5 ms·

BBC Horizon - Psychedelic Science - DMT, LSD, Ibogaine

31 points by ulvund 16y ago

jaekwon 16y ago
For people working in high tech, LSD usage increased creativity the following day.
- J3L2404 16y ago
  Citation?
  - jey 16y ago
    In the current legal climate it's pretty much impossible to do any research on these issues, so we only have anecdotal reports for now. I'd personally like to see some responsible and sober research into the actual effects of psychedelics that have a well-established safety profile. Anecdotal: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2009/07/09/dr-lsd-to-steve-jobs-how-was-your-trip/ http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2009/07/09/dr-lsd-to-steve-jobs-... Anecdotal: http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v18n1/v18n1-MAPS_24.pdf http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v18n1/v18n1-MAPS_24.pdf Anecdotal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kary_Mullis#Use_of_LSD http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kary_Mullis#Use_of_LSD Implicit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7F2X3rSSCU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7F2X3rSSCU
- acg 16y ago
  I know people who took LSD innocently in the wrong environment and they're sectioned under mental health. Use with care.
  - jey 16y ago
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_and_setting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_and_setting
  - jamesbressi 16y ago
    Interestingly, I hear these stories all the time of "I heard of someone..." "know of someone..." "who took acid and is committed to a ward in a mental health facility." but have yet to ever have anyone verify this. It makes the permanent "bad trip" seem almost myth (not saying you are part of this group, just brought this to mind)
    - sliverstorm 16y ago
      More important to me; as I understand it the possibility of relapses at a much later date are not a myth. As such, I feel it's totally reasonable for law enforcement and similar jobs to immediately reject anyone with a history containing LSD (and I understand at least some do). So, if you want to work in law enforcement, you might want to avoid LSD. (If you think LEO's should be allowed to have a history of LSD, let me ask you- assuming relapses happen- do you really want a guy with a gun and the authority to use it tripping on you? It may be million-to-one, but I sure don't)
      - jamesbressi 16y ago
        While I believe your reasoning seems logical, it is flawed if you are singling out LSD or other "drugs". I'm not saying I do not agree with you. But, alcohol abuse is estimated to be twice as prevalent in law enforcement (in the U.S. at least) than in the general population. Alcohol Dementia is caused by long-term or excessive drinking (I don't believe it's long-term drinking, instead long-term unmoderated (excessive) drinking) that causes serious cognitive problems--in fact, 10% of all dementia patients reportedly have a history of prolonged alcohol abuse. And if you know about dementia / alcohol dementia, that is just as scary a thought, and a much more imminent and likely danger compared to someone "relapsing" from prior LSD use. Just food for thought. And, mind you, a person can have a "flash-back" regardless of drug use if it was traumatic--e.g. post-war.
        sliverstorm 16y ago
        I wasn't singling out LSD. If dementia can cause similar effects, it makes just as much sense to prevent people with a history of any dementia, or something that will reliably cause dementia, from becoming LEO's.
- Alex3917 16y ago
  I don't think this is true. There were a couple of academic studies showing that low doses of LSD (~25 mics) improved creativity during the session, but I don't think there have been any studies showing that a normal dose improved creativity the next day. FYI The book What The Dormouse Said talks about the influence of LSD on the technology industry.
acg 16y ago
To paraphrase one of the people in the video LSD is like a catalyst: it depends on who you are and where you are. Against all the benefits that these drugs offer they can also create mental illness. These drugs definitely need some control as they have just enough power to ruin as to enlighten. It would be good to advocate personal choice but widespread use can cause problems with society.
- dsc 16y ago
  A friend of mine sees a flying stomach wherever he goes, thanks to LSD. He dropped out of college, during his senior year. Sad.
  - pstuart 16y ago
    Thanks to LSD? Perhaps to mental issues that already existed?
    - acg 16y ago
      To represent LSD as risk free way to expand your mind just is not right. If you are going to take LSD be sure of your environment or who you are around. It isn't just whether you have certain mental state beforehand as you mental state is highly suggestive while tripping. Even recreational users in the 60's recognise that a bummer is possible. It can be worse than just having a bad trip. I've seen paranoia and other unwanted effects. It's a double edged sword, so you are much better to control your environment as much as possible. Steering clear of negativity.
      - pstuart 16y ago
        But I wasn't saying it was risk free, just that it isn't fair to blame LSD for "damaging the mind" when the mind may already be damaged.
- r0s 16y ago
  they can also create mental illness. I'm sorry but this is a a claim frequently made without context. Some evidence would be refreshing, along with some known causation, neurochemical or otherwise. An anecdotal example, a friend of mine developed severe depression brought on by something inhibiting serotonin production/reception. Since LSD can vastly increase serotonin temporarily he suspected frequent LSD use could have something to do with it. This is one case out of hundreds of cases I know with no negative consequences. Going by my personal experience psychedelics are less dangerous than alcohol. But personal experience is inadequate to explain the effects of these substances.
dsc 16y ago
I wonder if I could link LSD to the jerky movement of a very clever professor I know...
RevRal 16y ago
There's also peyote use in the Native American Church.
weeksie 16y ago
At my studio back in Sydney we had several San Pedro cactuses (they contain mescaline and are identical to Peyote in effect) growing on the balcony. One night after taking everyone out for drinks we went back to the studio and got into them. I was lounging around talking with one of my business partners about how we didn't think it was really going to kick in. A bit later we noticed that conversation had drifted to talking about reverse entropy and why it was impossible to observe time going backward . . . at that point we knew it was working. About twelve hours later my girlfriend dropped by (it was the next day) and I was jumping around the office telling everybody to look at my hooves. It wore off about four hours later. After a solid hunk of sleep I got up feeling ridiculously mentally refreshed. I enjoy infrequent controlled use of hallucinogens, I find it a great mental recharge and also a pretty good time. I live in New York now and I was quite happy to see that San Pedros are even easier to get ahold of in the states than the were in Oz :)
- r0s 16y ago
  If you've never done Peyote, it's a bit different, containing lots of different alkaloids. The effect is pretty similar though. Always depends on the person and context. San Pedro is really easy to grow yourself, and totally legal.
  - weeksie 16y ago
    I haven't actually eaten Peyote, that's interesting that there is a different effect. I wouldn't turn any down if I cam across it but San Pedro is so easy and cheap to come by and since it's mescaline as well I can't imagine it's too different. Thanks for the info!
- jamesbressi 16y ago
  Great share. Curious how you extracted so quickly from the cacti though? Did you already have it prepared, because it looks like you have to boil it out for several hours or use an acid-base extraction?
  - weeksie 16y ago
jgg 16y ago
On a related note, here's a mathematician comparing his experiences with DMT and LSD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDgmpiE-U0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDgmpiE-U0
martinp22 16y ago
Studies have shown that ibogaine treatment reduces craving for opiates, stimulants (like cocaine or methamphetamine) and even alcohol after a single dose. What is especially intriguing to scientists is the fact that this effect can last a long time (anywhere from ten days to a few months), allowing the person to experience a state of mind they may not have anticipated experiencing again. Please visit http://www.ibogaine-treatment.com http://www.ibogaine-treatment.com for more information.

