[Arminius]

I thought this would be a good place to ask a few interesting questions: What is the most important thing you have learned from a psychedelic experience? Have psychedelics positively affected your life? Have you ever re-experienced aimlessly floating in utero as an unborn infant inside of your mother? If you haven't made any big conclusions you can always share a trip story, as I enjoy reading them. If you can't share any conclusions and don't have a trip story, this might not be the thread for you.

[Arminius]

Also, check out this picture I made in photoshop.
https://i.imgur.com/aowZtDa.jpg

[Poor Peter]

Ok. I'll bite. Too many to share but one of the most vivid ones, and the first one that comes to mind is 3-31-91. Easter Sunday. Samson to open the second set. The lights were hittin ol' Jer in such a way that all you could see was the outline of his crazy hair stickin out every which way. Like a mane. Slowly his head began to grow larger and larger and eventually turned into a lions head. It was about 5 times bigger than the rest of his body. It gradually melted into one unrecognizable blob and as my eyes darted back and forth I could pull strands of it around the stage while it was still attached to his body. It got real intense and I thought I was gonna lose it , but then he settled into a nice calming Eyes and all was right in my world again.

[Charlie]

Haven't used acid since the late Seventies and unfortunately most of my experiences weren't that great. Extreme paranoia was a fairly common experience, including once when I voluntarily admitted myself to hospital, which led me to abandon it's use.

Usually at some point after the trip had had peaked I would experience a sensation of profound understanding of life the universe and everything, which I believe to be reason many early proponents of acid described the experience as mind expanding. On one occasion I decided to write down all of these incredible revelations I had and found the next day that I had in wriiten down a whole bunch of drivel. That was disapointing.

I haven't had too many visual halucinations although I do remember one quite vividly. I was walking in a park and decided to rest against a large wire fence about the size of a fence around a tennis court. As I sat down against it, the fence disolved into nothing. Pretty mundane but a genuine halucination.

My understanding is that your brain is continually bombarded with sensory input and there are filters in place which sort the most relevant information. This becomes your sensory experience at any given time. Acid breaks down those filters so that it becomes difficult for your brain to make an informed decision about the state of reality around you. This means that ordinary objects can seem quite different to the usual way you experience them. I can remember staring for what seemed like hours admiring the pattern on a persian rug and another time being totally entranced with the lights of the city skyline where I lived. Unfortunately it sometimes also left me extremely confused about interactions with other people and occasionally I would feel that I was unwelcome among my friends or that the cops were going to bust the house where I was at the time.

NB: When I was young we were always being warned about "acid flashbacks" that could occur a long time after you used LSD. Well for me it's been over 35 years and I'm still waiting.....

[Arminius]

Haven't used acid since the late Seventies and unfortunately most of my experiences weren't that great. Extreme paranoia was a fairly common experience, including once when I voluntarily admitted myself to hospital, which led me to abandon it's use.

Usually at some point after the trip had had peaked I would experience a sensation of profound understanding of life the universe and everything, which I believe to be reason many early proponents of acid described the experience as mind expanding. On one occasion I decided to write down all of these incredible revelations I had and found the next day that I had in wriiten down a whole bunch of drivel. That was disapointing.

I haven't had too many visual halucinations although I do remember one quite vividly. I was walking in a park and decided to rest against a large wire fence about the size of a fence around a tennis court. As I sat down against it, the fence disolved into nothing. Pretty mundane but a genuine halucination.

My understanding is that your brain is continually bombarded with sensory input and there are filters in place which sort the most relevant information. This becomes your sensory experience at any given time. Acid breaks down those filters so that it becomes difficult for your brain to make an informed decision about the state of reality around you. This means that ordinary objects can seem quite different to the usual way you experience them. I can remember staring for what seemed like hours admiring the pattern on a persian rug and another time being totally entranced with the lights of the city skyline where I lived. Unfortunately it sometimes also left me extremely confused about interactions with other people and occasionally I would feel that I was unwelcome among my friends or that the cops were going to bust the house where I was at the time.

