[quirkafleeg3]

To quote Gene Hunt from Life on Mars: "Drugs eh, what's the point? They make you talk funny, they make you walk funny, they make you see things that aren't there. My nan got all that for free when she had a stroke."

In all seriousness, I think people who use drugs like this have something missing in their life. Instead of getting hopped up on mushrooms, why not look at your life and work out what you are using mushrooms as a subsitute for.

[javajosh]

Okay, lets say you're right. What does that imply about all the other things people do? Why are you watching movies - what is that a substitute for? Why are you exercising so much - what do you have to hide from yourself?

Given that you could (and should) ask these questions legitimately, why focus on recreational psychadelics? I think the answer is that you've internalized a particular cultural story about drugs, and you probably have Nancy Reagan to thank for that.

Being against mushrooms seems particularly odd, since every human being on the planet involuntarily falls unconscious and hallucinates for hours every single night, including you. In the hierarchy of damaging escapist behavior, it's pretty low I think (far lower certainly than say, Facebook or Twitter usage).

[rofo1]

I know a lot of drug users and they all do it to kill their pain. No exceptions.

And they all progress towards harder drugs. They either progress or stop doing drugs. Nobody started doing drugs directly shooting heroin.

Comparing psychedelics to sleep is just laughable.

[Infinitesimus]

Pretty small anecdote though.

There is some truth in the Buddhist truth of "Dukkha" (that life is suffering).

Most of us are simply seeking ways to enjoy the ride and have a meaningful existence while we're here. Some people try mind-altering substances in small doses to explore different states of existence, cope with pain, celebrate, meditate, etc.

We all do things to numb our pain don't we? Medication, activities, work, family, hobbies, art, music, whatever.

I believe legalizing psychedelics will give us a chance to better study and understand what precautions we need to give to people curious.

[rofo1]

I disagree with that "life is suffering, so lets do whatever we want".

Also I have no pain (luckily) in my life. I've never had other than when family members died. And I enjoy every day without doing drugs, alcohol or something like that.

In my opinion (and I am aware this is harsh) most of the problems people claim they have are pure nonsense and incredibly trivial. They want to blow them out of proportion so they can add some meaning to their life. It's like trying to deal with boredom in the most destructive way imaginable.

In my mind, the only non-trivial problems are generally health issues (death of a loved one etc.)

What kind of pain do you have that you need mind-altering substances?

We are at the height of our civilizations, we have billions of things to do and billions of hobbies to choose from and research, and explore and.. I don't know what else. We live better than ever, and better than kings used to live.

I can't understand how someone that is healthy, has money to live life somewhat comfortably needs to do these drugs to survive.

[mayniac]

>And they all progress towards harder drugs

Massive [citation needed] here. This is absolutely untrue from my personal experiences.

[rofo1]

I just mentioned that it's something I've noticed, so unless you want me to cite myself, I don't know what to cite here.

My sample is around 50 people, I think. Maybe little less.

[AndrewDucker]

They can be very useful: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/magic-mushrooms-ls...

And they can be fun. And an interesting experience.

[Synaesthesia]

It’s true WRT to most drugs eg coffee, alcohol, marijuana etc. But a mushroom experience is something really special which can help you love yourself and accept yourself more, plus you do t really want to do it frequently.

[rofo1]

It's mind-boggling to me how things are changing. In my surroundings, I am a tiny minority that never does drugs, smokes or drinks alcohol. Nearly 100% of people do that and if you don't do that, you are the weird one. Same thing goes for eating crap food. I eat clean (got 8 pack etc.) and that's another thing that changed.

I can't claim that I know the exact reasons why people insist on this, but to me it looks like deeply unhappy people trying to find quick happiness in drugs or alcohol. But I have yet to meet a single person that is truly happy (and isn't faking it on Instagram posting "life is good!111" pictures) that is fat/out of shape or does drugs. Not a single one. When I was younger, I just couldn't tell, until I started getting closer to people and see how unhappy they really are. You can't see that on the surface.

Something does not add up.

But I am certain that drugs is not the answer.

[pmoriarty]

Watch these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc-SOGZPPpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJgWKl_vss0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRn_HD7nH8g