Once again, another reason why psychedelic drugs are not to be messed with:
There unpredictable effects are widely known, yet people are willing to take the risk. Why?
The young man, now recuperating, had this to say when asked whether he was trying to kill himself:
“No, I just wanted to wake up from the bad nightmare,” he reportedly replied. “I am happy and I love my life.”
Perhaps he was trying to reenact the closing scene of Fight Club, but it is pretty clear that shooting yourself in the head is a really lousy decision. The fact that this drug erased his inner impulse control and sense of reality should tell you all you need to know about these kinds of drugs.
But, if he is so happy with his life, why is he risking so much to escape it through mind-altering drugs? Perhaps he is happy because he has been escaping his realities for a while with this stuff. If so, he's heading for trouble down the line: psychedelic drugs can have permanent effects, and that does not include the very real problem with uncontrolled 'flashbacks.'
Imagine you are on the highway with him going 80mph when all of a sudden he returns to this experience...
Father, bless.
ReplyDeleteFather, when I was around 18-19, I did a lot of acid/LSD. Every weekend, for about a year and a half.
That might not sound like much on paper, but if you've done acid and know how heavy of a trip it is, then you know what I mean.
I've had many experiences with psilocybin mushrooms as well.
I've experienced "flashback" episodes ever since. When it happens, which is maybe once or twice in a year, it is always when I'm extremely tired.
It's a very mild effect, almost entirely visual. Vague tracers from fast-moving objects, patterns cascading in my peripheral vision, and that's about it.
It is never something that strikes me suddenly, out of nowhere, sending me peaking on a pysechelic trip. It has never added any debilitation to the simple fatigue that triggered it. It's hardly noticeable when focused on a task, but only when relaxing, winding down, almost ready for sleep.
Because of the lifestyle I lived for most of my life, I've had the opportunity to discuss this idea of flashbacks with many users and former users of psychedlic substances, and I've never heard anyone claim to have experienced a flasback episode anything like what is sometimes portrayed in popular culture.
I do not suggest that anyone experiment with these substances, but, I don't think anyone should fear riding in an automobile with someone who has.
I've been a truck-driver for nearly 20 years, and flashing back has not been an issue.
The "flashback" phenomenon, as we commonly understand it, seems to me, to be mostly exaggeration, almost to the point of myth.
Thank you for your fantastic blog, Father.
Glory to Jesus Christ.
God bless you!
DeleteNever having been a 'tripper,' I'll take your word for it. When I was in high school, we had a few kids who had major episodes during flashbacks: one kid started walking on the desks in English class trying to catch something, then took off. The other incident I can't describe. From those flashback incidents happening right there, I decided that acid was not the thing for me.
You are right, there were also legendary tales that have taken the truth and built upon it, but just that fact that these chemicals can come back later effect us should be cause for concern.
Of course, I'm glad you are staying safe on the highways!
Thanks for your input.
Do you mind if I ask why you were using that much acid, and what made you stop?
Glory to God for all things!