NB: When I was young we were always being warned about "acid flashbacks" that could occur a long time after you used LSD. Well for me it's been over 35 years and I'm still waiting.....

I can relate to what you're saying. I've read quite a few books on reality and perception and it can get very absurd. When it all boils down to it, the only thing that you have to go off of, and create your reality from, is the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaneron. "You are the eyes of the world" My experience with LSD summed up by science is that it is just a manifestation of the infinite, which is the multiverse. A collection of infinite parallel and maybe sometimes not parallel universes. It is the only thing that can open me up to another perception of the world around me, and is therefore useful to understanding the world around me. *EDIT: This isn't just my tripped out rambling, look up string theory, m theory, and the 11th dimension.

[Charlie]

Back in the day, I bought into all the Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary stuff about expanding your mind but now feel very uncomfortable about those claims. All I can say is that if acid works for you and you can handle it then fine. From my own experience and first hand knowledge of good people who became acid casualties I would be extremely careful about recommending it's use.

I don't really feel able to comment on acid as a window to multiverses or other dimensions. Although I would not discount it, I had a fairly scientific education and tend to be sceptical about claims which are not supported by verifiable evidence. However, I acknowledge that many people would see that as my own personal bias.

Given that the culture of the Grateful Dead is so closely linked with the LSD experience I'm sure there would be many Deadheads with far more knowledge and personal experience of it than me. At this time in my life though, when it comes to acid I'll sit with the Wharf Rats.

[JakeStraw]

I actually just had my first psychedelic experience a few months ago. To say the least, it was incredibly beautiful and profound. It definitely has affected my life in a very positive way and I am still incorporating what I learned/experienced during the trip in my daily life. When explaining my experience to people, I find the best way to sum it up is to say that it brought me back to the purest form of my self that has ever existed. Which is to say that it brought me back to a childlike state. During the trip, I had no preconceptions of how things should be. I had no biased opinions or negative thoughts of myself or others. I was selfless and more giving. I was able to see the beauty of life in all things. These are the things that I now try to incorporate into my daily life. Truly grateful for this experience

[Arminius]

Back in the day, I bought into all the Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary stuff about expanding your mind but now feel very uncomfortable about those claims. All I can say is that if acid works for you and you can handle it then fine. From my own experience and first hand knowledge of good people who became acid casualties I would be extremely careful about recommending it's use.

I don't really feel able to comment on acid as a window to multiverses or other dimensions. Although I would not discount it, I had a fairly scientific education and tend to be sceptical about claims which are not supported by verifiable evidence. However, I acknowledge that many people would see that as my own personal bias.

Given that the culture of the Grateful Dead is so closely linked with the LSD experience I'm sure there would be many Deadheads with far more knowledge and personal experience of it than me. At this time in my life though, when it comes to acid I'll sit with the Wharf Rats.

I can dig it. I have had those moments, and I understand. I may get to your position one day, but for now, I'm just going down my road. Also, I find it interesting that you are an avid fan of the GD scene and not of the LSD scene. Rock on.

I actually just had my first psychedelic experience a few months ago. To say the least, it was incredibly beautiful and profound. It definitely has affected my life in a very positive way and I am still incorporating what I learned/experienced during the trip in my daily life. When explaining my experience to people, I find the best way to sum it up is to say that it brought me back to the purest form of my self that has ever existed. Which is to say that it brought me back to a childlike state. During the trip, I had no preconceptions of how things should be. I had no biased opinions or negative thoughts of myself or others. I was selfless and more giving. I was able to see the beauty of life in all things. These are the things that I now try to incorporate into my daily life. Truly grateful for this experience

Hell yea man! That's the stuff.

[jack-A-roe]

my utter insignificance alone and a more connected feeling with others. it isn't really something that you learn in a concrete way, but instead an openness that you sort of learn and are able to take with you following the experience.

a feeling that the day to day matters not and that most things are just noise that gets in the way of the music.

