand.
Nobody on this forum will be able to tell you without a doubt whether or not you should trip from reading a few of your posts, but frankly your fear of a bad trip seems unnecessary to me. Responsible curiosity is a fantastic way to approach psychedelics -- you're off to a good start. 
Definitely 
Read, read, read, I'm sure you know about erowid.org Get a good grasp of the relationship between dose and effect, taking variables like potency and your personal sensitivity, both of which are pretty unpredictable.
I'd recommend starting with a low dose for you, IE 1 gram or less, and work your way up steadily over the course of a few weeks, once per week. That is the smart way to do it. You won't have a bad trip if you take a threshold dose, its impossible. Now that you know that for a fact, you don't have to worry about it, that one's out of the way way. (Whether or not this is true - instill this into your brain is my point) First time, if you're that worried, you can eat a quarter of a gram. It will do absolutely nothing most likely, but you can be sure that you won't freak out, so you will be comfortable. I wouldn't recommend that, it would be wasteful. But there is always that possibility. If you ease your way in and make it comfortable for yourself, rather than starting with even two grams which could be overwhelming if they are very potent, or an eighth for that matter, which is sure to be a very intense trip in me anyway.. If you ease your way into it, you can see how sensitive you are and what amount works best for you, without risking having the bad trip you are half expecting.
Honestly mushrooms are very gentle and fun, especially in low doses, you will not freak out and I think with the right set and setting and dose, mushrooms could give you a new perspective on your OCD and irrational fears that could actually help you get over them. Since you do consider yourself perhaps prone to paranoia or whatever compulsions you say you have, if you decide to trip, I don't recommend that you eat anything more than a half gram your first time, just to test your sensitivity, and only after you read a lot and get yourself in the right mindset to have a positive experience. After that do what you will, you will know whether or not you want to go deeper and it will be up to you to make good decisions. High doses aren't for everyone or everywhere. I think you need to get more comfortable with yourself before you have an intense trip. But the great thing is that you are only 19 - right on the edge of a major turning point in your life. Now is the perfect time to transform yourself completely. It is possible and I'm not talking about taking drugs, just living. I think about who I was and the kinds of things I worried about when I was 19...I don't even think I'm the same person! I don't look the same, act the same, people don't recognize me. I'm 24 now BTW. I think you're getting over your childhood emotional issues and/or OCD, at 19 for me I can see that I was just getting over a lot of problems I had as a kid, its just growing up. There's a reason the drinking age is 21. Because it's different from 19. At least for me it was, worlds apart.
Given, I do not know you at all, I am just applying my experience to your situation without any knowledge that they are at all similar, so disregard all of that stoned babble and do what YOU think is right.
www.erowid.org
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Met


Registered: 12/12/09
Posts: 1,376
Loc: Normandie, France
Last seen: 2 years, 8 months
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: drr]
#14046589 - 03/01/11 01:37 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Personally, I wouldn't recommend less than an eighth for a first-timer, but given your concerns, perhaps try 2-3 grams in a comfortable setting. Maybe during the day, somewhere scenic, with friends. You really want to be outside, in my opinion. Have some portable speakers/ipod with you to play your favourite music.
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jimmystubs
Backyard Chemist



Registered: 07/02/10
Posts: 212
Loc: Australia
Last seen: 2 years, 7 months
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: Met]
#14046620 - 03/01/11 01:49 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Met said: Personally, I wouldn't recommend less than an eighth for a first-timer, but given your concerns, perhaps try 2-3 grams in a comfortable setting. Maybe during the day, somewhere scenic, with friends. You really want to be outside, in my opinion. Have some portable speakers/ipod with you to play your favourite music.
I think this is a good idea. If they are home grown cubies I wouldn't go less than 3.5grams if you want fairly obvious effects. Also people often over-think tripping and its easy to see why, the effects are awe-inspiring and hard to understand. Its good to understand the dangers but dont get too caught up in thinking and reading about bad trips in my opinion - you can easily fill your head with many negative thoughts. On the day of the trip try to have a really positive, happy day and do anything that will improve your mood - the better you are feeling the better the trip will be.
Happy trails 
P.S. Welcome to the Shroomery!
-------------------- ------
None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free Journal of an Australian finding supplies
Edited by jimmystubs (03/01/11 01:54 AM)
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ahchela
Tourist



