cannabisnews.com: Drug's Mystical Properties Confirmed










  Drug's Mystical Properties Confirmed

Posted by CN Staff on July 11, 2006 at 10:41:02 PT
By David Brown, Washington Post Staff Writer 
Source: Washington Post 

USA -- Psilocybin, the active ingredient of "magic mushrooms," expands the mind. After a thousand years of use, that's now scientifically official. The chemical promoted a mystical experience in two-thirds of people who took it for the first time, according to a new study. One-third rated a session with psilocybin as the "single most spiritually significant" experience of their lives. Another third put it in the top five.
"As a cancer survivor, I found that humor helped me deal with treatment. Unfortunately, some of my healthy counterparts had trouble with me laughing going through the ordeal. I'm glad to see I was not alone. Whether it be cancer or anything else, we can laugh about it or cry about it why cry?"The study, published online today in the journal Psychopharmacology, is the first randomized, controlled trial of a substance used for centuries in Mexico and Central America to produce mystical insights. Almost no research on a psychedelic drug in human subjects has been done in this country since the 1960s. It confirms what both shamans and hippies have long said -- taking psilocybin is a scary, reality-bending and occasionally life-changing experience.The researchers say they hope the experiment opens a door to the study of a class of compounds that alter human perception and erode the boundaries of self -- at least in some users. They hope it will provide new insight into how the brain works and what neurochemical events underlie moments of mystical rapture.If the generally positive effects of the drug are confirmed by other studies, the research is likely to raise the question of whether people should be allowed access to psilocybin for self-improvement or recreation.Rigorous study of these substances has been shunned since the 1960s, although it is not legally prohibited. Research on them was a casualty of the muddled mix of science and advocacy by people like Timothy Leary, the LSD guru and former Harvard psychologist once called the "most dangerous man in America" by President Richard M. Nixon."Our study has shown we can conduct a study of this type safely, and that the effects produced are really quite interesting," said Roland R. Griffiths of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who ran the experiment. "There is a clear neuroscience agenda to understand those effects, and clear clinical applications that could be pursued."Other brain researchers hailed the experiment as much for the fact that it was done at all as for its findings."These are some of the most potent compounds we know of that can change consciousness," said David E. Nichols, a professor of medicinal chemistry at Purdue University who has studied the effects of psychedelics on rats and cultured cells. "It's kind of peculiar they have just been kind of sitting on the shelf for 40 years. There is no other class of biologically active substances I am aware of that have been ignored like that."The study, which involved 36 middle-aged adults from the Baltimore-Washington area, was conducted over five years. The subjects were chosen from 135 people who answered newspaper ads. All said they were members of a religious organization, practiced meditation or took part in other spiritual activity.The study was designed to minimize the effects of anticipation and group enthusiasm, which might color a person's response. It also sought to examine the delayed, as well as immediate, effects of the drug.The volunteers were randomly assigned to take either 30 milligrams of psilocybin (chemically synthesized, not extracted from mushrooms) or 40 milligrams of methylphenidate, the stimulant sold as Ritalin. The sessions lasted eight hours in a room where a person could listen to music, relax on a couch with eyeshades or talk with two monitors always in attendance. Each subject then took the other drug in a different session two months later.Of the 36 people, 22 had a "complete" mystical experience as judged by several question-based scales used for rating such experiences. Two-thirds judged it to be among their top five life experiences, equal to the birth of a first child or death of a parent. Two months after a session, the people who had taken psilocybin reported small but significant positive changes in behavior and attitudes compared with those who had taken Ritalin.One-third of the subjects, however, said they experienced "strong or extreme" fear at some point in the hours after they took the hallucinogen. Four people said the entire session was dominated by anxiety or psychological struggle.Nichols thinks that last finding should give people pause."I think these drugs are potentially very dangerous," he said. "I would be very disappointed if in any sense these results were used to encourage recreational use of these compounds. I wouldn't want to take responsibility for anyone under unmonitored conditions coming up with those feelings."Alan Leshner, who headed the National Institute on Drug Abuse for seven years and now leads the American Association for the Advancement of Science, was both wary and excited about psilocybin's reported effects."If it is ultimately shown to be benign but enriches people's lives, who could object to that? But I don't have that level of confidence at this point, given the paucity of research on it," he said.A scholar of mysticism, G. William Barnard of Southern Methodist University, suspects that most mystical traditions would not object to the idea that a chemical could allow a person to tune into a preexisting state of consciousness, usually ignored, just as fasting, prayer, yoga and other activities can. But there is less enthusiasm for the idea that this kind of research will unlock the mechanism of mystical insight."Most people I suspect would say that the neurochemistry is not the full cause of these experiences," he said.Note: 36 Area Adults Took Psilocybin in Study; Many Called Experience Spiritual.Source: Washington Post (DC)Author:  David Brown, Washington Post Staff WriterPublished: Tuesday, July 11, 2006; Page A08Copyright: 2006 Washington Post Contact: letterstoed washpost.comWebsite: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ Related Articles: Go Ask Alice: Mushroom Drug Is Studied Anewhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21988.shtmlHallucinogen Found To Have Diverse Effectshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21987.shtmlCounterculture Drug Provides Spiritual Boosthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21985.shtml 

