"Our normal waking consciousness, rational consciousness as we call it, is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different. We may go through life without suspecting their existence; but apply the requisite stimulus, and at a touch they are there in all their completeness, definite types of mentality which probably somewhere have their field of application and adaptation. No account of the universe in its totality can be final which leaves these other forms of consciousness quite disregarded. How to regard them is the question — for they are so discontinuous with ordinary consciousness. Yet they may determine attitudes though they cannot furnish formulas, and open a region though they fail to give a map. At any rate, they forbid a premature closing of our accounts with reality."

William James, 'The Varieties of Religious Experience'

come to nyc lets hang out together :)

I am concerned about psychedelics’ permanent effects on a person’s sanity

If this is your major concern, I’d go with shrooms. I’ve done them periodically across the last decade or so, and they really clear up your mind more so than messing with it (in my personal experience, every drugs affects everyone differently). I’d definitely recommend them over acid, and I don’t think you’re talking about weed, which is in another class, but still some people consider psychedelic.

I don’t take drugs or alcohol

Any hallucinogen or psychedelic that you take is gonna kinda fuck with your head a bit while the drug is in your system. I would absolutely start with something more mild, maybe weed or drinking, just to get used to being out of your mind a bit. With all trips, you’re really in the driver’s seat, so if you’re worried and it feels like it’s out of your control, you won’t have a good time.

That being said, I don’t think I’ve had a bad trip with shrooms. Make sure you’re doing it with someone whom you trust, who is more experienced than you with the drugs. And try to go to nature.

Just my 2c. Good luck with your endeavors.

@mattyb yeah not talking about weed. i thought shrooms was another name for acid so idk this stuff well. starting with something more mild first seems like good advice. tbc i'm convinced ill have a good time in the moment and i'll be glad to have done it after the fact, but idk if my past self will be happy with what i will later become. i am concerned about becoming woo and having bad takes all of a sudden..... uh.. ik it sounds stupid. but like it relaxes your priors in your brain, increases neuroplasticity, that kind of stuff? which is concerning if it conveniently makes you enjoy the change. i suppose that's probably more a concern with higher doses and a smaller one will be somewhat enjoyable without being dangerous in this way? but also i was told the right way to take it was with a mindset of self-improvement, and that's like what concerns me particularly, seems too high variance of a strat for self-improvement, but idk!

@mattyb @shankypanky

^ Good advice. 🙂

@Bayesian My own additional 2c:

• if you take something, take it because you want to take it. (Not just because someone else wants you to take it.) In a significant (but inexpressible) way, a trip can be incredibly personal.

• “You can always take more, you can never take less.” I recommend smaller amounts initially to “get to know” a drug and “make its acquaintance.”

• Consider your set (internal state) and setting (external environment). Both of these will hugely influence your experience.

• Erowid.org is an exemplary encyclopedic resource for research. They have an exhaustive library of first-person accounts of substances (e.g. “trip reports”), among so much more. Consider:

“Know your body. Know your mind. Know your substance. Know your dose. Know your source.”

Individual Code Of Conduct for Primary Religious Practices:

When I engage in spiritual practices designed to bring about profound changes in consciousness, I will consider my intentions and will choose carefully the occasion and location for the practice. I will be well-informed about the mental and physical effects, anticipate reasonably foreseeable risks to myself and others, and employ safeguards to minimize these risks.

Safeguards may include:

• Ensuring that my setting is reasonably free of hazards.

• Ensuring that I will not operate automobiles or other potentially dangerous machinery.

• Taking myself ‘off-duty’ from responsibilities.

• Arranging for someone to be ‘on-duty’ (a ‘sitter’) to keep the session safe and respond appropriately to any exigencies that might arise.

some particular psychedelics you're considering or your friends are sharing about?

@shankypanky no LOL, literally just referred to as psychedelics

@Bayesian you have a few options and I could weigh in on a lot of them lol

@shankypanky if you have specific recommendations id love to hear them.. but yeah my concern is permanent brain modification that my new self agrees with but my past self powerlessly recoils in horror from.. maybe a silly concern..

@Bayesian for me, a good starting point is (mostly because of connotation and stigma) to not consider them "drugs" as much as something medicinal. psychedelics can be really expansive and healing and impactful in a lot of ways, and for a lot of people - particularly those who stay away from "substances" - thinking of them as drugs seems indulgent or negative etc.

not suggesting that's you ofc, just something I've noticed along the way personally and I think framing makes a difference. totally understand your hesitation and it's not silly at all btw - it's great that you know your hesitations or worries. we could talk 1:1 instead of me going on about it in comments? but basically I'm not into convincing anyone of anything when it comes to this but I could share with you if you're curious but hesitant, and then you could make the choices that are right for you whenever the right moment comes (which I generally think is the best approach to most things really). 🧡