[Charlie]

Back in the day, I bought into all the Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary stuff about expanding your mind but now feel very uncomfortable about those claims. All I can say is that if acid works for you and you can handle it then fine. From my own experience and first hand knowledge of good people who became acid casualties I would be extremely careful about recommending it's use.

I don't really feel able to comment on acid as a window to multiverses or other dimensions. Although I would not discount it, I had a fairly scientific education and tend to be sceptical about claims which are not supported by verifiable evidence. However, I acknowledge that many people would see that as my own personal bias.

Given that the culture of the Grateful Dead is so closely linked with the LSD experience I'm sure there would be many Deadheads with far more knowledge and personal experience of it than me. At this time in my life though, when it comes to acid I'll sit with the Wharf Rats.

I can dig it. I have had those moments, and I understand. I may get to your position one day, but for now, I'm just going down my road. Also, I find it interesting that you are an avid fan of the GD scene and not of the LSD scene. Rock on.

I actually just had my first psychedelic experience a few months ago. To say the least, it was incredibly beautiful and profound. It definitely has affected my life in a very positive way and I am still incorporating what I learned/experienced during the trip in my daily life. When explaining my experience to people, I find the best way to sum it up is to say that it brought me back to the purest form of my self that has ever existed. Which is to say that it brought me back to a childlike state. During the trip, I had no preconceptions of how things should be. I had no biased opinions or negative thoughts of myself or others. I was selfless and more giving. I was able to see the beauty of life in all things. These are the things that I now try to incorporate into my daily life. Truly grateful for this experience

Hell yea man! That's the stuff.

Well I was a fan of Dead back in the Seventies too. The music stayed with me long after other aspects of the scene got left behind I suppose. I wonder how many of the surviving Dead members are still into tripping these days?

[mgbills]

A ramble as always...
It was a crazy time...being an Upstate kid from the Finger Lakes. Going to The City for college. Finding the GD scene. Getting mugged. Deciding tripping in big groups & concerts wasn't happening for me. Directing those experiences to the natural world. Moving West 25 years ago. Shrooms grow at my local Taco Bell in the fall.

I've had my share of crazy shit go down. But ultimately, I was never the same small town kid after the first LSD experience. I once played the original Star Wars game in a bar for 7 hours without ever dropping a quarter in the slot, laughing hysterically and living Luke Skywalker. I was the Tripster Cruiser, the Tripster Crazer, the Doo-Dah Man...the Man widda Plan.

Those experiences made me a guy who wont slave for a fancier sofa, or a bigger TV. I drive an '87 Toyota P/U, and she's ugly. I've run 3 small environmentally conscious companies.

I think those experiences helped establish a relationship with fear. And of course opened the doors to perception. I've seen death imagined a thousand times, and I hope to greet it as a friend when the time comes. I guess I'm down with "living no particular way" but my own. I have a Collossal wife. Two boys I raised from the time they were 4 & 6 respectively. Two dead parents. A dead sister. A host of dead friends, and a passel of Dead friends. The usual for any person of 50. I'm not immune to GAS, or the insecurities of modern life. I try to keep it real. Most of the world is far worse off.

When you're free from fear & judgement, what is left but Compassion, Love & Peace? That's what I got from LSD & Shrooms.
I'm ok with that. I'd do it all again in a second.
Peace
M ...

[Arminius]

Back in the day, I bought into all the Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary stuff about expanding your mind but now feel very uncomfortable about those claims. All I can say is that if acid works for you and you can handle it then fine. From my own experience and first hand knowledge of good people who became acid casualties I would be extremely careful about recommending it's use.

I don't really feel able to comment on acid as a window to multiverses or other dimensions. Although I would not discount it, I had a fairly scientific education and tend to be sceptical about claims which are not supported by verifiable evidence. However, I acknowledge that many people would see that as my own personal bias.

