[dr_dshiv]

I loved the story. It spoke to me.

I'm optimistic. Things work in cycles. I think I know what would happen next. First, the human touch component would move out of the commodified middle class model to high-cost gentrified models and to low/no cost homebrew models.

Second, the middle class psychedelic exposure would result in hundreds of thousands more psychedelically adept humans, inspired to create meaningful, connected change. More than a cure for disease, it would catalyze cultural adaptation.

As psychedelic chemicals commercialise and normalize, new mystical rituals would develop, secular but profound. Classical civilization will continue, integrating science and spirit, commerce and consciousness. As it was, as it will be.

Capitalism does this. It moves in cycles, growing and corrupting, growing and corrupting. But in the end, with gratitude, we appear to live in a good world that offers us a beautiful future.

[Nursie]

How will society actually be different afterwards? Please be specific in your answer.

I've seen this sort of utopian thinking any number of times. If only everyone could just take a trip man, we would all live in love and harmony!

Except it's either just vague pipedreams and semi-mystical aspiration, or it's something more solid like communal living that in general disintegrates in the cold light of day.

[Disruptive_Dave]

My two cents - psychedelics can open your mind to a new way of processing information and thinking about your daily existence. Anecdotally, it's happened to me over the last 11+ years (not through psychedelics, but through other spiritual practices like meditation). The result is that I'm less angry, less judgmental, less likely to fly off the handle. Much better at processing information, removing clutter (bullshit), and disassociating from perceptions and feelings that used to define me.

In a very practical manner, this has made my interactions with everyone around me much..."better" doesn't feel like the right word but I'll use it here anyway. This is very simple - I'm "happier" (again, not the right word, but it'll do for now), I end up treating others better, which in turn has positive impacts on their lives and hopefully the lives of others that they engage with.

[Nursie]

well firstly, as you said, you've done this without the aid of psychedelics, so I'm not sure it's exactly an answer to my question!

And secondly, well that's not exactly a societal change. Has it made you ready to ditch capitalism?

(edit -- I'm sure your change in mindset is a positive thing, I'm not disputing that. I'm also not disputing that psychedelics can have a profound effect on individuals. But as someone who has used a fairly wide variety of psychedelics over a number of years, I've also experienced and observed that they can induce a false sense of the deeply profound. They do also seem to leave people with this idea they could change the world, but they never really seem to know how)

[dwaltrip]

If they play an important role in reducing the prevalence and severity of mental illness by an order of magnitude, I think that would be a huge boon to society, human well-being, and the advance of civilization. There have been a number of very promising studies.

It's hard to fully capture the damage that is done by debilitating depression or anxiety, for example. I think the statistics are that 20% of the entire population will experience at least one episode during their lifetime. And that number has been increasing.

[yycfoofoo]

perhaps a "state of chill"? nothing fancier that to be kind, be cool, and be able to put yourself in others' shoes for a second.

[orasis]

Psychedelic medicines allow people to attempt to heal themselves. Individual-driven intervention is not utopian.

[AstralStorm]

It is suicidal for most people. They're not equipped to handle these things safely, and however safe and non-addictive these substances are they do have side effects. Sometimes, rarely, lasting and not necessarily pleasant.

You can oversell them like SSRI are as well, that would be bad and easy to do.

Study then first and use them, but be careful about the consequences.

[orasis]

"suicidal for most people". You are flat wrong. Read the research. I would point people to Michael Pollan's new book "How to Change Your Mind" if you're interested in this type of therapy.

[saiya-jin]

> we appear to live in a good world that offers us a beautiful future.

That sounds quite entitled. Sure, if you are a well-off individual in one of western democracies, or one of very few riding the success wave elsewhere. For the rest, the world is changing for sure, some things get better, many things (environment, true freedom) are getting worse.

The sentiment you describe was common for hippies too, world-reshaping change just around the corner. But then reality happened. Don't hold your breath

[PhasmaFelis]

The world is getting better in many measurable ways. Access to reliable food, clean water, medical treatment, education, opportunities for women, and many others is up across the world.

Of course that's cold comfort to the people in places that are still going downhill, or who are "getting better" but still pretty shit. And environmental catastrophe is an existential threat. So it's not all sunshine and lollipops. But I don't think it's reasonable to say we're sliding straight into the abyss, either.

[dr_dshiv]

I'm sorry if you feel life isn't working out. There are still many challenges. But the challenges we have are good and true -- most people have more freedom and opportunities than they think. The disadvantaged are often disadvantaged in optimism and confidence -- if we keep telling people that they are oppressed and the world is shit, they might believe it. It is helpful for young brown girls the world over to know that they've never had more opportunity, or more people rooting for their success.

Pessimism has consequences -- and reality is what we make of it.