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help





Comment #50 posted by whig on September 19, 2006 at 16:22:30 PT
Heretic
Agreed. It's already being litigated.http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/22/thread22099.shtml
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #49 posted by Heretic on September 19, 2006 at 08:24:45 PT:
we have Freedom of Religion, right?
I look forward to the day when the United States will implement freedom of religion as guaranteed in the First Amendment. Most people think we already have freedom of religion, but the only religions that are tolerated are those which use a placebo for their sacrament. True communion with the divinity within has been ruthlessly persecuted, in violation of the principles that the national forefathers came here for.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #48 posted by FoM on July 13, 2006 at 08:54:47 PT
Hi Paul
It's good to see you. Nothing much is going on right now as far as news goes. Most everyone is on vacation. I hope something good will happen this fall with elections that might start the beginning of a turn around for us. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I turned off the news and put on my new DVD from Pink Floyd called Pulse. The news is just to crazy with war and all. If the escalation of the war doesn't stop soon the draft will be back. I don't think young people understand what that means to their freedom but they will learn real quickly if it happens. I've seen it all before and it won't be pretty. Have a good day.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #47 posted by paulpeterson on July 13, 2006 at 08:11:37 PT
Alan Leshner-didn't he invent "Anandamide"?
I believe Alan Leshner is the one credited with discovering Anandamide-sanskrit for "drug of bliss" about 15 years ago or so? That either ushered in or was found by the discovery of the CB1 receptor site in the brain.Obviously, he would not have made the comment attributed to him if he was still at or at the helm of the NIDA today, eh?Just checking in. Paul Peterson
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #46 posted by global_warming on July 12, 2006 at 14:29:34 PT
re:c23 Harijan Girls
Not much different than the Jim Crowe system right here in River City.I have frequently approached my many Indian associates about this concept of caste system, they mostly agree that it was aimed at their so called minorities, much like our own minorities, who suffer the deepest in our modern day prisons.A question to you lb, did the Vedas pre-date the Laws of Manu?I think so, it was Manu who corrupted the sayings of the Rishis, priests, it was social/economics that shaped this horrible caste system.It seems that those untouchables are starting to reap some benefits, in these days, much like affirmative action here in River City.I asked if there were any untouchables at my place of work, the answer-No, due to thieir economic hardship, they cannot achieve enough status or money to get a good education..hmm, it seems that life goes on for poor people.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #45 posted by drfistusa on July 12, 2006 at 13:03:16 PT
correction 40 yrs ago!
actually it was 40 yrs ago when I used legal psycidelics, it is amazing that is took that long to discover what has been know for centuries in another reality system. These thing just don't fit into the present "story".
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #44 posted by FoM on July 12, 2006 at 13:03:03 PT
 drfistusa 
That is very interesting to read.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #43 posted by drfistusa on July 12, 2006 at 12:56:36 PT
Well confirmed 30 yrs ago for me
back when it was still legal, I attended a university that was strong in chemistry, hence I got the chance to try the best synthetic stuff like LSD, mescaline, pilosybin, also very good pot in those days, low cost. I became a zen Buddhist, lived in the wilderness, became or discovered I am shaman. Anyway, no wonder the establsment is against it so strongly not long ago people were burned at the stake for paranormal skills.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #42 posted by FoM on July 12, 2006 at 08:11:55 PT
One More Note on the Concert
