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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Roman on September 23, 2002, at 21:49:13
When I was a teenager, much effort was put into researching substances to make me feel any-which-way but normal. Now, I'm constantly attempting to find the right dosage/drugs/cocktails that make me feel as close to "normal" as possible--pretty funny methinks.
Posted by utopizen on September 23, 2002, at 22:09:42
In reply to Times: They Are A-Changin', posted by Roman on September 23, 2002, at 21:49:13
> When I was a teenager, much effort was put into researching substances to make me feel any-which-way but normal. Now, I'm constantly attempting to find the right dosage/drugs/cocktails that make me feel as close to "normal" as possible--pretty funny methinks.
>Pretty interesting observation. My roommate said the same thing- noticing i'm really into drugs, but only for the same of becoming more normal (social anxiety).
Unfortunately, your generation sort of fast-tracked me onto this approach, because I started the normalization regime the day I legally became an adult...
Posted by Roman on September 23, 2002, at 22:51:59
In reply to Re: Times: They Are A-Changin', posted by utopizen on September 23, 2002, at 22:09:42
In retrospect, I was actually trying to self-medicate for various problems back then. I used alcohol to relieve Social Phobia, coke and speed to make me more outgoing and increase motivation/energy, pot to treat apathy and inability to experience pleasure, and LSD to save on airfare.
Peyote and mushrooms were essentially religious sacraments--they go in a different catagory.
Interestingly, I never had an addiction problem with any of these substances, yet I did use them chronically--in small amounts. I would start the day with a tiny bit of weed or coke and take another drop every few hours to keep me slightly buzzed, but not trashed. I functioned quite well like that (work, school, etc.) for years. When I felt it was time to quit, I went cold turkey with no problems.
I often thought LSD may have caused, or contributed, to an imbalance in my neurochemistry. My mood disorders became much worse after experimenting with acid, and never went back to the way they were before the trips. I'm hoping to repair some of the damage with the meds available now--or at least help deal with some of the discomfort.
What a long strange trip it's been.
Posted by Tabßitha on September 23, 2002, at 23:08:47
In reply to Times: They Are A-Changin', posted by Roman on September 23, 2002, at 21:49:13
So true. I used to pride myself on being so unusual, now I want to be Normal, or at least close to it. What's entertaining at 25 starts to grate on people at 40, you notice?
Posted by BrittPark on September 23, 2002, at 23:58:10
In reply to Re: Times: They Are A-Changin', posted by Roman on September 23, 2002, at 22:51:59
> In retrospect, I was actually trying to self-medicate for various problems back then. I used alcohol to relieve Social Phobia, coke and speed to make me more outgoing and increase motivation/energy, pot to treat apathy and inability to experience pleasure, and LSD to save on airfare.
>
> Peyote and mushrooms were essentially religious sacraments--they go in a different catagory.
>
> Interestingly, I never had an addiction problem with any of these substances, yet I did use them chronically--in small amounts. I would start the day with a tiny bit of weed or coke and take another drop every few hours to keep me slightly buzzed, but not trashed. I functioned quite well like that (work, school, etc.) for years. When I felt it was time to quit, I went cold turkey with no problems.
>
> I often thought LSD may have caused, or contributed, to an imbalance in my neurochemistry. My mood disorders became much worse after experimenting with acid, and never went back to the way they were before the trips. I'm hoping to repair some of the damage with the meds available now--or at least help deal with some of the discomfort.
>I had the same experience. Twenty years ago I had a really bad trip on what I thought was Mescaline but could well have been LSD or PCP. I semi-recovered by the next morning but never felt right again. I've had chronic agitated depressions ever since. I've always wondered if I suffer from some kind of PTSD from the bad trip.
Lesson for all youngsters: don't f*** with LSD. It's one of the most dangerous drugs out there.
> What a long strange trip it's been.
