Hallucinogens/entheogens?

Post Reply New Topic

Conceptually, hallucinogens (psychedelics in particular) work on perception and emotions, two areas people with ASD and other related conditions frequently have problems with. Does that mean they're the theoretical ideal solution for us?

Never tried them, but as with other drugs, I am guessing they can make it either better or worse. Depending on the person, the trip, how comfortable you are, etc.

I know that psychedelics have made me look at the world in a much more open and interested way. My senses in general have definitely been permanently altered.. and I like it, it's more fun.

There are (at least) three things I'd recommend if you ever take a psychedelic type substance..

1. For your first experience(s), control your environment as much as possible. unless you feel exceptionally confident, take it at home during a time when you know no one will be coming over and it is unlikely anyone will unexpectedly. Turn off your phone, etc, etc (you can always turn them back on later in the trip if you think you can handle it). If you still live with your parents, I wouldn't even try, unless they are open to the idea.
2. Start low, and always remember, it will end, even if it will seem to take a long time If things start to seem too crazy, simply relax, listen to relaxing music or do whatever it is that normally relaxes you. Ultimately, psychedelics are primarily super-stimulants, and what they do is super-amplify all your senses, emotions, and thinking processes. Ultimately, you control everything happens on a psychedelic experience - if you're willing. You control how you react, and you control the stimuli that will make you react in the first place (see 1).
3. One suggestion I always read is to if at all possible be with someone else who has taken them before and can help you out if necessary, or have them available via phone, etc (though I never have )

And, ultimately, preparation and research, while important, can only do so much in anticipating the psychedelic experience. If you're at all scared of trying, I'd recommend either waiting until you feel more confident or starting with a very low dose.

The key thing is to NOT PANIC. This goes for life in general Panicking tends to build on itself, and when you can make things instantaneously appear before you by just thinking about them, you might get overwhelmed, especially if you don't realize you're actually creating them It's a learning process

Enjoy

Overall psychedelics can be very useful to everyone when used in a responsible way. They have definitely helped me.

Some elements of a psychedelic experience also seem to closely mirror autistic/aspergic traits, the general idea of heightened senses and 'drifting off' into deep thoughts, even if you don't necessarily remember quite what you were thinking about once you've undrifted, which strikes me as interesting.

One last tip: don't be afraid to talk to yourself during the trip.. the key thing for me during any experience is to not try and hide anything.. once I start trying to do that, it all builds on itself and nothing good comes of it. So talking out loud is a good way to work out whatever minor internal inconsistencies might arise.. Remember, psychedelics are simply super-stimulants, so you won't really be having 'new' thoughts so much as having the thoughts you normally have become super-amplified and amazingly impossible to ignore (as you may have normally been doing without even realizing it).

I like psychedelics......not sure if in my case it did more harm or good, I've had good experiances and bad experiances with such things. I feel like how lights look in the dark had been permanantley changed for me I can't particularly remember what they looked like before I ever tripped but I know it never went back to how it was before......but it does not really bother me any, just an intresting thing. I also notice textures more like if there is a patteren on the floor or something than I did before.

I think how they effect an indivudual has a lot to do with how the individual uses them.

mglosenger, great advice... somehow I always tend to forget to do something essential (with regards to set and setting) whenever the opportunity arises... too disorganized, but I think these may be helping with that again. Interesting you describe them as 'super-stimulants'... ironic, then, that so many people are afraid of them (whereas many are addicted to the usual stims).

Lately I've been wondering how much of an impact the physiological state has on the psychedelic experience... it indeed has something to do with autistic chemistry. I always happen to realize that I used to think similarly when younger, and somehow grew out of it...