12 ms·

MDMA reopens child-like “critical periods” in the brain

245 points by skanderbm 5y ago

encryptluks2 5y ago
I definitely think that the research indicates MDMA or even microdosing can be beneficial to some people, but we can't even get marijuana removed as a schedule 1 substance... I doubt they'll allow MDMA therapy anytime soon.
- SV_BubbleTime 5y ago
  Let’s hope the critics are right and this is a slippery slope. A few more states and a bad economy and pot will be federally legal I think. After that, maybe loosened restrictions on therapy trials?
  - luckylion 5y ago
    God, I hope so. Once the US has legalized, Europe can follow. Spoken as someone who maybe vaporizes some once a year and has no trouble sourcing it, but it's such a dumb example of "no, it's been that way and we'll keep it that way" with irrationality turned way up.
    - _0ffh 5y ago
      Exactly, and it's not even been this way for very long. There's a favourite anecdote where I come from about an old woman tending a rather isolated farm who was quite surprised when the police showed up in force and demanded to know more about her little weed field some time in the 60s or so.
  - yoloyoloyoloa 5y ago
    Big pharma cant make money off cannabis so I doubt that will happen. Bug pharma hates what God created and would like to keep people sick so they sell them more pills. Rick Simpson oil is a good example of this.
- mseidl 5y ago
  There was an article about about soldiers and therapy with taking MDMA. The title was something like "Soldiers with PTSD give MDMA rave reviews" There's also therapy with LSD.
- irjustin 5y ago
  Yeah Marijuana is in weird state and hopefully LSD, MDMA will reach that point too.
- Pelic4n 5y ago
  Do your own therapy macrodosing MDMA you can buy from under bridges!
  - encryptluks2 5y ago
    I was referring to microdosing LSD or psilocybin, but maybe your sarcasm is just what we need cause that is exactly what people are doing is still obtaining the drugs in an unsafe illegal way. It is common sense IMO opinion to make sure people are informed and safe than creating these black markets by making things like this illegal while for years doctors were overprescribing opiods.
- hummusandsushi 5y ago
  I find that I am primarily frustrated by the uncertainty. It is clear that people independently seek out these substances and we have promising evidence that suggests that this class of drugs has a host of potential beneficial effects to many people. It then becomes infuriating that a an ideology towards drug control that seems to be universally regarded by informed people to be misguided and causing more harm than simply doing nothing, is still interfering with our collective ability to evaluate these substances in an objective way.
- kleene_op 5y ago
  I am skeptical about microdosing on MDMA, as the substance itself is pretty taxing on the body and the brain, and I don't think much good would come from completely depleting your serotonin levels. I think this substance is useful, but its usage is best kept on a (bi-)monthly basis so you have time to recover between sessions. A better candidate than MDMA for microdosing with similar effect would be 2-CB. It does not deplete any of your serotonin, and you recover from it in a couple of days, even after massive doses.
  - carlmr 5y ago
    >2-CB. It does not deplete any of your serotonin, and you recover from it in a couple of days, even after massive doses. A couple of days doesn't sound great tbh.
    - kick_in_the_dor 5y ago
      Well, considering the alternative is "permanent brain damage", it's nice to know that after a couple of days you would be back to normal.
    - kleene_op 5y ago
      Couple days is typically worst case scenario. I only experienced that once when I wandered a lot during the experience, so it may not be completely imputable to the drug itself. Last time I used it I stayed comfortably at home. The day after I could go hiking in the Alps without any problem. Anyway, the tiredness you feel after using 2-CB is nowhere near as close to that you experience with MDMA, which may last for weeks. Which leads me to think 2-CB would be better for microdosing. Also this is in no way me advocating 2-CB has being completely safe. Most people who tried it deem it so, but as of yet few researches have been conducted on that substance.
  - randomopining 5y ago