They have a Vietnam Veterans Against The War booth set up too. I hope this tour helps make a big difference this fall when it comes time to change the mess we are in.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #41 posted by FoM on July 12, 2006 at 08:09:38 PT
News on Last Nights Performance in Toronto
http://neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/index.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #40 posted by FoM on July 12, 2006 at 08:05:37 PT
I Thought This Was Interesting
I know I will want to talk to someone from this organization when we see CSNY. I also hope that Stills will be able to continue on the tour if he really did fall and hurt his hand last night in Toronto. I haven't seen it confirmed so I am not sure if it's true. PDA to be among the organizations to table at Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's Historic "Freedom of Speech '06 Tour," running now through Sept. 10http://www.pdamerica.org/articles/events/2006-csny.php
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #39 posted by mayan on July 12, 2006 at 04:43:36 PT
Misc.
Some more reefer madness in Britain...Cannabis caused fatal 'stroke' for 23-year old man (UK):
http://tinyurl.com/o59mtThe 23 year old had evidently been complaining of headaches for over a month. Notice the headline and then this coroner's statement from the above linked article...The coroner said: "This may not have been a natural cause but I'm not prepared to say that it was definitely due to cannabis."Other news...Major Defeat for Big-Government Republicans: Adults Have Privacy Right to Use Marijuana in the Home, Says Alaska Judge in Landmark Ruling: http://www.progress.org/2006/aclu59.htmAlameda County to issue marijuana IDs for patients:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_4040144Livermore City Council extends marijuana plan: Conflicting state and federal laws are problem:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/localnews/ci_4040268
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #38 posted by runderwo on July 11, 2006 at 23:35:04 PT
mayan
AMBOY DUKES, THE » Journey To The Center Of The MindLeave your cares behindCome with us and findThe pleasures of a journey to the center of the mind(CHORUS)Come along if you careCome along if you dareTake a ride to the land inside of your mindBeyond the seas of thoughtBeyond the realm of whatAcross the streams of hopes and dreams Where things are really notBut please realizeYoull probably be surprisedFor it's the land unknown to manWhere fantasy is factSo if you can, please understandYou might not come back(CHORUS)How happy life could beIf all of mankindWould take the time to journey to the center of the mindWould take the time to journey to the center of the mindCenter of the mind
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #37 posted by FoM on July 11, 2006 at 20:49:22 PT
whig
I know. Maybe he has some peace now. I guess he had serious mental health issues and had diabetes I read. He died from a diabetic related cause.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syd_Barrett#Last_years
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #36 posted by whig on July 11, 2006 at 20:45:02 PT
FoM
Speaking of Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett passed away.I'm weird enough that I always liked the early stuff the best. Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, etc. Syd will be missed, though he's been missed for a long time.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #35 posted by FoM on July 11, 2006 at 19:42:34 PT
afterburner
Now you have mail. Pink Floyd would be fine. I wonder why it had to be classical music? The Moody Blues would be good too. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #34 posted by ekim on July 11, 2006 at 19:39:11 PT
afterburner great tribute to timothy
kinda neat seeing storys like these-- seems that the om has reached the skins of the trees for all to read, thanks museman for your willingness to bring us the story. 
thank you toke for telling Jerrys story and shaming us to do right. 
i do hope everyone is feeling the om as the wave is pulsing like the heart beat that it is.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #33 posted by afterburner on July 11, 2006 at 19:19:48 PT
Pink Floyd Is Classical...Classical Rock, That Is
You have mail.
[ Post Comment ]