Registered: 03/01/11
Posts: 399
Loc: Pacific North West
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: jimmystubs]
#14047097 - 03/01/11 06:30 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
jimmystubs said: On the day of the trip try to have a really positive, happy day and do anything that will improve your mood - the better you are feeling the better the trip will be.
Dig that. Literal and rhetorical truth right there, the force of your vibes will carry the trip in its entirety and its strength. Set and setting.
-------------------- Psychedelics will not give you a lobotomy, but tv will.
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shLong



Registered: 03/04/10
Posts: 25,330
Loc: 'sconsin
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: ahchela]
#14047203 - 03/01/11 07:17 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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and clean your house/room, make any phone calls you need to and just basically get ALL the worries outta your head...even if you normally wouldn't stress it...for me at least, there's some odd shit that pops up in my head during a trip that I wish I had taken care of beforehand...
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ahchela
Tourist



Registered: 03/01/11
Posts: 399
Loc: Pacific North West
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: shLong]
#14047288 - 03/01/11 07:53 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
shLong said: and clean your house/room, make any phone calls you need to and just basically get ALL the worries outta your head...even if you normally wouldn't stress it...for me at least, there's some odd shit that pops up in my head during a trip that I wish I had taken care of beforehand...
Man if it didn't get done before the trip - fuck it
-------------------- Psychedelics will not give you a lobotomy, but tv will.
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SheTripper
Chill your puss.



Registered: 02/21/11
Posts: 111
Loc: Pennsylvania
Last seen: 12 years, 3 months
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: ahchela]
#14048694 - 03/01/11 02:01 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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I think there are 3 important things that if you follow, you'll have a good trip
1. Be with someone you trust. If you have paranoid thoughts and fear being alone then tripping alone or with someone you don't really trust can backfire. You may also want someone there to talk you down and make you feel better if you get paranoid.
2. Be somewhere you are comfortable being. If you are in your house with the doors locked or in a cabin in the woods good chances are you'll feel pretty safe. Paranoia, minimum.
3. If you are worried about having a bad trip you need to read up trip reports, faq, threads, everything you can. every question get answered. And even if you have to write it down remember you are just on a drug.
I hope you make the decision you are most comfortable with and enjoy it. no regrets.
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shLong



Registered: 03/04/10
Posts: 25,330
Loc: 'sconsin
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: ahchela]
#14048881 - 03/01/11 02:40 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
ahchela said:
Quote:
shLong said: and clean your house/room, make any phone calls you need to and just basically get ALL the worries outta your head...even if you normally wouldn't stress it...for me at least, there's some odd shit that pops up in my head during a trip that I wish I had taken care of beforehand...
Man if it didn't get done before the trip - fuck it
 That doesnt work for me...Im a fucking tweak
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jimmystubs
Backyard Chemist



Registered: 07/02/10
Posts: 212
Loc: Australia
Last seen: 2 years, 7 months
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: SheTripper]
#14058219 - 03/03/11 02:22 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
3. If you are worried about having a bad trip you need to read up trip reports, faq, threads, everything you can. every question get answered. And even if you have to write it down remember you are just on a drug.
This is good advice for some, but at least for me, I rekon over-thinking and researching stuff has actually made it harder for me at various times, as my head is full of all the other peoples ideas and experiences and lots of different thoughts and experiences I have had about mushrooms at various times - I'm not convinced more knowledge makes it easier, and infact I suspect in many cases it can actually make it harder.
Its important to realize tripping is very unique and individual, and other peoples experiences may or may not be how you experience it. No one can answer your question really, tripping is something you need to experience for yourself and come to your own conclusions about it. Best advice I can give is dont be afraid of the mushies and have a big laugh at everything on them, try not to be too serious!
-------------------- ------
None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free Journal of an Australian finding supplies
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Glayvin
Desert Species



