6 ms·

Field trip: inside America's first magic mushroom school

61 points by elsewhen 3y ago

huytersd 3y ago
I hope this works out. I’ve done mushrooms a dozen times about a decade ago in my 20s. It was an amazing time every single time except the very last time I did it and it was an absolute nightmare since I was awaiting some bad news. Haven’t done them since and I don’t think I had any lasting effects. Always have a sitter and make sure you’re in a comfortable place and a stable mindset before you do them.
- drekipus 3y ago
  How do you know you have a stable mindset? I've had very positive experiences with drugs but unfortunately went through psychosis with some weed about 11 years ago. It's made me a lot more mindful of my mental state and I'm a lot stronger for it. I've become aware of positive and negative influences, where I'm being worried or too blasé, comfortable or not. I haven't had mushrooms and I've heard that it really digs out deep things in your mind.
  - schwartzworld 3y ago
    If you have a background of psychosis you shouldn't mess with mushrooms.
    - hackernewds 3y ago
      yes. it irks me when people promote it like a magic pill. there are a lot of associated, permanent damage you can do with shrooms if not under the right initial conditions
    - wil421 3y ago
      A close family friend had a history of mental illness and schizophrenia on their mothers side. This person took shrooms at 16 and it started a schizophrenic episode/psychosis. It would’ve likely happened a little later in life but the shrooms kicked it off.
  - huytersd 3y ago
    If you’ve had psychosis, there’s a decent chance that might happen again. Most of my trips were pretty surface level but that’s probably because there was usually a lot of external stimulation going on (music festivals, concerts, drum circles etc.). I’ve also had good trips just sitting around with friends and listening to music but those were a little more introspective. My bad trip was in a familiar, comfortable setting too but as soon as the trip started I couldn’t escape the bad news I was anticipating and fixated on it the entire time.
- aantix 3y ago
  I think the very people seeking relief are not the ones with a stable mindset.
- pathartl 3y ago
  My last was also a nightmare. There was a point about 3/4 of the way through where I started to have panic attacks and started sweating so much that it looked like I stepped out in a hurricane. This was while I was in a very cold basement in winter. It's absolutely wild how much your brain controls, and how fast it can lose control. My dosage was much too high and while I'm not going to deny any of the benefits, it was a very traumatic experience for me that made me seek therapy. For a while I would have some lingering visual hallucinations (a few months past the incident) when I would close my eyes and it would trigger panic attacks. That's mostly subsided, but I wish people would put a higher emphasis on the mental damage it can do.
  - washadjeffmad 3y ago
    I've heard of that happening with people on beta blockers, oddly. When I tested it, I felt like I was "on fire" (uncomfortably flushed and overheated, not burning or in pain, though), sweated, and took off clothes to cool down to no effect. I've also failed more than once to realize how much adrenaline was in my system on beta blockers... until they wore off. That's a harrowing enough effect sober that I approach them and all potential interactions with caution.
  - iancmceachern 3y ago
    I've had one similar experience, and many many great ones. In mine, it was because I was in a dark, isolated, cold physical space. In my experience one really heeds to be in a "warm", comforting, bright if you want it, space where you are free to roam and explore safely. It can't be a little box. These are ingredients for a stressful life, so why would they be ingredients for a good trip.
    - pathartl 3y ago
      Mine was actually initially triggered because I thought the house we were in was going to burn down. I absolutely had some other anxiety issues at the time, but I still wanted to highlight that people shouldn't minimize how much a bad trip can affect you.
bookofjoe 3y ago
[dead]
stephenitis 3y ago
Glad progress is moving forward, I hope programs like this minimizes dangerous incidents and abuse and increases the odds of healing. I have tripsat for others numerous times mainly to ensure that that I will assist the tripper if they need it. This does one really central thing reduce anxiety prior to the trip. Afterwards I often just check in on the tripper and see if they need water, make sure their comfortable, and sometimes ask them to visually or verbally give me a thumbs up at a mid-way point. a few other things I advise my peers on - Proper testing of their drugs - Checking for health conditions, medications, drug interactions - Dosing in a sensible manner than minimizes the chance of a chaotic or anxious driven trip - Stressing the importance of having playlists that bring a suitable atmosphere - Suggesting proper sleep, nutrition, and some exercise leading up to and after a trip If you head over to /r/LSD /r/shrooms you will find a constant stream of individuals who range the gambit from from teenagers to older adults who lack serious basic understanding of how to dose, prepare their mindset, and manage a environment conducive to a productive trip. There are endless stories of trip sitters who interject themselves very actively, people mixing SSRIs, throwing in THC or alcohol carelessly during a trip. The demand is high for information but good protocols are not widespread. Myths bad word of mouth information is still prevalent due to the underground nature of these drugs. side note: For women, I've found this book to be a well written, concise, and valuable resource. The Psilocybin Handbook for Women: How Magic Mushrooms, Psychedelic Therapy, and Microdosing Can Benefit Your Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Health (Guides to Psychedelics & More) https://www.amazon.com/Psilocybin-Handbook-Women-Psychedelic-Psychedelics/dp/1646044983 https://www.amazon.com/Psilocybin-Handbook-Women-Psychedelic...
- throwup238 3y ago
  > a few other things I advise my peers on - Proper testing of their drugs This cannot be stressed enough. Ideally anyone using street drugs has a reagent testing kit and knows how to use it but at the very least you should have fentanyl testing strips if you are taking anything that isn’t cannabis or shrooms. Especially if it’s powdered or pressed. Fentanyl is increasingly being found in drugs it has no business being in. Stay safe!
  - pksebben 3y ago
taopai 3y ago
I only had 3 experiences. All hard and profound. They helped me appreciate sanity. Now when I get overwhelmed I smile and say "at least now I can think straight and I am not tortured by a infinity of laughing Homer Simpsons who doesn't go away of my field of vision." Having the right mindset and believing you know how to ride drug highs without getting overwhelmed is very useful.
junon 3y ago
Only done mushrooms once but it was one of the most influential experiences I've had. I don't know if I believe yet all of the claims people make about them but I wouldn't be surprised if they're true. It was also a very clean feeling. I've certainly tried a number of things and always feel either poisoned or sick sometime in the process (usually after). Mushrooms had no such effect on me. It was gradual, controllable, emotional and very beautiful (the setting helped).
iancmceachern 3y ago
If you live in Northern California, you can buy these "over the counter" even in Gummy form at several churches.