31 points by ulvund 16y ago

jaekwon 16y ago

For people working in high tech, LSD usage increased creativity the following day.

J3L2404 16y ago
Citation?
- jey 16y ago
  In the current legal climate it's pretty much impossible to do any research on these issues, so we only have anecdotal reports for now. I'd personally like to see some responsible and sober research into the actual effects of psychedelics that have a well-established safety profile. Anecdotal: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2009/07/09/dr-lsd-to-steve-jobs-how-was-your-trip/ http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2009/07/09/dr-lsd-to-steve-jobs-... Anecdotal: http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v18n1/v18n1-MAPS_24.pdf http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v18n1/v18n1-MAPS_24.pdf Anecdotal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kary_Mullis#Use_of_LSD http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kary_Mullis#Use_of_LSD Implicit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7F2X3rSSCU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7F2X3rSSCU
acg 16y ago
I know people who took LSD innocently in the wrong environment and they're sectioned under mental health. Use with care.
- jey 16y ago
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_and_setting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_and_setting
- jamesbressi 16y ago
  Interestingly, I hear these stories all the time of "I heard of someone..." "know of someone..." "who took acid and is committed to a ward in a mental health facility." but have yet to ever have anyone verify this. It makes the permanent "bad trip" seem almost myth (not saying you are part of this group, just brought this to mind)
  - sliverstorm 16y ago
    More important to me; as I understand it the possibility of relapses at a much later date are not a myth. As such, I feel it's totally reasonable for law enforcement and similar jobs to immediately reject anyone with a history containing LSD (and I understand at least some do). So, if you want to work in law enforcement, you might want to avoid LSD. (If you think LEO's should be allowed to have a history of LSD, let me ask you- assuming relapses happen- do you really want a guy with a gun and the authority to use it tripping on you? It may be million-to-one, but I sure don't)
    - jamesbressi 16y ago
      While I believe your reasoning seems logical, it is flawed if you are singling out LSD or other "drugs". I'm not saying I do not agree with you. But, alcohol abuse is estimated to be twice as prevalent in law enforcement (in the U.S. at least) than in the general population. Alcohol Dementia is caused by long-term or excessive drinking (I don't believe it's long-term drinking, instead long-term unmoderated (excessive) drinking) that causes serious cognitive problems--in fact, 10% of all dementia patients reportedly have a history of prolonged alcohol abuse. And if you know about dementia / alcohol dementia, that is just as scary a thought, and a much more imminent and likely danger compared to someone "relapsing" from prior LSD use. Just food for thought. And, mind you, a person can have a "flash-back" regardless of drug use if it was traumatic--e.g. post-war.
      - sliverstorm 16y ago
        I wasn't singling out LSD. If dementia can cause similar effects, it makes just as much sense to prevent people with a history of any dementia, or something that will reliably cause dementia, from becoming LEO's.
Alex3917 16y ago
I don't think this is true. There were a couple of academic studies showing that low doses of LSD (~25 mics) improved creativity during the session, but I don't think there have been any studies showing that a normal dose improved creativity the next day. FYI The book What The Dormouse Said talks about the influence of LSD on the technology industry.

