[Daniel_Plainview]

NYT --- Hallucinogens Have Doctors Tuning In Again

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'B')y JOHN TIERNEY
Published: April 11, 2010

***

Scientists are taking a new look at hallucinogens, which became taboo among regulators after enthusiasts like Timothy Leary promoted them in the 1960s with the slogan “Turn on, tune in, drop out.” Now, using rigorous protocols and safeguards, scientists have won permission to study once again the drugs’ potential for treating mental problems and illuminating the nature of consciousness.

After taking the hallucinogen, Dr. Martin put on an eye mask and headphones, and lay on a couch listening to classical music as he contemplated the universe.

“All of a sudden, everything familiar started evaporating,” he recalled. “Imagine you fall off a boat out in the open ocean, and you turn around, and the boat is gone. And then the water’s gone. And then you’re gone.”

Today, more than a year later, Dr. Martin credits that six-hour experience with helping him overcome his depression and profoundly transforming his relationships with his daughter and friends. He ranks it among the most meaningful events of his life, which makes him a fairly typical member of a growing club of experimental subjects.

Researchers from around the world are gathering this week in San Jose, Calif., for the largest conference on psychedelic science held in the United States in four decades. They plan to discuss studies of psilocybin and other psychedelics for treating depression in cancer patients, obsessive-compulsive disorder, end-of-life anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction to drugs or alcohol.

The results so far are encouraging but also preliminary, and researchers caution against reading too much into these small-scale studies. They do not want to repeat the mistakes of the 1960s, when some scientists-turned-evangelists exaggerated their understanding of the drugs’ risks and benefits.

Because reactions to hallucinogens can vary so much depending on the setting, experimenters and review boards have developed guidelines to set up a comfortable environment with expert monitors in the room to deal with adverse reactions.

***

[cipi604]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Daniel_Plainview', '[')url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/science/12psychedelics.html?ref=global-home]NYT --- Hallucinogens Have Doctors Tuning In Again[/url]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'B')y JOHN TIERNEY
Published: April 11, 2010

***

Scientists are taking a new look at hallucinogens, which became taboo among regulators after enthusiasts like Timothy Leary promoted them in the 1960s with the slogan “Turn on, tune in, drop out.” Now, using rigorous protocols and safeguards, scientists have won permission to study once again the drugs’ potential for treating mental problems and illuminating the nature of consciousness.

After taking the hallucinogen, Dr. Martin put on an eye mask and headphones, and lay on a couch listening to classical music as he contemplated the universe.

“All of a sudden, everything familiar started evaporating,” he recalled. “Imagine you fall off a boat out in the open ocean, and you turn around, and the boat is gone. And then the water’s gone. And then you’re gone.”

Today, more than a year later, Dr. Martin credits that six-hour experience with helping him overcome his depression and profoundly transforming his relationships with his daughter and friends. He ranks it among the most meaningful events of his life, which makes him a fairly typical member of a growing club of experimental subjects.

Researchers from around the world are gathering this week in San Jose, Calif., for the largest conference on psychedelic science held in the United States in four decades. They plan to discuss studies of psilocybin and other psychedelics for treating depression in cancer patients, obsessive-compulsive disorder, end-of-life anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction to drugs or alcohol.

The results so far are encouraging but also preliminary, and researchers caution against reading too much into these small-scale studies. They do not want to repeat the mistakes of the 1960s, when some scientists-turned-evangelists exaggerated their understanding of the drugs’ risks and benefits.

Because reactions to hallucinogens can vary so much depending on the setting, experimenters and review boards have developed guidelines to set up a comfortable environment with expert monitors in the room to deal with adverse reactions.

***

[Ludi]

I wonder what the side effects are compared to those of anti-depressant medications, which can include liver and renal failure, sudden unexplained death, etc.

[dinopello]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('cipi604', 'P')sylocibin cubensis are the best!

[SeaGypsy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dinopello', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('cipi604', 'P')sylocibin cubensis are the best!

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', ' ')As soon as their trial subjects suddenly transform into non alcohol imbibing vegan anticonsumers.

[SeaGypsy]

My experience is that DMT is so powerfully transformative it could turn humanity around before we hit the wall. Acid leaves crystals in the synapses, which is dangerous. DMT replicates natural brain chemistry at the point of near death. Seems to be by far the most interesting substance in current research of brain chemistry. The shame with illegality is that 'self originating scientist's research never sees the light of day.