    Do you consider it a superior substance? What would be your favorite activities with it? I heard it's the better than m for raves where you can delve into the energetic, empathetic, as well as more psychedelic nature.
- peanut_worm 5y ago
  There are already Ketamine clinics where I live. I know Ketamine was mot Schedule 1 but I could see it getting approved for therapy within a reasonable timeframe.
dr_dshiv 5y ago
Did you know that there is very poor evidence for the benefits of cannabis and creativity? As a self-proclaimed "high-functioning cannabis user" cannabis is an incredibly reliably part of my creative process. It almost always results in some kind of powerful idea or insight. While I'm fully aware that it is possible that I'm a deluded drug user, I suspect it's the lack of research — and potentially a failure of methods. That is, I'm not sure cannabis would help me think of more uses for a brick (a test of divergent thinking) nor help me gain insight into how to tack a candle to a wall (a classic test of convergent thinking and insight). But there is a definite change in the clarity and volume of my inner voice and mental imagery — and this can be extremely useful for conceiving new product concepts.
- the-dude 5y ago
  Are there prolonged periods of non-use when you notice the lack of creativity? Genuinely curious, being stoner myself. I will add that alcohol helps for my creativity from time to time too, it seems to break barriers.
  - corobo 5y ago
    I am fully convinced Ballmer's Peak is a legitimate phenomenon For the 10k: https://xkcd.com/323/ https://xkcd.com/323/
  - louhike 5y ago
    Alcohol helps me too if I want to compose music. I tends to experiment more. But I've realized that composing just after getting out of bed is as efficient, as my mind is cloudy. So I'd rather recommend that as relying on alcohol isn't the best idea.
- yoloyoloyoloa 5y ago
  Anecdotal evidence is all you need in my opinion if they "scientific community" wont recognise it.
- yann2 5y ago
  You need to report something a little more interesting than that. I mean people are busy, so if one chimp walks into the lab with a notebook filled with Ramanujam scribbles and another walks in saying their inner voice is louder which chimp do you think gets studied?
sharmin123 5y ago
Facebook Hacked? 7 Things You Need To Do Right Now!: https://www.hackerslist.co/facebook-hacked-7-things-you-need-to-do-right-now/ https://www.hackerslist.co/facebook-hacked-7-things-you-need...
tgv 5y ago
Even the positive article already says: "may be linked to the psychedelic’s ability to reopen a “critical period” in the brain for social reward learning." That's a lot more weasel words than the headline. That's without adding "You have to have used MDMA in a therapeutic setting," which is to say it hasn't been found to work in a natural setting, only in the experiment. No link to any article, so grains of salt included.
- bildung 5y ago
  > which is to say it hasn't been found to work in a natural setting This says that the drug creates the ability to relearn something, but the learning process itself is of course mediated by the setting provided - learning is always about interaction with the environment. This has nothing to do with weasel words, it simply illustrates the mode of action.
- tpm 5y ago
  > which is to say it hasn't been found to work in a natural setting Or rather it can't really be studied in natural (uncontrolled) setting, given that it's a heavily controlled substance. You just can't give it to people and let them run loose. You also can't just collect their opinions on experience with otherwise acquired MDMA, because it's cut, altered, often other substances or a mix of substances. Also as a scientist you do not want to be seen as supporting self-medication with with illegal and dangerous (MDMA has low therapeutic index) substances. > may be linked to the psychedelic’s ability to reopen a “critical period” in the brain for social reward learning. That's a lot more weasel words than the headline. I see it more as a careful scientist wording, given that it's really hard to study psychedelic drugs.
  - tgv 5y ago
    Social reward learning starts very early in life. It's quite a claim that MDMA can overcome patterns ingrained during many years. It would have a major effect. But then why wouldn't it work in another setting? It's not as if time is terribly critical: "the MDMA dose did indeed reopen the critical period for social reward learning in the adult mice, beginning around 6 to 48 hours after the dose. The reopening of the critical period lasted at least two weeks, up to around 4 weeks before returning to baseline." The mechanism proposed in the article, basically serotonin, would also affect more than just social reward learning, so how come there's no sign of that? I don't know the target audience of analyticalcannabis.com, but I would need to see much more evidence before writing such a positively worded article.
