![[info]](http://klab.lv/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
peacemaker @ :
What is a psychedelic?
Psychedelics usually fall into the 2 chemical compound categories of tryptamines, or phenetylamines. The most common phenetylamines (excluding mescaline) happen to be research chemicals such as the DO* and 2c-* chemicals like DOI, DOM, DOB, DOC, 2c-i, 2c-b, 2c-e, 2ct-7, and on and on. I won't focus on those as much in the OP but the thread will certainly be open for questions regarding any and all psychedelics.
The other chemical class of psychedelics are called tryptamines. Many neurotransmitters also fall into this class but are not psychedelics (5-HTP/5-HT/etc). The most common tryptamines are LSD, psilocin(metabolized from psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in mushrooms), and DMT.
These drugs work by binding to 5-HT2A receptor site. There are many speculations from there on but nobody is 100% sure what actually causes the a psychedelic experience.
Should I take a psychedelic?
Fuck this question. It depends, it depends on everything. It depends on where you are in your life and if you think tripping would be beneficial and/or fun. These are very powerful things that in my opinion are best for personal development, if you want to have fun that's fine and you probably will but there are plenty of other ways to have fun that don't involve altering your neurochemistry.
It's probably not the best idea to take a psychedelic if you're depressed or unhappy with your current situation in life, but on the other hand I've seen people including myself completely turn around parts of their life around after a trip. This is a decision you'll have to make on your own, talk and listen to people who've tried it. And remember there is no hurry.
How much should I take?
I would say start small, there is no rush and you can always take more, the drugs will come back around. Others would say that to truly have a psychedelic experience you need to take enough to be overwhelmed. Those people are stupid. If you have started small and find it to be underwhelming, don't be afraid to up your dosage if you feel like the experience has more to offer.
Tolerance?
Ya. It's there. It's much more negligible than say opiates or alcohol or weed, but it's there. There is a cross tolerance with chemicals from the same class. For instance because MDMA and 2c-i are both phenethylamines you may experience diminished effects if taken the same or next day. The same goes for LSD and mushrooms, but for some reason mixing MDMA and LSD won't have any diminished effects. The way I see it, lots of stuff is going on your head. Neurons are getting fired, neurotransmitters are shifting around a lot, it's a good idea after you do any drug to wait a while and let your brain get back to baseline. Remember, be patient. There is no hurry.
Can I take psychedelics while on anti-depressants?
You'll have a weak trip or none at all. A few ADs will increase the strength of the trip but you'll need to consult erowid for the full text.
Should I do mushrooms before acid?
Possibly the most infuriating question I get asked. They are 2 different drugs, with 2 different effects. Just because one is used more flippantly than the other and is harder to find doesn't make it any less powerful. I did acid first, and wouldn't have it any other way. Comments suggesting a drug hierarchy are a step in the wrong direction. With a high enough dose a drug commonly considered good for a first timer will induce a trip the likes of any other drug. With that being said, salvia, DMT, and other fast acting ego-loss-inducing drugs are not a good idea for a first timer. The reason isn't because there is some existential check-list one have to fulfill before moving onto “harder drugs”, but because the experience is so....”big”... it may turn the person off from using other drugs more responsibly and at a lesser dose that can actually help them grow as a person instead of just seeing bizarre shit.
What about mixing psychedelics?
Why?
How do I store [drug]?
LSD is a very fragile molecule that gets destroyed by light, heat, air, and chlorinated (tap) water. Store it (no matter the form) in a cool, dark, dry place. Blotter should be wrapped in foil. Mushrooms: put them in a bag, close said bag. You can put them in the fridge or freezer with the acid, but I don't think it matters. For DMT and the RC's just keep them cool because you don't want mushy powder, that's gross. Aside from mushrooms, any and all myths saying if you keep it out long enough this or that becomes poisonous are completely false. If you see mold on mushrooms, throw them away, mold is gross and is currently plaguing my housemates and I.
I want to take a psychedelic, but I'm afraid of freaking out and having a bad trip. How can I avoid one?
I'm not sure how to answer that, and I'm not sure it can be answered. Not that a bad trip is unavoidable, but the question just seems irrelevant or inapplicable. What I do know is that if one wanted to induce a bad trip and all they'd have to do is take psychedelics frequently and carelessly.
I'm tripping, what should I do?
I probably shouldn't answer this question because figuring it out on your own is half the fun, but people will just keep asking around until they find an answer so fuck it, and if you don't want to read the suggested activities, don't. First of all, go outside. Not only is outside beautiful, but there is more to think. There is also more room to be, and to fill that space with thoughts. Nature is awesome, and psychedelics will only strengthen that view so outside is always fantastic. Don't forget to look up! Old N64 games are great. But for the maximum thought producing trip, a circle around a hookah will do wonders. The most important thing to do while tripping is things you would love to do sober. And whatever you do on a trip, DO NOT SETTLE FOR SOMETHING YOU AREN'T 100% ENTHUSED ABOUT DOING. Spend the time and effort to make what you want happen, and it will be that much better. (Also, Super Smash Brothers 64.)
