Posted by pinksharkmark (64.32.117.105) on February 06, 2002 at 15:49:10:
In Reply to: Experimenting with other substances... posted by Todd Owen on February 06, 2002 at 12:34:39:
You outlined your reasons for choosing not to try this therapy, and I now understand why you feel the way you do. No need to get defensive... I asked out of sincere interest, I can accept your reasons, and I don't have a problem with them. You are correct that I feel differently, but I'll bet you and I have different opinions on any number of things.
I will not try to change your mind, but I know that others who are contemplating this therapy will read this thread, so let me clarify a few things.
It is true that some illegal substances are hazardous to one's health, but the hallucinogens under discussion are in fact benign. They are less toxic than virtually anything you can think of: less toxic than Vitamin A, far less toxic than acetaminophen, certainly orders of magnitude less toxic than any of the standard CH meds. They do no liver damage. This is not my opinion, this is medical fact, reported in many scientific studies.
As for the prescription problem, I realize that in the United States it may be impossible to get a prescription for psilocybin. This is not true elsewhere. Under the Canadian Narcotics Control Act, for example, a licenced practitioner can write a prescription for psilocybin, or for LSD. It would be a futile exercise, however, since no Canadian pharmacy would be able to fill the prescription.
Regarding the expense of a three-day vacation in Holland or the United Kingdom, it is less than you think. I have seen one week return flights from New York to Amsterdam advertised for under $300, and this was before the airlines initiated price cuts prompted by the September 11 attacks. I will admit that I hadn't considered the family angle, though. As a single guy I often overlook this aspect of other people's lives. I apologize for not thinking all the aspects of a vacation through completely.
As for a reliable source, well over a dozen clusterheads that I know of simply grow their own psilocybin mushrooms. There are probably a lot more I don't know of who do, as well. Tens (probably hundreds) of thousands of non-clusterheads grow them on a regular basis. Recent innovations in cultivation methods have made this something that a seven year old child could do. No exaggeration.
To address the most sensationalized side effect, "getting high", Margi correctly pointed out that the "stoning" effect of a "clusterhead-size" dose can be as slight as that of a two or three beer buzz. Let me assure you that I got a LOT higher on a neuro-prescribed dose of Sansert than I did on a prophylactic dose of psilocybin. I, like you, am a control freak. I dislike being out of control. And I would never drive a car or ride a bicycle or jump out of an airplane while under the influence of even a small dose of psilocybin -- although many people do. In my opinion, those guys are nuts.
It is interesting to hear that oxycontin doesn't provide a high. This is at odds with the government's claim that oxycontin is being bought on the black market by those seeking to get high, but I am not surprised to hear the US government got that wrong, too. Lord knows they are prone to exaggeration when it comes to other aspects of the War on Drugs.
Thanks again for your thoughtful reply, and let me repeat that I hope the next drug prescribed by your neuros finally brings you some lasting relief.
pinky