 


Comment #32 posted by FoM on July 11, 2006 at 19:16:34 PT

A Comment about the Baltimore Sun Article
Excerpt: In a federally funded study, Hopkins researchers gave 36 volunteers pills containing psilocybin, a hallucinogen occurring naturally in some species of wild mushrooms. The volunteers then slipped on eye covers, put on headphones playing classical music and followed instructions to "look inward." ***I believe the setting is very important. I believe a person should be in a good frame of mind and be comfortable. Don't anyone that likes classical music get upset but if I had to listen to classical music with eye covers on I would have had a terrible trip if I had been in the study. If Pink Floyd is considered in the slightest bit classical well that would be fine. I would rather have a lava light to watch then to have my eyes covered.Hallucinogen Found To Have Diverse Effects:
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21987.shtml
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #31 posted by BGreen on July 11, 2006 at 19:02:19 PT

40 mg. of methylphenidate in a single dose?
The typical dosage is 20 to 30 mg. per day, divided into two or three doses.40 mg. at one time is like OD'ing on speed.There's no way that taking 40 mg. of methylphenidate could have been at all pleasant.Just give me my cannabis and leave me alone.The Reverend Bud Green
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #30 posted by afterburner on July 11, 2006 at 18:36:55 PT

Double Standard and Misinformation
"Rigorous study of these substances has been shunned since the 1960s, although it is not legally prohibited." Uh, Schedule 1, (no medical use or high risk of abuse). Erowid Psilocybin Mushroom Vault : Legal Status
http://www.erowid.org/plants/mushrooms/mushrooms_law.shtmlUh, DEA SWAT teams, ONDCP propaganda. I am glad to see these plants (actually fungi) and pharmaceutical synthetics being treated once again with respect, but get real!"These are some of the most potent compounds we know of that can change consciousness," said David E. Nichols, a professor of medicinal chemistry at Purdue University who has studied the effects of psychedelics on rats and cultured cells. "It's kind of peculiar they have just been kind of sitting on the shelf for 40 years. There is no other class of biologically active substances I am aware of that have been ignored like that." Ignored? Uh, Nixon, US Congress, CSA 1970, UN Single Convention, NIDA, DEA, ONDCP, the media, frightened parents, researchers' fear of professional suicide...{Timothy Leary, the LSD guru and former Harvard psychologist once called the "most dangerous man in America" by President Richard M. Nixon.} Yes, the pot calling the kettle black. Nixon said, "I am not a crook," masterminded the Watergate break-ins, resigned in disgrace to avoid impeachment, was "pardoned" by America's first unelected President, Gerald Ford. Consider the source, and stop demonizing Dr. Leary. He was not only an American patriot, but also a world citizen working to free the mind and spirit of humankind from its self-imposed shackles.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #29 posted by mayan on July 11, 2006 at 18:33:42 PT

FoM
Yeah, it looked like it was just slowed down.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #28 posted by FoM on July 11, 2006 at 18:26:53 PT

Mayan
Did they slow it down? That was funny. Thanks.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #27 posted by mayan on July 11, 2006 at 18:11:17 PT

Hilarious Video!
Bush Drinking Again? 
http://prisonplanet.com/articles/july2006/120706Drinking.htmHEE-HEE!!!
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #26 posted by ekim on July 11, 2006 at 18:05:34 PT

ot passen this a long
 WEB BEACONS TRACK YOU!If you belong to ANY Yahoo Groups - including this one - be
aware that Yahoo is now using "Web Beacons" to track every
Yahoo Group user. It's similar to cookies, but allows Yahoo to
record every website and every group you visit, even when you're
not connected to Yahoo. Look at their updated privacy statement athttp://privacy.yahoo.com/privacyAbout half-way down the page, in the section on cookies, you will
see a link that says WEB BEACONS.Click on the phrase "Web Beacons." On the page that opens, find
a paragraph entitled "Outside the Yahoo Network."In that section find a little "Click Here to Opt Out" link that will
let you "opt-out" of their snooping. Be careful! NOT to click on
the next button shown. It is an "Opt Back In" button that, if
clicked, will UNDO the opt-out.------------------------------------------------------------did anyone see that google just anounced that they will be going to Ann Arbor MI with over 1000 new jobs. 
gee i wonder if the fact that Ann Arbor has had a cannabis ticket law for over 35 years. For over two years the cool city has had a Med Cannabis use law in place had anything to do with the new company move?
http://www.saferniles.org
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #25 posted by mayan on July 11, 2006 at 18:01:54 PT

