Posted by pinksharkmark (64.32.117.216) on August 22, 2001 at 21:13:30:
In Reply to: Mushrooms for CHs? posted by Bruce on August 22, 2001 at 00:46:49:
Amanita muscaria contains the active ingredient muscarine, which is chemically quite different from the hallucinogens that work for clusterheads.
The hallucinogens that work are all either phenethylamines (such as LSD) or triptamines (such as psilocybin/psilocin). Both are based on the "Indole Ring" molecular skeleton, as is serotonin.
For clusterheads, the amount required to stop a cycle is normally whatever it takes to produce a "Level 1" or "Level 2" experience. In the case of chronics, or episodics who are not completely med-free when they take the first dose, a second dose five days after the first is often required.
The link that Georgia provided is an excellent site to learn more.
It should be noted that there are many people who have taken enough to provide a "Level 3" or "Level 4" experience. This will work every bit as well as the lower doses, if that is what you are into, but it seems not to be necessary to do that much except in the most stubborn cases... usually longterm chronics.
The success rate is nothing short of astonishing: virtually 100% in the case of episodics, and not far behind for chronics. This is NOT a scam, NOT exaggeration, NOT an excuse to get high.
Hallucinogens work. Plain and simple. Game over. Case closed.
Level 1:
This level produces a mild "stoning" effect, with some visual enhancement (i.e. brighter colours, etcetera). Some short term memory anomalies. Left/right brain communication changes causing music to sound "wider".
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Level 2:
Bright colors, and visuals (i.e. things start to move and breath), some 2 dimensional patterns become apparent upon shutting eyes. Confused or reminiscent thoughts. Change of short term memory leads to continual distractive thought patterns. Vast increase in creativity becomes apparent as the natural brain filter is bypassed.
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Level 3:
Very obvious visuals, everything looking curved and/or warped patterns and kaleidoscopes seen on walls, faces etc. Some mild hallucinations such as rivers flowing in wood grained or "mother of pearl" surfaces. Closed eye hallucinations become 3 dimensional. There is some confusion of the senses (i.e. seeing sounds as colors, etcetera). Time distortions and "moments of eternity".
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Level 4:
Strong hallucinations, i.e. objects morphing into other objects. Destruction or multiple splitting of the ego. (Things start talking to you, or you find that you are feeling contradictory things simultaneously). Some loss of reality. Time becomes meaningless. Out of body experiences and e.s.p. type phenomena. Blending of the senses.
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Level 5:
Total loss of visual connection with reality. The senses cease to function in the normal way. Total loss of ego. Merging with space, other objects, or the universe. The loss of reality becomes so severe that it defies explanation. The earlier levels are relatively easy to explain in terms of measureable changes in perception and thought patterns. This level is different in that the actual universe within which things are normally perceived, ceases to exist! Satori enlightenment (and other such labels).
pinky