iamnotwhoiam 5y ago
Taking MDMA with my girlfriend was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Brought us much closer together. I can imagine it would be a wonderful addition to couple's therapy because it makes you so comfortable speaking and turns empathy into your instinctive response.
- encryptluks2 5y ago
  I think there are pros, but I believe with almost any substance it isn't always going to have such a profound positive effect on everyone. I would just like to make sure that people overall have safe and informed access, so if you have a negative experience you won't automatically be stigmatized or arrested and you can have access to a medical professional to help.
- globular-toast 5y ago
  I did the same with a girlfriend. It was great and memorable, but didn't really bring us any closer together. At least not for me. I'm currently in the best relationship I've had and I don't take any drugs any more (including alcohol).
- hellbannedguy 5y ago
  I had a girlfriend who used to take it. She said it was great, but felt it caused a bit of damage. She was on her way to a graduate degree in Biochemistry, but lost interest. She didn't blame MDMA, but felt she probally shouldn't have taken it.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
  - junon 5y ago
    Safety and research is imperative with it. People will buy pills without ever asking their dealer the amounts, and will take them way too often without realizing it. You can definitely screw yourself up doing it too often, or doing too much at once. Just my $0.02.
RHSman2 5y ago
Whats your name? What have you had? Reach for the lasers. Safe as **
- m4tthumphrey 5y ago
  NICE ONE BRUVVA!
  - dijksterhuis 5y ago
    Nice one bruvvva!
    - RHSman2 5y ago
      I said 'Nice one Bruuuva'
- buryat 5y ago
  ^ a quote from this movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0188674/characters/nm1169430 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0188674/characters/nm1169430
- woudsma 5y ago
  This could turn Hare Krishna into a bad boy!
The_rationalist 5y ago
Valproate acid too https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3848041/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3848041/
kinghtown 5y ago
I did a lot of MDMA and ecstasy in my 20s. The experience definitely rewires you. I’m laughing at anyone who has never done it, or any psychedelics, speaking with authority on the matter and harrumphing about a lack of evidence. Do a high dose and you’ll see everyone around you in a new light. Now, I really just want everyone to feel great. Most people who I talk to seem to be stuck in a rut of stimulus/response patterns and feel unappreciated. I really enjoy listening to people, even their bullshit. Making someone laugh is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying things in the world.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- paulluuk 5y ago
  I've done psychedelics and a bunch of different drugs, and honestly I don't see how it's any different from getting drunk. Sure, being drunk is different from being high on acid, but that's also different from being high on THC. It's just a bunch of different ways of your brain being effectively poisoned and acting in weird ways. It's fun, it might even be called liberating, and it definitely can affect your brain. But let's not go so far as to suggest that it's this magic thing that will turn you into an awesome person. Now, they do say that alcoholics make the best writers, and likewise I'm sure that some people are more creative when they are on psychedelics or other drugs (assuming that by "creative" one means the ability to create abstract art, not the ability to design a bridge). But it also comes with a significant cost in intelligence and coherence.
  - kalium-xyz 5y ago
    LCD in my experience allows you to take note of things that have fallen outside of your perception filters. Such as squeaky door that you said you would oil but you delayed doing so and eventually it just became part of the door and you stopped noticing. I attribute any creativity to this weird fresh perspective. You could even argue that altered states always can give new perspective by virtue of what they are.