acg 16y ago

To paraphrase one of the people in the video LSD is like a catalyst: it depends on who you are and where you are. Against all the benefits that these drugs offer they can also create mental illness. These drugs definitely need some control as they have just enough power to ruin as to enlighten. It would be good to advocate personal choice but widespread use can cause problems with society.

dsc 16y ago
A friend of mine sees a flying stomach wherever he goes, thanks to LSD. He dropped out of college, during his senior year. Sad.
- pstuart 16y ago
  Thanks to LSD? Perhaps to mental issues that already existed?
  - acg 16y ago
    To represent LSD as risk free way to expand your mind just is not right. If you are going to take LSD be sure of your environment or who you are around. It isn't just whether you have certain mental state beforehand as you mental state is highly suggestive while tripping. Even recreational users in the 60's recognise that a bummer is possible. It can be worse than just having a bad trip. I've seen paranoia and other unwanted effects. It's a double edged sword, so you are much better to control your environment as much as possible. Steering clear of negativity.
    - pstuart 16y ago
      But I wasn't saying it was risk free, just that it isn't fair to blame LSD for "damaging the mind" when the mind may already be damaged.
r0s 16y ago
they can also create mental illness. I'm sorry but this is a a claim frequently made without context. Some evidence would be refreshing, along with some known causation, neurochemical or otherwise. An anecdotal example, a friend of mine developed severe depression brought on by something inhibiting serotonin production/reception. Since LSD can vastly increase serotonin temporarily he suspected frequent LSD use could have something to do with it. This is one case out of hundreds of cases I know with no negative consequences. Going by my personal experience psychedelics are less dangerous than alcohol. But personal experience is inadequate to explain the effects of these substances.

dsc 16y ago

I wonder if I could link LSD to the jerky movement of a very clever professor I know...

RevRal 16y ago

There's also peyote use in the Native American Church.

weeksie 16y ago

At my studio back in Sydney we had several San Pedro cactuses (they contain mescaline and are identical to Peyote in effect) growing on the balcony. One night after taking everyone out for drinks we went back to the studio and got into them. I was lounging around talking with one of my business partners about how we didn't think it was really going to kick in. A bit later we noticed that conversation had drifted to talking about reverse entropy and why it was impossible to observe time going backward . . . at that point we knew it was working. About twelve hours later my girlfriend dropped by (it was the next day) and I was jumping around the office telling everybody to look at my hooves. It wore off about four hours later. After a solid hunk of sleep I got up feeling ridiculously mentally refreshed. I enjoy infrequent controlled use of hallucinogens, I find it a great mental recharge and also a pretty good time. I live in New York now and I was quite happy to see that San Pedros are even easier to get ahold of in the states than the were in Oz :)

r0s 16y ago
If you've never done Peyote, it's a bit different, containing lots of different alkaloids. The effect is pretty similar though. Always depends on the person and context. San Pedro is really easy to grow yourself, and totally legal.
- weeksie 16y ago
  I haven't actually eaten Peyote, that's interesting that there is a different effect. I wouldn't turn any down if I cam across it but San Pedro is so easy and cheap to come by and since it's mescaline as well I can't imagine it's too different. Thanks for the info!
jamesbressi 16y ago
Great share. Curious how you extracted so quickly from the cacti though? Did you already have it prepared, because it looks like you have to boil it out for several hours or use an acid-base extraction?
- weeksie 16y ago

jgg 16y ago

On a related note, here's a mathematician comparing his experiences with DMT and LSD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDgmpiE-U0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDgmpiE-U0

martinp22 16y ago

Studies have shown that ibogaine treatment reduces craving for opiates, stimulants (like cocaine or methamphetamine) and even alcohol after a single dose. What is especially intriguing to scientists is the fact that this effect can last a long time (anywhere from ten days to a few months), allowing the person to experience a state of mind they may not have anticipated experiencing again. Please visit http://www.ibogaine-treatment.com http://www.ibogaine-treatment.com for more information.