I have a family history of mental health problems but I really want to try psychedelics, advice?
Talk to a psychologist. If you don't have one, get one. If you are too young to get one, or can't speak to your parents rationally and ask to see a psychologist (which you should be seeing already if your family has a mental health history) then you are probably not in the best position to do psychedelics anyway.
Set and Setting
Setting refers to your physical environment during a trip. What kind of people are you around? Are they your close friends? Do you trust them? Do you feel safe there? Are you sick or tired? Are you inside, out, or both? Set refers to your mentality at the time. Have you been going through a wide range of emotions recently? Are anxious about something? Are you doing it because everyone else is doing it, or do you genuinely want to? A billion things play a part in set and setting but the important thing is to make sure you definitely want to do this. Edit: It's best to trip when you have nothing to do the next door, or the next half hour like go to school or work.
Planning. Put forth effort, and plan things.
LSD:
-OK, so I've acquired some triangles, how many should I take?
Be forewarned, the potency of batches can very greatly. I always tested out a new batch with 2 hits, and sometimes it was stronger than I was normally comfortable with, seldom was it weaker. Never make any generalizations like, “I heard white on white were really strong and that's what I got.” White on white isn't like a brand, it just means no printing at all. This is for security reasons. It could have been layed, or somebody could have dropped liquid onto the piece of paper and said it was the infamous white on white. Such is the black market.
-I tripped longer than 12 hours and there was other symptoms not common with LSD, did I get an RC?
It's a possibility. I've tripped for 12 hour-18hour taking hits from the same sheet so that's not always a giveaway. Also, sometimes sheets are laid in grain alcohol with contributes to the bad taste. This doesn't necessarily mean it's an RC, as people say if it's bitter, it's an RC. I've never been duped and bought an RC so I don't know, but I assume if it's so bitter you want to spit it out, that might be a good idea anyway. What's the point of putting something in you that your body doesn't want you to put in? As for the irregular symptoms, those are most likely psychosomatic responses you induced yourself, and then dwelt on.
Mushrooms:
-OK, so I've acquired some mushrooms and want to want the Justice League battle Darkseid behind closed eyelids, how much should I take?
First, understand there are two main methods of ingestion, both require eating. But one generally produces a lot stronger trip than the other. One is just to eat the mushrooms not ground up. Most people including myself can't do this anymore after developing an aversion. Sometimes people cut them mushrooms up into small chunks and then make tea from it, maybe effective but that's a lot of shroom water. Or you can just flat out eat them. Then there is putting your mushies into a coffee grinder, after this you have a variety of methods that result in you being on mushrooms. When you grind mushrooms and then eat them there is more surface area and your body can digest/metabolize the organic matter/psilocybin almost all at once instead of over a period of time. The trip will be like a bolus, stronger, but a lot shorter. Depending on how much you take, maybe 1-2.5 hours shorter, and that much stronger.
-Methods of Injestion:
Mushroom Slurpee: Grind mushrooms. Get a coke slurpee (the size about twice as big as the smallest) and put the mushrooms in there. Mix. Mix some more. Drink. It's interesting on how you can alter the strength of your trip just by changing the speed you drink the slurpee. Also slurpees are awesome.
Chocolates!: Ice cube size chocolates hold about 1-1.7 grams of mushroom powder. If your dealer says otherwise, he is lying and/or uninformed. There are good recipes for this on the shroomery or elsewhere online. Other than the next method, it's my favorite way to eat mushrooms. I'm just too lazy to make them myself.
00-Capsules: Go to your local vitamin whatever place and get 1000 of these for 5 bucks. Grind mushrooms, put them in the 00-capsules. I'm pretty sure you can put exactly 1 gram per capsule. If you can't find the capsules, buy some milk thistle which comes in 00-capsules, empty them out, and replace with mushroom powder. I must stress this again, grinding mushrooms will produce a much stronger trip. There is no harm in starting small.
-My stomach hurts
That's because you just ate some mushrooms.
A word about smoking DMT:
It's difficult. The first time my friend and I tried it we wasted a good 100mg. It's kind of all over the place, for some people only a certain technique works and any other way fails miserably, for others its the opposite technique that words. Don't be frustrated when it happens.
I've heard DMT, salvia, and others of the like are good for first timers because they are fast-acting, is this true?
No. Just because it's legal, or gray enough to not be illegal, doesn't mean you should do it. Also, just because the trip is short doesn't mean it can't be overwhelming. If you are considering doing any of these drugs, make sure you read a lot of experiences and ask yourself if you really want to do this. I can't bring myself to suggest these drugs to the most seasoned psycho naught, much less someone new to exploring different mind states.
......Then again if you want to get sucked into a vortex or go to another planet or talk to alien crocodiles, these are the drugs for you!
Links:
http://www.psychedelic-library.org/
http://www.tripzine.com/listing.php?id=p
www.erowid.org
Don't forget people, they're just drugs. And while I have had some of the most beautiful life changing experiences that I wouldn't trade anything in the world for, they are just drugs.