  - Broken_Hippo 5y ago
globular-toast 5y ago
It's an interesting theory. My personal experience with the drug has been positive but it's very hard to say if it was necessary for me to get where I am now. I had crippling social anxiety throughout my teens and into my early twenties. I had fully accepted that I would always be alone and I was happy for the most part. This all changed around age 25 as I (seemingly all of a sudden) became physically attractive enough for women to be interested in me. Without wanting to go into too much detail, my life was turned upside down and I started to learn lessons about people, society and relationships that I feel like I should have learnt 10 years prior. I no longer have social anxiety and can have meaningful relationships with people. During this renaissance period I did use MDMA. But what did it do for me, if anything? Did it enable me to learn these lessons in a way that a normal 25 year old wouldn't be able to? Or did it show me things I wouldn't have seen otherwise, but were still within my natural ability to learn? Or was it simply a fun thing I did but ultimately I would've got where am I today anyway? My feeling is the drug did help me, but I wouldn't just recommend it to others in my position. It won't do anything for you if you just take it in your bedroom with no other changes happening in your life. But if you find yourself, like me, learning how to be social much later in life, it might be worth a try. It won't harm you if you do your research (read erowid).
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- fleaaaa 5y ago
  Pretty much my story as a whole, especially research part. Know your limit and it really helps understanding different aspect of things which is usually not even a equation in daily life.
- MCllorf 5y ago
  It sounds really stupid but being desirable by potential partners makes an unfathomably huge difference in your outlook on life.
  - stevewodil 5y ago
    That doesn't sound stupid at all, our only biological purpose is reproduction. Everyone wants validation and doubly so from the opposite sex
cies 5y ago
Its an utter abomination that MDMA and psychedelics are criminalized. I find law laughable in this regard and i find law makers a bunch of clowns for not giving me the basic freedom of finding ways to make myself happy. We need a constitutional law that prohibits prosecution for victimless crime. And we needed it already a long time ago. Think of all the resources wasted, lives destroyed by upholding such rotten laws: laws against having fun.
- ipnon 5y ago
  It all goes back to the Vietnam War, and Nixon trying to crack down on the subculture of hippies that seemed to be the source of much political contest for him.
  - qwerty456127 5y ago
    How comes this affects the rest of the world even heavier than it does the USA then? Weed and shrooms get legalized/decriminzlized all over the States, MDMA and ketamine therapies are available, ADHD patients have their adderall, even opioids are used so widely it has became a serious problem, yet in most of the countries all these are criminalized heavily and carrying even a tiny dose with you aboard a plane is unthinkable.
    - etripe 5y ago
      IIRC: historical trade deals that included opting into the war on drugs.
      - qwerty456127 5y ago
        This is a problem with trade deals. Having a trans-atlantic trade deal between the USA and the EU (so you could just buy stuff from overseas like you do within your home union - without customs clearance and extra taxation) would be amazing but every time such is proposed it comes with a requirement to start a nonsensical war on "Internet piracy".
- 5y ago
_def 5y ago
This sounds essential. I'm glad there is scientific work in this area.
jbj 5y ago
it appears to be a write up from a webinar related to this publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30944474/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30944474/ by the scientist who runs this lab: http://www.dolenlab.org/ http://www.dolenlab.org/ where it appears the fulltext pdf is also hosted
sumo89 5y ago
“Critical periods are periods of time, usually during development, where the brain is extremely sensitive to the outside world and the ecologically relevant cues that it needs to learn from,” I must have learnt so much about drum & bass