61 points by elsewhen 3y ago

I hope this works out. I’ve done mushrooms a dozen times about a decade ago in my 20s. It was an amazing time every single time except the very last time I did it and it was an absolute nightmare since I was awaiting some bad news. Haven’t done them since and I don’t think I had any lasting effects. Always have a sitter and make sure you’re in a comfortable place and a stable mindset before you do them.

drekipus 3y ago
How do you know you have a stable mindset? I've had very positive experiences with drugs but unfortunately went through psychosis with some weed about 11 years ago. It's made me a lot more mindful of my mental state and I'm a lot stronger for it. I've become aware of positive and negative influences, where I'm being worried or too blasé, comfortable or not. I haven't had mushrooms and I've heard that it really digs out deep things in your mind.
- schwartzworld 3y ago
  If you have a background of psychosis you shouldn't mess with mushrooms.
  - hackernewds 3y ago
    yes. it irks me when people promote it like a magic pill. there are a lot of associated, permanent damage you can do with shrooms if not under the right initial conditions
  - wil421 3y ago
    A close family friend had a history of mental illness and schizophrenia on their mothers side. This person took shrooms at 16 and it started a schizophrenic episode/psychosis. It would’ve likely happened a little later in life but the shrooms kicked it off.
- huytersd 3y ago
  If you’ve had psychosis, there’s a decent chance that might happen again. Most of my trips were pretty surface level but that’s probably because there was usually a lot of external stimulation going on (music festivals, concerts, drum circles etc.). I’ve also had good trips just sitting around with friends and listening to music but those were a little more introspective. My bad trip was in a familiar, comfortable setting too but as soon as the trip started I couldn’t escape the bad news I was anticipating and fixated on it the entire time.
aantix 3y ago
I think the very people seeking relief are not the ones with a stable mindset.
pathartl 3y ago
My last was also a nightmare. There was a point about 3/4 of the way through where I started to have panic attacks and started sweating so much that it looked like I stepped out in a hurricane. This was while I was in a very cold basement in winter. It's absolutely wild how much your brain controls, and how fast it can lose control. My dosage was much too high and while I'm not going to deny any of the benefits, it was a very traumatic experience for me that made me seek therapy. For a while I would have some lingering visual hallucinations (a few months past the incident) when I would close my eyes and it would trigger panic attacks. That's mostly subsided, but I wish people would put a higher emphasis on the mental damage it can do.
- washadjeffmad 3y ago
  I've heard of that happening with people on beta blockers, oddly. When I tested it, I felt like I was "on fire" (uncomfortably flushed and overheated, not burning or in pain, though), sweated, and took off clothes to cool down to no effect. I've also failed more than once to realize how much adrenaline was in my system on beta blockers... until they wore off. That's a harrowing enough effect sober that I approach them and all potential interactions with caution.
- iancmceachern 3y ago
  I've had one similar experience, and many many great ones. In mine, it was because I was in a dark, isolated, cold physical space. In my experience one really heeds to be in a "warm", comforting, bright if you want it, space where you are free to roam and explore safely. It can't be a little box. These are ingredients for a stressful life, so why would they be ingredients for a good trip.
  - pathartl 3y ago
    Mine was actually initially triggered because I thought the house we were in was going to burn down. I absolutely had some other anxiety issues at the time, but I still wanted to highlight that people shouldn't minimize how much a bad trip can affect you.

