Pt2 Psychedelics

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Fly Away

Humans have had a long standing and interesting relationship with psychedelics, a quick search of our history shows many cultures worldwide have utilized psychedelics in a number of rituals.

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Psychedelics are a class of drug whose primary action is to trigger psychedelic experiences via serotonin receptor agonism, causing thought and visual/auditory changes, and altered state of consciousness. Major psychedelic drugs include mescaline, LSD, psilocybin, marijuana, DMT.
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For the most part these rituals are sacred in nature and are associated with spiritual experiences, connecting with 'other' realms of existence and reality, finding the self, communicating with 'other' beings (gods, spirits, etc.).

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The term psychedelic is derived from the Greek words ψυχή (psyche, "soul, mind") and δηλείν (delein, "to manifest"), hence "soul-manifesting", the implication being that psychedelics can access the soul and develop unused potentials of the human mind.[8] The word was coined in 1956 by British psychiatrist, Humphry Osmond, the spelling loathed by American ethnobotanist, Richard Schultes, but championed by the American psychologist, Timothy Leary.[9]

Aldous Huxley had suggested to Humphry Osmond in 1956 his own coinage phanerothyme (Greek "phaneroein-" visible + Greek "thymos" soul, thus "visible soul").[10] Recently, the term entheogenic has come into use to denote the use of psychedelic drugs in a religious/spiritual/mystical context.
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Some have speculated that the origin of modern human beings is based on the use of psychedelic mushrooms, that the psychedelic experience is the cause of the incredible and, thus far, inexplicable leap in the 'growth' in brain size over a short period of time evolutionarily speaking.

Stoned Ape

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The war on drugs classified psychedelics as 'schedule 1'/'class A' , this means that these substances have high potential for abuse, no 'medical use' and are seen as of no benefit to mankind in any way.

However, this concept has been challenged over the years and much more in recent times with MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), John Hopkins university, Imperial College London, etc. forging a new path for the place of human interaction with psychedelics via scientific testing.

Studies have indicated Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity and studies observing the brain, via fMRi, during mushroom experiences have noted neurogenesis equivalent to 8 hrs of studying, Psychedelic Neurogenesis

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Neurogenesis: Is the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain. Neurogenesis is crucial when an embryo is developing, but also continues in certain brain regions after birth and throughout our lifespan.
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Research has also shown that psychedelics can assist with, dealing with long term/childhood traumas, treating various forms of addiction, treating PTSD, treating depression and anxiety.

So what is the psychedelic experience ? What do people see and feel? What happens to 'us' in that realm ? Well those can be simple questions which have very complex answers.

The experience is very much subjective and customized to the individual. Depending on who the person is , what they are going through at the time, what they have been through in the past... these are just some of the contributing factors associated with the psychedelic experience as well as the 'meaning' attributed to it.

A commonality among breakthrough doses of psychedelics is that it is ineffable...

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HIMYM

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Ineffable: Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.
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While deciphering the subjective experience is considerably difficult, the best way to do so is seek the similarities within those experiences via discourse analysis.

We should also consider that mild doses may influence visuals and experiencing segmented reality, what the focus of inquiry is in this investigation is what is classed as breakthrough doses, these doses often describe a completely alternate reality than what we commonly perceive.

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Breakthrough: A sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development.
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Common Aspects of the Psychedelic Experience

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Colours

An explosion of colours are often discussed as part of the psychedelic experience, usually in the sense of experiencing colours in a different way, colours one has never seen before , seeing them all at once, etc.

Groovy

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Traveling Through

The sensation of traveling or moving through something, sometimes at great speeds, a tunnel, a wormhole, a kaleidoscope, a looking glass, etc. Again with many colours to see and experience.

Through the Looking Glass

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Fractals

Fractal: A curve or geometrical figure, each part of which has the same statistical character as the whole.

Essentially a pattern repeated on itself infinity inwards and infinitely outwards... or what is religiously described as "as above, so below"

Fractal

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Sacred Geometry

As discussed in the previous article Sacred Geometry, Psychedelics & Simulation Theory - Pt1, Sacred Geometry is all around us and may even bet the fundamental building blocks of our experience within the universe.

Their existence becomes more prominent as we see the patterns of sacred geometry emerge in all that we interact with.

Sacred Geometry

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Auditory Hallucinations

While not as commonly reported as the visual aspects, auditory hallucination can play a key role during the psychedelic experience.