245 points by skanderbm 5y ago

I definitely think that the research indicates MDMA or even microdosing can be beneficial to some people, but we can't even get marijuana removed as a schedule 1 substance... I doubt they'll allow MDMA therapy anytime soon.

SV_BubbleTime 5y ago
Let’s hope the critics are right and this is a slippery slope. A few more states and a bad economy and pot will be federally legal I think. After that, maybe loosened restrictions on therapy trials?
- luckylion 5y ago
  God, I hope so. Once the US has legalized, Europe can follow. Spoken as someone who maybe vaporizes some once a year and has no trouble sourcing it, but it's such a dumb example of "no, it's been that way and we'll keep it that way" with irrationality turned way up.
  - _0ffh 5y ago
    Exactly, and it's not even been this way for very long. There's a favourite anecdote where I come from about an old woman tending a rather isolated farm who was quite surprised when the police showed up in force and demanded to know more about her little weed field some time in the 60s or so.
- yoloyoloyoloa 5y ago
  Big pharma cant make money off cannabis so I doubt that will happen. Bug pharma hates what God created and would like to keep people sick so they sell them more pills. Rick Simpson oil is a good example of this.
mseidl 5y ago
There was an article about about soldiers and therapy with taking MDMA. The title was something like "Soldiers with PTSD give MDMA rave reviews" There's also therapy with LSD.
irjustin 5y ago
Yeah Marijuana is in weird state and hopefully LSD, MDMA will reach that point too.
Pelic4n 5y ago
Do your own therapy macrodosing MDMA you can buy from under bridges!
- encryptluks2 5y ago
  I was referring to microdosing LSD or psilocybin, but maybe your sarcasm is just what we need cause that is exactly what people are doing is still obtaining the drugs in an unsafe illegal way. It is common sense IMO opinion to make sure people are informed and safe than creating these black markets by making things like this illegal while for years doctors were overprescribing opiods.
hummusandsushi 5y ago
I find that I am primarily frustrated by the uncertainty. It is clear that people independently seek out these substances and we have promising evidence that suggests that this class of drugs has a host of potential beneficial effects to many people. It then becomes infuriating that a an ideology towards drug control that seems to be universally regarded by informed people to be misguided and causing more harm than simply doing nothing, is still interfering with our collective ability to evaluate these substances in an objective way.
kleene_op 5y ago
I am skeptical about microdosing on MDMA, as the substance itself is pretty taxing on the body and the brain, and I don't think much good would come from completely depleting your serotonin levels. I think this substance is useful, but its usage is best kept on a (bi-)monthly basis so you have time to recover between sessions. A better candidate than MDMA for microdosing with similar effect would be 2-CB. It does not deplete any of your serotonin, and you recover from it in a couple of days, even after massive doses.
- carlmr 5y ago
  >2-CB. It does not deplete any of your serotonin, and you recover from it in a couple of days, even after massive doses. A couple of days doesn't sound great tbh.
  - kick_in_the_dor 5y ago
    Well, considering the alternative is "permanent brain damage", it's nice to know that after a couple of days you would be back to normal.
  - kleene_op 5y ago
    Couple days is typically worst case scenario. I only experienced that once when I wandered a lot during the experience, so it may not be completely imputable to the drug itself. Last time I used it I stayed comfortably at home. The day after I could go hiking in the Alps without any problem. Anyway, the tiredness you feel after using 2-CB is nowhere near as close to that you experience with MDMA, which may last for weeks. Which leads me to think 2-CB would be better for microdosing. Also this is in no way me advocating 2-CB has being completely safe. Most people who tried it deem it so, but as of yet few researches have been conducted on that substance.
- randomopining 5y ago
  Do you consider it a superior substance? What would be your favorite activities with it? I heard it's the better than m for raves where you can delve into the energetic, empathetic, as well as more psychedelic nature.
peanut_worm 5y ago
There are already Ketamine clinics where I live. I know Ketamine was mot Schedule 1 but I could see it getting approved for therapy within a reasonable timeframe.

dr_dshiv 5y ago

Did you know that there is very poor evidence for the benefits of cannabis and creativity? As a self-proclaimed "high-functioning cannabis user" cannabis is an incredibly reliably part of my creative process. It almost always results in some kind of powerful idea or insight. While I'm fully aware that it is possible that I'm a deluded drug user, I suspect it's the lack of research — and potentially a failure of methods. That is, I'm not sure cannabis would help me think of more uses for a brick (a test of divergent thinking) nor help me gain insight into how to tack a candle to a wall (a classic test of convergent thinking and insight). But there is a definite change in the clarity and volume of my inner voice and mental imagery — and this can be extremely useful for conceiving new product concepts.

the-dude 5y ago
Are there prolonged periods of non-use when you notice the lack of creativity? Genuinely curious, being stoner myself. I will add that alcohol helps for my creativity from time to time too, it seems to break barriers.
- corobo 5y ago
  I am fully convinced Ballmer's Peak is a legitimate phenomenon For the 10k: https://xkcd.com/323/ https://xkcd.com/323/
- louhike 5y ago
  Alcohol helps me too if I want to compose music. I tends to experiment more. But I've realized that composing just after getting out of bed is as efficient, as my mind is cloudy. So I'd rather recommend that as relying on alcohol isn't the best idea.
yoloyoloyoloa 5y ago
Anecdotal evidence is all you need in my opinion if they "scientific community" wont recognise it.
yann2 5y ago
You need to report something a little more interesting than that. I mean people are busy, so if one chimp walks into the lab with a notebook filled with Ramanujam scribbles and another walks in saying their inner voice is louder which chimp do you think gets studied?

sharmin123 5y ago

Facebook Hacked? 7 Things You Need To Do Right Now!: https://www.hackerslist.co/facebook-hacked-7-things-you-need-to-do-right-now/ https://www.hackerslist.co/facebook-hacked-7-things-you-need...

tgv 5y ago

Even the positive article already says: "may be linked to the psychedelic’s ability to reopen a “critical period” in the brain for social reward learning." That's a lot more weasel words than the headline. That's without adding "You have to have used MDMA in a therapeutic setting," which is to say it hasn't been found to work in a natural setting, only in the experiment. No link to any article, so grains of salt included.