Registered: 07/12/10
Posts: 292
Loc: Arizona, USA
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: jimmystubs]
#14058360 - 03/03/11 03:40 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Take this prescription for an introductory dose of 1-2 grams and get back to us.
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ahchela
Tourist



Registered: 03/01/11
Posts: 399
Loc: Pacific North West
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: jimmystubs]
#14060677 - 03/03/11 03:08 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
jimmystubs said:
... I rekon over-thinking and researching stuff has actually made it harder ... at various times...
... dont be afraid of the mushies and have a big laugh at everything on them, try not to be too serious! 
I concur. Best thing to do if you get nervous before taking them is just to man up to the whole thing, bad trips are as rare and never really as bad as a fever. Never had one half as bad as when I caught pneumonia and if it could get that bad it wouldn't worry me or stop me from taking anything on a rough day. Really the whole bad-trip thing has been overblown big time.
-------------------- Psychedelics will not give you a lobotomy, but tv will.
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SheTripper
Chill your puss.



Registered: 02/21/11
Posts: 111
Loc: Pennsylvania
Last seen: 12 years, 3 months
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: jimmystubs]
#14061330 - 03/03/11 04:49 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
jimmystubs said:
Quote:
3. If you are worried about having a bad trip you need to read up trip reports, faq, threads, everything you can. every question get answered. And even if you have to write it down remember you are just on a drug.
This is good advice for some, but at least for me, I rekon over-thinking and researching stuff has actually made it harder for me at various times, as my head is full of all the other peoples ideas and experiences and lots of different thoughts and experiences I have had about mushrooms at various times - I'm not convinced more knowledge makes it easier, and infact I suspect in many cases it can actually make it harder.
Its important to realize tripping is very unique and individual, and other peoples experiences may or may not be how you experience it. No one can answer your question really, tripping is something you need to experience for yourself and come to your own conclusions about it. Best advice I can give is dont be afraid of the mushies and have a big laugh at everything on them, try not to be too serious! 
Thats a good point. Everyones trip is different. But atleast if you research it you know what to expect. Not that you are going to expect what you are going to experience. But for me, reading up on things gives me more comfort than just diving in. It is a good point not to over think things.
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k00laid
NEMO


Registered: 05/03/10
Posts: 19,636
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: grubbs]
#14062026 - 03/03/11 06:39 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
grubbs said: If I get really high, and I'm alone in my apartment, I will very rarely feel a bit paranoid for a while, but I'm usually pretty good at talking myself down, and I've never freaked out or anything.
it depends on how you "talk yourself down"
it sounds like you need to work on set and setting before you delve in.
try meditation before you try drugs.
-------------------- AMU - AMU Q & A - MyVideo Teks!
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Windsong
Learningtheways



Registered: 03/07/10
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: k00laid]
#14062186 - 03/03/11 07:01 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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i have some of those same problems, though i am yet to shroom. good luck!
-------------------- And the waitress is practicing politics As the businessman slowly gets stoned Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness But it's better than drinkin' alone http://www.yooouuutuuube.com/v/?width=96&height=96&yt=diHk7xJAmD0&flux=1&direction=rand
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grubbs
Stranger

Registered: 02/28/11
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: grubbs]
#14684033 - 06/28/11 01:59 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate all the good wishes and advice.
I've changed my plans. After falling out with the friend who was my mushroom connection, and doing a little more reading, I've decided to order a foot of bridgesii online, and make a tea. My lease ended, and I currently live with my parents until I can find a new apartment, so I don't have a safe place to trip in private.
I'm going on a camping trip with my sister in a little while, which I think will be the best time in the foreseeable future to take my cactus. She barely smokes pot, and is ignorant and scared of psychedelics, so while I'll ask, I'm pretty sure she won't want to be my trip sitter. I think I'll go off on my own, or just stay in camp a day after she leaves, and trip solo. Sad as it sounds, I have no other friends in the area who could accompany me.
Any thoughts on this plan? I'm pretty jazzed about it. I'm planning on bringing an ipod, some cool art and photography books, and fruit. Maybe some Pepto Bismol to help with indigestion? I can chill in my tent, and maybe take a hike if it feels right.
I've thought about taking some pepper spray and a pocket knife with me, since having the tools to defend myself could help ease any paranoia I might have. I don't know if it's such a good idea to have weapons with me if I'm tripping alone for the first time.
If anybody would like to recommend a good site to order cactus from, and safe, secluded and beautiful places around the St Louis area to camp/trip, feel free to send me a PM.
Edited by grubbs (06/28/11 02:05 AM)
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atomicshaman
puppet master