[PrestonSturges]

The Indians believed that psilocybin put them in touch with the gods. But they were OK about sharing them with the hippies, not out of the goodness of their hearts, but because the whites showing up meant the gods had abandoned them anyway.

[Nefarious]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', ' ')As soon as their trial subjects suddenly transform into non alcohol imbibing vegan anticonsumers.

[threadbear]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'M')y experience is that DMT is so powerfully transformative it could turn humanity around before we hit the wall. Acid leaves crystals in the synapses, which is dangerous. DMT replicates natural brain chemistry at the point of near death. Seems to be by far the most interesting substance in current research of brain chemistry. The shame with illegality is that 'self originating scientist's research never sees the light of day.

[billg]

Another excellent book on the subject When The Impossible Happens by Stanislav Grof

[Kristen]

Neomaster, I feel your pain. I've been on and off anti-depressants (SSRI's) for a good 15 years of my life. Currently, the medication is too expensive so I went cold turkey three months ago and man, SSRI discontinuation syndrome is not something I wish upon anyone. I do take 5-htp (hydroxytrytophan) on occasion and it does improve my mood without feeling so numb and drugged. I would recommend it for you if your mood interferes with living out your life.

[yeahbut]

"The Varieties of Psychedelic Experience" is a great book about clinical work with hallucinogens in the 50's and 60's. It was written in 1966 by researchers who had been working with LSD and psilocybin as a therapy tool for 15 years. Highly recommended.

[davep]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Kristen', 'N')eomaster, I feel your pain. I've been on and off anti-depressants (SSRI's) for a good 15 years of my life. Currently, the medication is too expensive so I went cold turkey three months ago and man, SSRI discontinuation syndrome is not something I wish upon anyone. I do take 5-htp (hydroxytrytophan) on occasion and it does improve my mood without feeling so numb and drugged. I would recommend it for you if your mood interferes with living out your life.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('davep', '
')I would recommend l-tryptophan rather than 5-htp, if you can find it.

[davep]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('davep', '
')I would recommend l-tryptophan rather than 5-htp, if you can find it.

[Vogelzang]

Text deleted:
3.1.1 Adult content
3.1.6 Repetitive messages: This includes cross-posting, flooding, and spamming.
3.1.11 Moderator evasion: Attempts to evade moderators, including deceptive alternative login IDs, change of moderator edited content, or other behavior that seeks to circumvent moderation. Moderator evasion is regarded as a serious and intentional violation of the COC.
3.1.13 Link baiting: prohibited. Posts created with the primary intent of directing traffic to a web link are prohibited. Such posts are subject to deletion. The behavior is regarded as a serious violation of the COC.

[eXpat]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', '
')As long as these people don't really find a cure for 'normal' their activities will be acceptable. As soon as their trial subjects suddenly transform into non alcohol imbibing vegan anticonsumers, these experiments will once again be declared too dangerous and banned.

2 books everyone should read are: The Politics of Ecstacy (Tim Leary) and The Electric Cool Aid Acid Test (Tom Wolfe).

[Subjectivist]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Kristen', 'N')eomaster, I feel your pain. I've been on and off anti-depressants (SSRI's) for a good 15 years of my life. Currently, the medication is too expensive so I went cold turkey three months ago and man, SSRI discontinuation syndrome is not something I wish upon anyone. I do take 5-htp (hydroxytrytophan) on occasion and it does improve my mood without feeling so numb and drugged. I would recommend it for you if your mood interferes with living out your life.

[Rod_Cloutier]

Since I started using Ayahuasca at home about a year ago, I've had many experiences with DMT. The 'bad' trips were the ones that I learned the most from, the blissful, orgasmic trips were just that and not much more.

I started into the new age community online, and I'm currently engaged in the perplexing but unique book 'Seth speaks':

https://youtu.be/HSdJk_bGnQs

The book written in 1970, (the year I was born), speaks to all of the new age concepts and surprisingly, it doesn't seem dated given that it's from 44 years ago. I posted the link to the audio book above. The book will make no sense to you at all unless you're experienced with psychedelics. A fair warning.