[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.