bookofjoe 3y ago

[dead]

stephenitis 3y ago

Glad progress is moving forward, I hope programs like this minimizes dangerous incidents and abuse and increases the odds of healing. I have tripsat for others numerous times mainly to ensure that that I will assist the tripper if they need it. This does one really central thing reduce anxiety prior to the trip. Afterwards I often just check in on the tripper and see if they need water, make sure their comfortable, and sometimes ask them to visually or verbally give me a thumbs up at a mid-way point. a few other things I advise my peers on - Proper testing of their drugs - Checking for health conditions, medications, drug interactions - Dosing in a sensible manner than minimizes the chance of a chaotic or anxious driven trip - Stressing the importance of having playlists that bring a suitable atmosphere - Suggesting proper sleep, nutrition, and some exercise leading up to and after a trip If you head over to /r/LSD /r/shrooms you will find a constant stream of individuals who range the gambit from from teenagers to older adults who lack serious basic understanding of how to dose, prepare their mindset, and manage a environment conducive to a productive trip. There are endless stories of trip sitters who interject themselves very actively, people mixing SSRIs, throwing in THC or alcohol carelessly during a trip. The demand is high for information but good protocols are not widespread. Myths bad word of mouth information is still prevalent due to the underground nature of these drugs. side note: For women, I've found this book to be a well written, concise, and valuable resource. The Psilocybin Handbook for Women: How Magic Mushrooms, Psychedelic Therapy, and Microdosing Can Benefit Your Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Health (Guides to Psychedelics & More) https://www.amazon.com/Psilocybin-Handbook-Women-Psychedelic-Psychedelics/dp/1646044983 https://www.amazon.com/Psilocybin-Handbook-Women-Psychedelic...

throwup238 3y ago
> a few other things I advise my peers on - Proper testing of their drugs This cannot be stressed enough. Ideally anyone using street drugs has a reagent testing kit and knows how to use it but at the very least you should have fentanyl testing strips if you are taking anything that isn’t cannabis or shrooms. Especially if it’s powdered or pressed. Fentanyl is increasingly being found in drugs it has no business being in. Stay safe!
- pksebben 3y ago

taopai 3y ago

I only had 3 experiences. All hard and profound. They helped me appreciate sanity. Now when I get overwhelmed I smile and say "at least now I can think straight and I am not tortured by a infinity of laughing Homer Simpsons who doesn't go away of my field of vision." Having the right mindset and believing you know how to ride drug highs without getting overwhelmed is very useful.

junon 3y ago

Only done mushrooms once but it was one of the most influential experiences I've had. I don't know if I believe yet all of the claims people make about them but I wouldn't be surprised if they're true. It was also a very clean feeling. I've certainly tried a number of things and always feel either poisoned or sick sometime in the process (usually after). Mushrooms had no such effect on me. It was gradual, controllable, emotional and very beautiful (the setting helped).

iancmceachern 3y ago

If you live in Northern California, you can buy these "over the counter" even in Gummy form at several churches.