bildung 5y ago
> which is to say it hasn't been found to work in a natural setting This says that the drug creates the ability to relearn something, but the learning process itself is of course mediated by the setting provided - learning is always about interaction with the environment. This has nothing to do with weasel words, it simply illustrates the mode of action.
tpm 5y ago
> which is to say it hasn't been found to work in a natural setting Or rather it can't really be studied in natural (uncontrolled) setting, given that it's a heavily controlled substance. You just can't give it to people and let them run loose. You also can't just collect their opinions on experience with otherwise acquired MDMA, because it's cut, altered, often other substances or a mix of substances. Also as a scientist you do not want to be seen as supporting self-medication with with illegal and dangerous (MDMA has low therapeutic index) substances. > may be linked to the psychedelic’s ability to reopen a “critical period” in the brain for social reward learning. That's a lot more weasel words than the headline. I see it more as a careful scientist wording, given that it's really hard to study psychedelic drugs.
- tgv 5y ago
  Social reward learning starts very early in life. It's quite a claim that MDMA can overcome patterns ingrained during many years. It would have a major effect. But then why wouldn't it work in another setting? It's not as if time is terribly critical: "the MDMA dose did indeed reopen the critical period for social reward learning in the adult mice, beginning around 6 to 48 hours after the dose. The reopening of the critical period lasted at least two weeks, up to around 4 weeks before returning to baseline." The mechanism proposed in the article, basically serotonin, would also affect more than just social reward learning, so how come there's no sign of that? I don't know the target audience of analyticalcannabis.com, but I would need to see much more evidence before writing such a positively worded article.

iamnotwhoiam 5y ago

Taking MDMA with my girlfriend was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Brought us much closer together. I can imagine it would be a wonderful addition to couple's therapy because it makes you so comfortable speaking and turns empathy into your instinctive response.

encryptluks2 5y ago
I think there are pros, but I believe with almost any substance it isn't always going to have such a profound positive effect on everyone. I would just like to make sure that people overall have safe and informed access, so if you have a negative experience you won't automatically be stigmatized or arrested and you can have access to a medical professional to help.
globular-toast 5y ago
I did the same with a girlfriend. It was great and memorable, but didn't really bring us any closer together. At least not for me. I'm currently in the best relationship I've had and I don't take any drugs any more (including alcohol).
hellbannedguy 5y ago
I had a girlfriend who used to take it. She said it was great, but felt it caused a bit of damage. She was on her way to a graduate degree in Biochemistry, but lost interest. She didn't blame MDMA, but felt she probally shouldn't have taken it.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- junon 5y ago
  Safety and research is imperative with it. People will buy pills without ever asking their dealer the amounts, and will take them way too often without realizing it. You can definitely screw yourself up doing it too often, or doing too much at once. Just my $0.02.

RHSman2 5y ago

Whats your name? What have you had? Reach for the lasers. Safe as **

m4tthumphrey 5y ago
NICE ONE BRUVVA!
- dijksterhuis 5y ago
  Nice one bruvvva!
  - RHSman2 5y ago
    I said 'Nice one Bruuuva'
buryat 5y ago
^ a quote from this movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0188674/characters/nm1169430 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0188674/characters/nm1169430
woudsma 5y ago
This could turn Hare Krishna into a bad boy!

The_rationalist 5y ago

Valproate acid too https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3848041/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3848041/