A Thousand Years 
Psilocybin, the active ingredient of "magic mushrooms," expands the mind. After a thousand years of use, that's now scientifically official. The chemical promoted a mystical experience in two-thirds of people who took it for the first time, according to a new study.This is pretty comical and sad at the same time. If the corrupted powers that be could drop their greed and develop a sense of goodness and spirituality they would have known this long ago. Then again, maybe they've known all along and seek to outlaw nature's sacraments to keep the masses from peeking out the window which offers a glimpse of the great beyond? I truly believe the world would be a much better place if every adult had a psychadelic experience in nature with comforting company to see them through. Hate and war would be things of the past. How could the ptb divide and conquer us then? Maybe that's why these substances have been demonized? THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Fox News Spin Attack Ends With Red-Faced Anchors: 9/11 truth scholar Fetzer anticipated slant of Hannity and Colmes spot:
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/july2006/110706spinattack.htmHannity’s Bullyboy Theatrics No Match For Professor Kevin Barrett (video): http://tinyurl.com/r4b2d9/11 flap won't stop UW lecturer - Legislators blast university decision:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=460062The Next Stage of the 9/11 Truth Movement:
http://prisonplanet.com/articles/july2006/110706Movement.htm
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #24 posted by Dr Ganj on July 11, 2006 at 17:38:44 PT

Psilocybin, DMT, MDMA, LSD, 2CB, Mescaline 
I've tried numerous psychedelics, and I feel the best is MDMA. Truly an awesome compound.
I recently smoked some DMT, and wrote about the experience afterword. Here is what I wrote:"I sat on my friend's couch, feeling comfortable, but a little apprehensive. I knew what I was about to do was going to be intense, and I was concerned about making the drive back home after my psychedelic journey.
As I put the lighter flame to the pipe, I noticed immediately it tasted like burning plastic. I had read DMT would taste like this, and sure enough, it was thoroughly unpleasant. I took a big hit, and held it in, fighting the impulse to cough out the nasty tasting smoke.
The effects were instant, and I was transported into a world my normal brain couldn't possibly envision. My body felt heavy, and the ceiling was pushing down, and the room was now smaller. Sounds were distorted, and there was this deep whooshing noise, as I fell into a vortex of colors & patterns. Undulating diamonds, pulsating rays of multi-colored light dancing and bouncing off of what appeared to be red velvet, and purple rods pointing to the core-which was solid gold. My mind traveled through the rods, and I entered the golden sphere, and at that moment I knew this was my center! This was the innermost essence of me!
A profound sense of tranquility took over me, and my mind was flooded with pure love.
I was floating in a magnificent golden orb with cosmic love-waves radiating out through the purple rods.
What I was experiencing was utterly fantastic. I knew it was life changing, and it was the proof I needed. My quest for truth was now complete. The question about God had been answered-loud and clear. 
Time was irrelevant, but I could feel a pull from above. I re-entered the purple rods, and came to the edge of the red velvet, and broke through to the other side. 
The whooshing sound returned, and I realized I was back on my friend's couch, and what seemed like an hour-long journey, was in fact only 5 minutes. There is a place so beautiful, wondrous, and majestic it defies description. What is truly amazing, it is inside all of us, and all we have to do is look." 