>
Posted by Roman on September 24, 2002, at 10:21:06
In reply to Re: Times: They Are A-Changin', posted by Tabßitha on September 23, 2002, at 23:08:47
> What's entertaining at 25 starts to grate on people at 40, you notice?
Yup. My tastes in clothes, hairstyle, friends, food, etc. have definitely changed over the years. From this perspective, it's hard to understand my likes from twenty years ago. But one taste has remained relatively constant: my burning passion for good ol' Rock-n-Roll! I doubt even 60mg Adderall could get my juices flowin' as fast as The Beatles or Stones can.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 24, 2002, at 10:41:48
In reply to Re: Times: They Are A-Changin', posted by BrittPark on September 23, 2002, at 23:58:10
> Lesson for all youngsters: don't f*** with LSD. It's one of the most dangerous drugs out there.
---------------------------I must be one of the few people who benefits from LSD. Most of my life is spent in an emotionless, somewhat grey state. LSD, however, can "wake up" my brain to the point that I can really experience joy and am interested in my senses. Things finally seem interesting, and I feel vital and human. An acid trip can break a monthlong period of drab dissociation, and leave me feeling better for weeks or months. I think it's much less harmful than things like cocaine or heroin or ecstacy, which seem to induce a more artificial happiness.
Posted by Roman on September 24, 2002, at 10:44:51
In reply to Re: Times: They Are A-Changin', posted by BrittPark on September 23, 2002, at 23:58:10
> I had the same experience. Twenty years ago I had a really bad trip on what I thought was Mescaline but could well have been LSD or PCP. I semi-recovered by the next morning but never felt right again. I've had chronic agitated depressions ever since. I've always wondered if I suffer from some kind of PTSD from the bad trip.
After experimenting with LSD, I remember feeling like something physically changed in my brain, although I couldn't put my finger on it. Additionally, my self-confidence, ability to concentrate, memory, and motivation all suffered. I knew something was wrong, but didn't want to face the truth since little could be done about it at the time--I just lived with it.
Some of my trips were pretty scary as well--perhaps I too experienced PTSD from them. I know quite a few folks who went through the same sort of thing--heavy price for a carnival ride eh?
In all fairness, tripping had its benefits too. My creative abilities were enhanced and my consciousness was expanded. I wouldn't have become the artist I am without those events.
I guess there're no free rides.
Posted by BrittPark on September 24, 2002, at 12:33:46
In reply to Re: Times: They Are A-Changin' » BrittPark, posted by Roman on September 24, 2002, at 10:44:51
I was too strident in my condemnation of LSD. It may be that 99.9% of people suffer no long lasting bad effects. Up until my really bad trip I'd taken mescaline twice and enjoyed it both times.
So here's my revised advice to youngsters: If your going to take LSD do it with as many friends as possible, have something strongly sedating like valium or an opiate ready to hand in case any of you start to have a "really bad trip". I do not advocate the use of illegal drugs. You might end up in jail or in the hospital because what you thought was just marijuana was laced with PCP.
Posted by manichattan on September 24, 2002, at 15:11:42
In reply to Re: Times: They Are A-Changin', posted by BrittPark on September 24, 2002, at 12:33:46
> I was too strident in my condemnation of LSD. It may be that 99.9% of people suffer no long lasting bad effects. Up until my really bad trip I'd taken mescaline twice and enjoyed it both times.
>
> So here's my revised advice to youngsters: If your going to take LSD do it with as many friends as possible, have something strongly sedating like valium or an opiate ready to hand in case any of you start to have a "really bad trip". I do not advocate the use of illegal drugs. You might end up in jail or in the hospital because what you thought was just marijuana was laced with PCP.
>
>You all are obviously an enlightened group here.
I have my thoughts about the psychedelic experiences,
but I think I need to muse over it more before I post.Except to say that High school did a lot more to bring my mood
disorders out than LSD did.
And LSD did a lot to help the damage that High Schoool did.
That was a long time ago though.Anyway what was I saying..... ;)
Seriously - Thanks for the posts.
-Manichattan
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