kinghtown 5y ago

I did a lot of MDMA and ecstasy in my 20s. The experience definitely rewires you. I’m laughing at anyone who has never done it, or any psychedelics, speaking with authority on the matter and harrumphing about a lack of evidence. Do a high dose and you’ll see everyone around you in a new light. Now, I really just want everyone to feel great. Most people who I talk to seem to be stuck in a rut of stimulus/response patterns and feel unappreciated. I really enjoy listening to people, even their bullshit. Making someone laugh is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying things in the world.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
paulluuk 5y ago
I've done psychedelics and a bunch of different drugs, and honestly I don't see how it's any different from getting drunk. Sure, being drunk is different from being high on acid, but that's also different from being high on THC. It's just a bunch of different ways of your brain being effectively poisoned and acting in weird ways. It's fun, it might even be called liberating, and it definitely can affect your brain. But let's not go so far as to suggest that it's this magic thing that will turn you into an awesome person. Now, they do say that alcoholics make the best writers, and likewise I'm sure that some people are more creative when they are on psychedelics or other drugs (assuming that by "creative" one means the ability to create abstract art, not the ability to design a bridge). But it also comes with a significant cost in intelligence and coherence.
- kalium-xyz 5y ago
  LCD in my experience allows you to take note of things that have fallen outside of your perception filters. Such as squeaky door that you said you would oil but you delayed doing so and eventually it just became part of the door and you stopped noticing. I attribute any creativity to this weird fresh perspective. You could even argue that altered states always can give new perspective by virtue of what they are.
- Broken_Hippo 5y ago

globular-toast 5y ago

It's an interesting theory. My personal experience with the drug has been positive but it's very hard to say if it was necessary for me to get where I am now. I had crippling social anxiety throughout my teens and into my early twenties. I had fully accepted that I would always be alone and I was happy for the most part. This all changed around age 25 as I (seemingly all of a sudden) became physically attractive enough for women to be interested in me. Without wanting to go into too much detail, my life was turned upside down and I started to learn lessons about people, society and relationships that I feel like I should have learnt 10 years prior. I no longer have social anxiety and can have meaningful relationships with people. During this renaissance period I did use MDMA. But what did it do for me, if anything? Did it enable me to learn these lessons in a way that a normal 25 year old wouldn't be able to? Or did it show me things I wouldn't have seen otherwise, but were still within my natural ability to learn? Or was it simply a fun thing I did but ultimately I would've got where am I today anyway? My feeling is the drug did help me, but I wouldn't just recommend it to others in my position. It won't do anything for you if you just take it in your bedroom with no other changes happening in your life. But if you find yourself, like me, learning how to be social much later in life, it might be worth a try. It won't harm you if you do your research (read erowid).

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
fleaaaa 5y ago
Pretty much my story as a whole, especially research part. Know your limit and it really helps understanding different aspect of things which is usually not even a equation in daily life.
MCllorf 5y ago
It sounds really stupid but being desirable by potential partners makes an unfathomably huge difference in your outlook on life.
- stevewodil 5y ago
  That doesn't sound stupid at all, our only biological purpose is reproduction. Everyone wants validation and doubly so from the opposite sex

cies 5y ago

Its an utter abomination that MDMA and psychedelics are criminalized. I find law laughable in this regard and i find law makers a bunch of clowns for not giving me the basic freedom of finding ways to make myself happy. We need a constitutional law that prohibits prosecution for victimless crime. And we needed it already a long time ago. Think of all the resources wasted, lives destroyed by upholding such rotten laws: laws against having fun.

ipnon 5y ago
It all goes back to the Vietnam War, and Nixon trying to crack down on the subculture of hippies that seemed to be the source of much political contest for him.
- qwerty456127 5y ago
  How comes this affects the rest of the world even heavier than it does the USA then? Weed and shrooms get legalized/decriminzlized all over the States, MDMA and ketamine therapies are available, ADHD patients have their adderall, even opioids are used so widely it has became a serious problem, yet in most of the countries all these are criminalized heavily and carrying even a tiny dose with you aboard a plane is unthinkable.
  - etripe 5y ago
    IIRC: historical trade deals that included opting into the war on drugs.
    - qwerty456127 5y ago
      This is a problem with trade deals. Having a trans-atlantic trade deal between the USA and the EU (so you could just buy stuff from overseas like you do within your home union - without customs clearance and extra taxation) would be amazing but every time such is proposed it comes with a requirement to start a nonsensical war on "Internet piracy".
5y ago

_def 5y ago

This sounds essential. I'm glad there is scientific work in this area.

jbj 5y ago

it appears to be a write up from a webinar related to this publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30944474/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30944474/ by the scientist who runs this lab: http://www.dolenlab.org/ http://www.dolenlab.org/ where it appears the fulltext pdf is also hosted

sumo89 5y ago

“Critical periods are periods of time, usually during development, where the brain is extremely sensitive to the outside world and the ecologically relevant cues that it needs to learn from,” I must have learnt so much about drum & bass