Many reports tend to define the onset moments of the real world noise , fading out/ becoming distant, sounding underwater, slowing down like a record player, or a digitizing sound similar to 'that scream' in the matrix movie.

The Matrix

The sound is then transitioned with what suits the visual psychedelic experience or is segmented reality as is needed, some report the senses switching roles to take in additional sound information, or just to experience it differently, Synesthesia.

Sound

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Synesthesia

Synesthesia: Is a condition in which one sense (for example, hearing) is simultaneously perceived as if by one or more additional senses such as sight. Another form of synesthesia joins objects such as letters, shapes, numbers or people's names with a sensory perception such as smell, color or flavor.
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more info

Synesthesia

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Inter-Dimensional Beings

Often encountered in breakthrough experiences is interaction with 'other' intelligent life, sentient beings from other dimensions or galaxies far, far away. Some believe them to be god/s, creators, others believe they are our future selves, the theories are infinite.

Some are so frequently encountered by people during psychedelic experiences that they have specific names "Mother Ayahuasca", "DMT Snake", "The Mechanical Elves", Light Beings, etc.

These beings present in a number of shapes and forms, such as animals, aliens, spirits, Angels, humanoids, energy balls, colours, and much more. Their interactions with us seem to be that of teacher/parent to child, attempting to get us to understand, learn, evolve... However, these lessons may not always be pleasant, but they are truths we must take on while in that realm.

Light Beings

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Common Sensations of the Psychedelic Experience

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Being Overwhelmed

With our neurons working overtime we experience sensory overload, there is so much incoming data from our receptors that the mind struggles to process it all... in the beginning.

This can equate to a sense of being overwhelmed, and rightly so, but once this passes we commence our journey into nirvana.

Overwhelmed

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Ego Death

Often occurring during onset, ego death is the beginning of the journey of psychedelics at breakthrough levels. Commonly associated with 'shedding the self' of subjectivity to be able to experience the objectivity of the universe itself.

While only lasting moments it scan be a terrifying ordeal if one is not prepared to face themselves and their actions throughout life. Clinging to ego and resisting can lead to unpleasant experiences, many report the best method is to embrace our flaws and mistakes, admit the truth to ourselves... let go of the self and experience the bliss that awaits.

Ego Death: A "complete loss of subjective self-identity". The term is used in various intertwined contexts, with related meanings. In Jungian psychology, the synonymous term psychic death is used, which refers to a fundamental transformation of the psyche.
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Ego Death

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Sense of Awe

The sense of awe has in incredible effect on the human experience, it can give a perception of time speeding up, slowing down and even standing still... and that is before we even interact with psychedelics.

As children everything is a new experience to us, seeing a rainbow for the first time, experiencing the rain... but soon our lives become 'ordinary', we experience everything there is to experience and we dont have those moments as much.

Psychedelic breakthroughs can keep us in a state of awe throughout the experience... you can live many lifetimes within one interaction.

As we gaze at the wonder which presents itself, we again become like children, experiencing everything for the first time.

Awe

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Acquisition of Knowledge

Interactions with the aforementioned beings and the psychedelic experience itself often gives us a wealth of knowledge... We gain an understanding of the universe and how it works, we know all we need to know, BUT we must leave it behind as we return to our default operation process when we return from our journey.

However, we can bring slivers of knowledge/data with us through our limited memory, many have reported being able to do things they could not prior to the psychedelic experience, creating artwork, understanding music, etc. This is often associated with being 'shown' how to do it or shown how it works while in the psychedelic realm.

In fact with a little digging around there are many interesting tales (some of which can not be supported) that indicate the influence of psychedelics in discoveries, breakthroughs and success. From scientists to novelists right through to computers and technology..

While some may question some of these examples , for those that have experienced it themselves, attained new skills/knowledge through the psychedelic experience, there is very little doubt it is possible.

Knowledge Drop

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Oneness with universe

A feeling of connection to everything in the universe and everything connected to the individual, an understanding of the harmony and equivalent exchange within the universe.

The need for darkness and light, pleasure and pain, the appreciation that for the one to exist so must the other... and everything in between.

With the complete understanding of everything in our existence reaching the highest level of enlightenment, zen, or any other name given to this state of being, is a task which is simply achieved.

We Are The Universe

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Experimental Psychedelic Experience

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This is just some of what the psychedelic experience entails, and these are some of the more common interactions noted with psychedelic substances. There is a considerable amount of data on the subjects and trip reports which can be analyzed reflecting these experiences.