Registered: 02/01/11
Posts: 2,469
Loc: germany
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: grubbs]
#14684585 - 06/28/11 05:14 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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i would seriously tell you not to fuck with the mushroom, bro . if you wanna play , i say start with lucy or mesc and work from there.
 shit , i posted this and didn't bother reading all the replies. you on the safer path, dude.
-------------------- I only do legal drugs like alcohol , tobacco and valium so fuck off and die
  :
Edited by atomicshaman (06/28/11 05:20 AM)
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Dawks
Jolly African Potato


Registered: 06/09/10
Posts: 4,935
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Re: Can I handle the psychedelic experience? [Re: grubbs]
#14684641 - 06/28/11 05:39 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
grubbs said: I'm 19 years old, and though I've been interested in trying hallucinogens for years, I have not yet experimented with any drug, aside from regular pot smoking and the occasional drink.
Stopped reading there. Yes dude you're ready. Anyone who is interested in the psychedelic experience is "ready". You just have to cultivate the appropriate set and setting.
Set and setting are more important than the drug itself. Psychedelic means "mind manifesting" and that's exactly what they do. They don't make you "hallucinate", or "see things that aren't there". They allow you to see what is there (in your mind) with greater depth and clarity. Think of a psychedelic as a projector that projects your inner mind into your outer world.
The reason why set and setting are so important is because the trip is created from them. The drug does not create the trip, it merely acts as a catalyst for the experience. Your environment (setting) is CRUCIAL to having a "good" or at least "worthwhile" trip. Everything around you will become the "trip": lights, sounds, colors, people, all ARE the trip. Make sure that you put yourself in a comfortable environment with nothing to fear, either trip alone or with a trusted close sitter. Make sure you KNOW that nothing will disturb your trip. No random intruders, no random phone calls you need to KNOW without a doubt that nothing will go wrong (aside from being hit be a meteor or something to that effect), if there's anything that could go wrong it probably will (not necessarily to bad effect but it WILL go wrong) so remove all negative vibes from your setting.
Set I find is less crucial to the trip. The reason for this is we trip to explore our minds. If our minds are full of bad vibes and "dark stuff" that doesn't mean we shouldn't trip, it just means that that will be reflected in our trip. For instance I love dark, creepy and weird shit. Watching horror movies on psychedelic come ups is quite normal for me, thinking about evil and death are all part of MANY of my trips. It never makes my trips go south because those things ARE my mind and I like them.
Obviously the best set to have is a psychedelic one. Meditation, ritual, music, philosophy. Fill your mind with psychedelic things when you trip, that will make you're trip very awesome. Thinking about deep things, the meaning of life, the true nature of awareness and so on.
Basically a bad trip is just fear. Usually fear of losing control. A bad trip is not "seeing monsters" or whatever. Just fear. If you trip in a place where you KNOW you are safe where you known nothing can go wrong then the fear will have a lot of trouble eating at you. If you however don't take these precautions the fear will get ya. If you start to think things like "I might get caught" or "I might get hurt" you probably will have a bad trip.
So just dose low, work your way up, maintain a good set and setting, do your research and you'll be fine. Shrooms are a great first psychedelic. Problem with mescaline is that many people have trouble dosing a significant amount on their first few tries and end up getting the wrong impression of psychedelics. Acids good too, but pretty unreliable in many areas. Once again though, set and setting are what's important, not the drug.
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