[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #23 posted by lombar on July 11, 2006 at 17:25:26 PT

global_warming
It's only my opinion... I am sure one of the Hindu faith may find it objectionable but the Upanishads and the gurus who passed them down were the preists of Siddartha Gotamas time, the teachings would have been the starting point for the Buddha. If it were satisfactory (to him and others) then there would have been no need to 'Turn the Wheel of Dharma' and teach his path to enlightenment. At that stage of my life, any or all of it would have had as much validity to me as the Sci-Fi novel... :)I meant the Dalits, formerly known as Harijan, the 'untouchables'. Seems they do the dirty work and are looked down on for it. The caste system to me represents the very worst possible social order being 'ordained' et al so having the force of divinity, kings and warriors could insure their nepotic rule. Harijan GirlsThese little girls are members of the lowest caste in the heirarchy. They are a part of what used to be known as the untouchables. They were called untouchables because people belived that they were so dirty that they were not fit to be touched by other people in higher castes. Their jobs involve doing most of the cleaning, or what we might call "dirty work." The name for them later changed from untouchables to Harijans, which means gods children. Recently this caste would rather be reffered to as Dalit, which means oppressed. In this particular picture the girls are making dung patties. The dung from cows are taken and made into patties and set out to dry (as you can see the rows of them), these patties are then used to be burned as fuel or for heat. Though it is the Harijans that have the task of making the patties, many other people from other castes benefit from them.
Harijan Girls
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #22 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 16:41:48 PT

and
the tax collectors
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #21 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 16:34:43 PT

There is a Better Place
In this universeSome place that is far far awayFrom the lawyers, judges and policemen,
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #20 posted by Hope on July 11, 2006 at 16:33:45 PT

A "Meat Puppet"?
What a horrible term! But it got the message across very clearly. I've never heard it said like that. Very, very descriptive, Whig.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #19 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 16:23:15 PT

and
there is much hopeand the good hand
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #18 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 15:59:34 PT

and
there is us
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #17 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 15:51:21 PT

there was that old carpenter
who freed the slaves
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #16 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 15:41:14 PT

re: 'Unclean ones' today? 
Cmon people
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #15 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 15:31:12 PT

lobar
i stand corrected,
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #14 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 15:28:58 PT

much like
that marinol crap the government is pushing down every bodies throughts, Ha, thanks whigger,
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #13 posted by lombar on July 11, 2006 at 15:25:16 PT

1 Gr of dried
Mushrooms was enough to have a mild hallucinogenic experience. I could not choke down much more... I have done as much as 3.5g of them, I had a voracious appetite for beer, I remember the last time I did them actually, I also drank about 30 beers...without ill effect. Its about the only time I ever really enjoyed drinkling alcohol. About a decade ago or so. Far weaker than LSD.g_w is that the same Upanishads that declares the caste system as the 'will of God', the caste system that still has 'Unclean ones' today? A better one would have been the Abhidamma - Path Of Purification.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #12 posted by whig on July 11, 2006 at 15:23:54 PT

gw 
I never saw or experienced synthetic psilocybin, and it seems silly to go to the trouble when the natural source is so much more readily available. However, I did encounter a synthetic analog, called ethylcybin, or 4-acetoxy-diethyltryptamine. Hard to describe the difference, except to say that the chemical tastes bad and is somewhat less effective as a painkiller than mushrooms. It has a harder edge, less friendly, but I don't know how much of that is the fact that it is a different chemical or its synthetic nature.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #11 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 15:00:53 PT

wow
whiggerI missed something important in my short life, hope that this new studies information may bring this experience to the world.They mentioned a synthetic compound, unlike the natural and complete source that was not used in the study, is there any difference? 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #10 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 14:55:06 PT

it is a shame to justice 
 Prosecutors: No charges for Limbaughhttp://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/07/05/limbaugh.viagra.ap/index.htmlNow there is a 55 year old man who should taste the full pleasure of the system, his hateful speech on the public airwaves, has shaped and driven this Republican Born Again Disgrace.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #9 posted by whig on July 11, 2006 at 14:51:29 PT