Given that the culture of the Grateful Dead is so closely linked with the LSD experience I'm sure there would be many Deadheads with far more knowledge and personal experience of it than me. At this time in my life though, when it comes to acid I'll sit with the Wharf Rats.

I can dig it. I have had those moments, and I understand. I may get to your position one day, but for now, I'm just going down my road. Also, I find it interesting that you are an avid fan of the GD scene and not of the LSD scene. Rock on.

I actually just had my first psychedelic experience a few months ago. To say the least, it was incredibly beautiful and profound. It definitely has affected my life in a very positive way and I am still incorporating what I learned/experienced during the trip in my daily life. When explaining my experience to people, I find the best way to sum it up is to say that it brought me back to the purest form of my self that has ever existed. Which is to say that it brought me back to a childlike state. During the trip, I had no preconceptions of how things should be. I had no biased opinions or negative thoughts of myself or others. I was selfless and more giving. I was able to see the beauty of life in all things. These are the things that I now try to incorporate into my daily life. Truly grateful for this experience

Hell yea man! That's the stuff.

Well I was a fan of Dead back in the Seventies too. The music stayed with me long after other aspects of the scene got left behind I suppose. I wonder how many of the surviving Dead members are still into tripping these days?

From what I understand Mickey is into tripping for just about every show! I could see it.

A ramble as always...
It was a crazy time...being an Upstate kid from the Finger Lakes. Going to The City for college. Finding the GD scene. Getting mugged. Deciding tripping in big groups & concerts wasn't happening for me. Directing those experiences to the natural world. Moving West 25 years ago. Shrooms grow at my local Taco Bell in the fall.

I've had my share of crazy shit go down. But ultimately, I was never the same small town kid after the first LSD experience. I once played the original Star Wars game in a bar for 7 hours without ever dropping a quarter in the slot, laughing hysterically and living Luke Skywalker. I was the Tripster Cruiser, the Tripster Crazer, the Doo-Dah Man...the Man widda Plan.

Those experiences made me a guy who wont slave for a fancier sofa, or a bigger TV. I drive an '87 Toyota P/U, and she's ugly. I've run 3 small environmentally conscious companies.

I think those experiences helped establish a relationship with fear. And of course opened the doors to perception. I've seen death imagined a thousand times, and I hope to greet it as a friend when the time comes. I guess I'm down with "living no particular way" but my own. I have a Collossal wife. Two boys I raised from the time they were 4 & 6 respectively. Two dead parents. A dead sister. A host of dead friends, and a passel of Dead friends. The usual for any person of 50. I'm not immune to GAS, or the insecurities of modern life. I try to keep it real. Most of the world is far worse off.

When you're free from fear & judgement, what is left but Compassion, Love & Peace? That's what I got from LSD & Shrooms.
I'm ok with that. I'd do it all again in a second.
Peace
M ...

That's the way to be, man. You are a righteous dude. Someone I'd like to jam with!

[Arminius]

I made a picture in photoshop.

[JakeStraw]

Love the picture nice work!

[mgbills]

I'm not opposed, but the cosmology really has to call out to me. If the "vehicle" appears, that would be step one. I'm never hunting that stuff. Then my old climbing buddies who are all married, and either have babies or kids in college, have to be availabe to head off to the mountains. Lastly, everyone is into it. In other words...not likely and not very often.

I remembered why I had stopped ever doing that stuff at concerts and the like last summer. It was a beautiful weekend in Portland, Oregon. Three days of Furthur. Saturday I drank some tea. Bad idea. Crowds just don't work for me. Even if the music is wonderful. I always end up near: a) the dude who needs to smoke 300 cigarettes. b) the straight chick (who never should've been conned into being there) needing an emotional rescue....or c) the dog farting inconsiderate ass-bag. I moved around the whole venue, and it was like that everywhere.

So yes and no, to the question of do I still engage in these activiites.