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Anecdotal: people who do hallucinogenic mushrooms are way more likely to know what they're getting into. The decision to ingest mushrooms isn't a matter of psy

Anecdotal: people who do hallucinogenic mushrooms are way more likely to know what they're getting into. The decision to ingest mushrooms isn't a matter of psychological need (as it sometimes is with alcohol or amphetamines), and it's very rarely made out of impulse in a social setting (e.g. ecstasy). It is typically a deliberate choice with the expectation of having a psychedelic experience - complete with the understanding that it might be a bad trip. You do as much prep work as you can beforehand to make sure it's comfortable. Taking care and preparing for the high isn't really baked into the culture of other drugs in the same way.

seizethecheese 9y ago
> The decision to ingest mushrooms isn't a matter of psychological need (as it sometimes is with alcohol or amphetamines), and it's very rarely made out of impulse in a social setting (e.g. ecstasy). I've definitely felt pressured into taking mushrooms. It's a very social thing to do. You need a "sitter" who stays sober which means it makes the most sense to do in groups. I also have known many disturbed people who ingest mushrooms frequently to escape their lives.
- xkcd-sucks 9y ago
  >You need a "sitter" who stays sober Some people find the presence of a dedicated mental-health-evaluator quite distressing and distracting re: deep introspection
- etjossem 9y ago
  > I've definitely felt pressured into taking mushrooms. It's a very social thing to do. You need a "sitter" who stays sober Your mileage may vary! But this is exactly my point: when a group of you get together to take mushrooms, you recognize the need to have someone sober around to take care of everyone else and make sure they're safe. For comparison, let's look at alcohol - you're very lucky if you can find someone willing to be the designated driver, let alone a group where emphasis is placed on keeping each other safe. There's even a level of taboo around slowing down those who are drinking too much. It doesn't surprise me how many people are hospitalized for alcohol overdose or related accidents. The culture is very different.
  - seizethecheese 9y ago
    I know many people who smoke pot or drink alone, nightly. I know very few who take mushrooms alone.
    - etjossem 9y ago
      I agree, and I think a group setting is generally the more responsible way to go with any drug. But I don't see the same level of pressure around it (i.e. to take more or push limits) that I do with alcohol. Taking care of each other is steeped into the culture, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's why we see a far lower rate of hospitalization.
    - deleted 9y ago
      [deleted]
- mc32 9y ago
  When I was in school, people used to take mushrooms as accompaniment to concerts for certain kinds of music, but also there'd be times when they'd tell me they just did it (by themselves) cuz they had some leftovers in their baggies and well, why wait and share? So, it can be both.

seizethecheese 9y ago

> The decision to ingest mushrooms isn't a matter of psychological need (as it sometimes is with alcohol or amphetamines), and it's very rarely made out of impulse in a social setting (e.g. ecstasy). I've definitely felt pressured into taking mushrooms. It's a very social thing to do. You need a "sitter" who stays sober which means it makes the most sense to do in groups. I also have known many disturbed people who ingest mushrooms frequently to escape their lives.

xkcd-sucks 9y ago
>You need a "sitter" who stays sober Some people find the presence of a dedicated mental-health-evaluator quite distressing and distracting re: deep introspection
etjossem 9y ago
> I've definitely felt pressured into taking mushrooms. It's a very social thing to do. You need a "sitter" who stays sober Your mileage may vary! But this is exactly my point: when a group of you get together to take mushrooms, you recognize the need to have someone sober around to take care of everyone else and make sure they're safe. For comparison, let's look at alcohol - you're very lucky if you can find someone willing to be the designated driver, let alone a group where emphasis is placed on keeping each other safe. There's even a level of taboo around slowing down those who are drinking too much. It doesn't surprise me how many people are hospitalized for alcohol overdose or related accidents. The culture is very different.
- seizethecheese 9y ago
  I know many people who smoke pot or drink alone, nightly. I know very few who take mushrooms alone.
  - etjossem 9y ago
    I agree, and I think a group setting is generally the more responsible way to go with any drug. But I don't see the same level of pressure around it (i.e. to take more or push limits) that I do with alcohol. Taking care of each other is steeped into the culture, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's why we see a far lower rate of hospitalization.
  - deleted 9y ago
    [deleted]
mc32 9y ago
When I was in school, people used to take mushrooms as accompaniment to concerts for certain kinds of music, but also there'd be times when they'd tell me they just did it (by themselves) cuz they had some leftovers in their baggies and well, why wait and share? So, it can be both.