gw 
Psilocybin always got along very well with me.Mescaline was not as good. It gave me too much energy and no outlet, no pain relief, endless movement, turned me into a meat puppet for a few hours. I'm not sure I'd ever do that one again, but on the other hand I don't have so much pain now as I did.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #8 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 14:45:58 PT

so, whigger
how was that experience?Judging by your skillful script, it seems that you were one of the ones who had such a mystical vision.I tried mescalin a few times, it was reduced pure oil in very large capsules, very colorful, bitter burps, I think I met the God of that realm, though he appeared to me as an alligator or crocodile, 40 some years later my memory is a bit cloudy.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #7 posted by global_warming on July 11, 2006 at 14:38:10 PT

re: Does anyone think it could be seriously abused
It seems that some folks think so, do you wonder who they might be?Hey lombar, to bad you you wasted valuable time on some sci-fi book that is now covered by the dust, maybe if you had a good copy of the Upanishads??The article is a mixed bag, which highlights the lines between the scientists exploration of the materialistic explanation of consciousness, the soul, and human experience of God.Some people believe that everything in this universe can be explained in mathematics and pure scientific terms, while others have had those mystical experiences and have faced the fire of a universe that is so long and an answer is beyond the power of our human capacity.A bad trip can be easily diffused with the sensitive and gentle hand of of love, remember to use your good hand.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #6 posted by whig on July 11, 2006 at 14:24:56 PT

lombar
1 gram? That doesn't sound like enough to be very effective. With the P. mexicana sclerotia the standard dose (fresh) was about 17 grams, I think. Which should be about equivalent to 34 grams (fresh) P. cubensis. Dried weight is a fraction, of course. I believe P. cubensis fruitbodies are 90% water, so the dried gram equivalent is 3.4 grams.I never regretted taking a full standard dose, personally.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #5 posted by FoM on July 11, 2006 at 13:51:52 PT

Another Thought
I don't believe that Psilocybin is a subtance that would have a high abuse potential. Does anyone think it could be seriously abused?
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #4 posted by lombar on July 11, 2006 at 13:36:25 PT

One time...
When I was about 18 or so, I ate 1 gr of 'magic' mushrooms and I read a book, cover to cover. Boy was I ever messed up(this is sarcasm), so baked that I could not comprehend reality enough to escape it via Sci-Fi...I loved the book, "The Blue Adept" by Piers Anthony and I HAD to read the rest of the (then) trilogy. It is now a 6 book set. It screwed me up so bad I can't even remember the title... faugh!It makes me scratch my head in wonder at how often the anti-drug people completely discredit themselves and insult our intelligence every time they spout their nonsense. So I have to further wonder that they either know it and don't care or don't know it. Too evil or too ignorant, either way not fit to be making these choices for us, the med-pot users, or the world in general via prohibition.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 11, 2006 at 12:31:32 PT

runderwo 
You are so right. Never trip without a sitter. I haven't heard it said that way but it is similar to having a designated driver for people who are drinking.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #2 posted by runderwo on July 11, 2006 at 12:24:28 PT

hmm
"I wouldn't want to take responsibility for anyone under unmonitored conditions coming up with those feelings."Again, a problem that has been already solved in the stoner culture for 40 years or more (never trip without a sitter).
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #1 posted by Wayne on July 11, 2006 at 12:12:13 PT

did anyone else notice?
The apparent double-standard here is amazing.said David E. Nichols, "It's kind of peculiar they have just been kind of sitting on the shelf for 40 years. There is no other class of biologically active substances I am aware of that have been ignored like that."
--Ummm, MARIJUANA? At least the effects have been ignored for 40 years, anyway, and attempts at research have been all but extinguished."I would be very disappointed if in any sense these results were used to encourage recreational use of these compounds. I wouldn't want to take responsibility for anyone under unmonitored conditions coming up with those feelings."
--Yeah, heaven forbid. I'm surprised the DEA even approved the project.Alan Leshner was both wary and excited about psilocybin's reported effects."If it is ultimately shown to be benign but enriches people's lives, who could object to that?"
--WHO, INDEED....

[ Post Comment ]





  Post Comment