I appreciate this account. I'm sure you're aware of the "The Microdose" Substack, which comes out of Michael Pollan's research lab on psychedelics. I was in my mid-twenties as well when I first discovered psychedelics, and they have changed my life, consistently, in a singularly positive way. Set and Setting remain the most important two things to consider, but it's been useful to consider how "set and setting" applies to all aspects of life. Despite the tired citations of "but what about bad trips?" I've had far worse "bad trips" with alcohol, marijuana, and pharmaceuticals than any psychedelic ... it's all about intentionality, respect for the compound, the experience, and most importantly, the self. Thanks for your words
HI Samuél, Thank you for the note! Interesting to know that you've been on a similar journey. I'm thrilled to discover your Substack which really looks fantastic. And thank you for the tip on 'The Microdose,' which I haven't discovered yet. I think I'll post something sooner or later arguing with aspects of Michael Pollan's approach to psychedelics. The mainstreamization of it is nice but I think he has a tendency to make psychedelics an extension of clinical psychotherapy as opposed to seeing them for the paradigm-shifting agents that they really are.
Thanks for the kind words Castalia! I agree 100% that the potential mainstreamization of psychedelics as a primarily therapeutic tool pigeonholes the substances and immediately puts them into a medical/clinical realm, when I agree with you--they're really not JUST about that. Also, the experiential differences between DMT, LSD, psilocybine, ketamine, etc. (and even edibles, which are insanely strong these days, especially Delta-8) are so unique that to talk about 'psychedelics' as a singular thing has rarely done more than reinforce the calcified ideas so many people have about "mind-altering" drugs.
Agreed. This whole conversation has moved so far so fast over the last decade or so - I think further than anybody thought possible - that it seems ungrateful to be anything less than thrilled at where the conversation has gotten to. But, yes, 'psychedelics,' ''mind-altering' drugs - any terminology we have really - fails to capture the nuance of what's actually being talked about. Thank you again. Look forward to chatting more.
I haven’t done LSD. Been too terrified! This is encouraging to read - at least makes me consider it more than I would have.
Gotta try it
Thanks June! Highly recommended but with reservations attached.
Lol ok!
I appreciate this account. I'm sure you're aware of the "The Microdose" Substack, which comes out of Michael Pollan's research lab on psychedelics. I was in my mid-twenties as well when I first discovered psychedelics, and they have changed my life, consistently, in a singularly positive way. Set and Setting remain the most important two things to consider, but it's been useful to consider how "set and setting" applies to all aspects of life. Despite the tired citations of "but what about bad trips?" I've had far worse "bad trips" with alcohol, marijuana, and pharmaceuticals than any psychedelic ... it's all about intentionality, respect for the compound, the experience, and most importantly, the self. Thanks for your words
HI Samuél, Thank you for the note! Interesting to know that you've been on a similar journey. I'm thrilled to discover your Substack which really looks fantastic. And thank you for the tip on 'The Microdose,' which I haven't discovered yet. I think I'll post something sooner or later arguing with aspects of Michael Pollan's approach to psychedelics. The mainstreamization of it is nice but I think he has a tendency to make psychedelics an extension of clinical psychotherapy as opposed to seeing them for the paradigm-shifting agents that they really are.
Thanks for the kind words Castalia! I agree 100% that the potential mainstreamization of psychedelics as a primarily therapeutic tool pigeonholes the substances and immediately puts them into a medical/clinical realm, when I agree with you--they're really not JUST about that. Also, the experiential differences between DMT, LSD, psilocybine, ketamine, etc. (and even edibles, which are insanely strong these days, especially Delta-8) are so unique that to talk about 'psychedelics' as a singular thing has rarely done more than reinforce the calcified ideas so many people have about "mind-altering" drugs.
Agreed. This whole conversation has moved so far so fast over the last decade or so - I think further than anybody thought possible - that it seems ungrateful to be anything less than thrilled at where the conversation has gotten to. But, yes, 'psychedelics,' ''mind-altering' drugs - any terminology we have really - fails to capture the nuance of what's actually being talked about. Thank you again. Look forward to chatting more.