But it is not only street punk psychonaut ravers who seek these interactions with psychedelics, scientific studies have been conducted investigating what people experience for a good number of years.

Below we see the effects of LSD on a 1950s housewife, after a psych test and evaluation she is give the all clear in 'normality' for the time. After the dose of LSD what she describes is incredibly interesting...

1950s Housewife Tries LSD

Naturally, when we have something new and of interest on the cards we try and weaponize it, so here we have some field tests in the military with LSD. This is not even going near the MKUltra project, but it most certainly should be noted.

LSD - Testing On British Marines (1964) (Misc.) [HD]

DMT was researched in the 90s by Rick Strassman, the following documentary looks into the research conducted, the outcomes and also interviews some of the participants to hear what they have to say about the experience in their own words.

DMT: The Spirit Molecule (2010)

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Psychedelics & Religion

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While many consider it blasphemous to consider psychedelics having anything to do with religion, there is evidence of influences of the psychedelic nature.

In the writings contained within these holy books there are references to particular plants which have been know to contain psychedelic properties... and lets be real here, there are some pretty far out stories in each of these faiths attempting to explain our existence and how it came to be. Is it really that much of a stretch to consider the psychedelic influence could be a factor in the construction of religion ?

When the body is deprived of basic needs such as sleep, food, ect. for extended periods of time it can influence hallucinogenic experiences psychedelic in nature. Further, if people are hungry they will be willing to eat almost anything they can.... even mushrooms the find growing in the wild?

There are a number of ways in which the influence can be explained, however we must be able to put our personal thoughts, feelings, beliefs, pride.... and the dogma aside to be able to explore the possibilities.

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Mosque

Below we look at some of the designs within stain glass and ceiling designs within Mosque's, note the geometric shapes being displayed and in particular the seed/flower of life design in the stain glass.

Mosque Ceilings

Mosque Stain Glass

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Synagogue

here we see some clear references to the platonic solids in the 'Star Tetrahedron/Star of David/Aura' designs and also 'The Fruit of Life' some, ther are also influences of Fibonacci in the spiral designs.

Spanish Synagogue

Synagogue of Groningen

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Church

The egg of life, the fruit of life, triquetra, vesica pisces, Fibonacci there is quite a bit to take in from these stain glass designs when it comes to sacred geometry.

notre dam

chapel-thanks-giving-dallas-texas

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Buddhist Temples

buddhist cave temples in khartse valley

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Danger & Toxicity

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Legal Federal Drug classification

Many psychedelics fall in the low toxicity category when classified in danger of consumption and usage, the chart above places Aspirin as a more hazardous substance to take than some psychedelics.

Further, when we apply the LD50, abuse potential and a number of other constructs we start to see how over classified psychedelics actually are, particularly when compared to many substances which are legal and available over the counter.

LD50(Lethal dose): Is the amount of an ingested substance that kills 50 percent of a test sample. It is expressed in mg/kg, or milligrams of substance per kilogram of body weight. Common name. Toxin. Lethal doses.
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Abuse Potential vs Toxicity

This is not to say that psychedelics are not without negative aspects, as with cannabis, those with some mental disorders (such as schizophrenia) can sometimes have adverse reactions to psychedelics, these materials are not for everyone.

That being said, there are people who have nut allergies etc. which exemplifies the same construct, something harmless for one person can be harmful to another... we are not all the same, therefore we must make assessments based on individual needs.

As with any kind of material too much of anything is not good for us, even too much water can kill us, Water Intoxication. Again referring to the LD50 in comparison to many everyday over the counter materials, due diligence is required when making these assessments for ourselves.

If used responsibly and appropriately these materials have the potential to assist various mental health conditions medically, as is being supported by growing research in the field.

Stan Grof

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Conclusion

So as you can see us humans have a long and complex relationship with psychedelics, be it ingested or naturally occurring... and this is just the tip of the iceberg, there is much to be researched and found beneath the surface.

While mankind still struggles to find a modern place for psychedelics in our lives, it seems that its place has been in our history for more than we care to acknowledge, admit or want to try and understand.

What can be said for certain is that the experience is profound and has the power to alter our state of consciousness. Psychedelics have the ability to shift our perspective and allow us to see things in a new light, in different ways.

Maybe that is its only purpose, to allow us to see the universe a way we have never seen it before, to gain an understanding for how it works and how we work within that model... Maybe we are just the universe experiencing and observing itself.

We Are The Universe Observing Itself

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