Setting - Preoccupied about religion... Trouble for use?

[thedeepsleep]

So someone from swim's class recently approached her and asked if she would want to take lsd with some people from school. Swim has been looking into trying it recently and reading extensively on the subject. Swim's question is, is a preoccupation with religion a problem for first-time use? Swim is not currently affiliated with a religion, but has been thinking about it lately, and has noticed she usually dwells on it for a period of time when she smokes pot now. Although after the experience, she usually forgets what her train of thought was...

Anyway, swim was wondering if such a preoccupation could precipitate a bad trip. Or perhaps that could make it more insightful? All thoughts appreciated. :)

[trptamene]

Originally Posted by thedeepsleep

So someone from swim's class recently approached her and asked if she would want to take lsd with some people from school. Swim has been looking into trying it recently and reading extensively on the subject. Swim's question is, is a preoccupation with religion a problem for first-time use? Swim is not currently affiliated with a religion, but has been thinking about it lately, and has noticed she usually dwells on it for a period of time when she smokes pot now. Although after the experience, she usually forgets what her train of thought was...

Anyway, swim was wondering if such a preoccupation could precipitate a bad trip. Or perhaps that could make it more insightful? All thoughts appreciated.

Psychedelics can be unpredictable...but I'm positive many a person has found religion on these drugs. Does one have negative feelings about religion, when one dwells on this do the thoughts turn negative?

In general preoccupation on a single subject could cause potential problems and should surely be thought about before embarking on the psychedelic-catalyzed journey.

This is why it is not a good idea to trip unless one has rather extensive experience when going through major changes in ones life like beginning or ending intimate or other close relationships, making changes such as job or residence, or if one starts to question their core values such as religion or ethical questions.

Swim has put his psychedelic journeys on hold for several months now due to relations with his sig other changing and the exact nature of that relationship becoming kind of fuzzy.

[thedeepsleep]

When she thinks about religion, it's not really in a negative sense... More contemplative, like whether or not she really believes in it and wants it in her life. Unfortunately she usually ends up going in circles and doesn't come to a difinitive answer. Her thoughts can turn a little sour when thinking about the negative spectrum of it - demons etc., which she could definitely see as posing a problem with lsd. The other factor is she has a slight general paranoia about drug-induced psychosis because of a supposed history of mental illness in the family.

Psychedelics can be unpredictable...but I'm positive many a person has found religion on these drugs.

Do you happen to know if these people continued to use after they found religion? I would be interested to know how finding religion affected their view on drugs.

[sweetsweetmary]

The other factor is she has a slight general paranoia about drug-induced psychosis because of a supposed history of mental illness in the family.


If SWIY has mental illness in family, SWIM doesn't recommend psychadelics. It can surface that mental illness prematurely and cause distress.

[trptamene]

I have no reason to believe their psychedelic voyages discontinued after finding religion, but it should be noted this are likely not your typical western religions found...many a time they do not correlate to any sacred organization but are rather the person finding their own truth in life and their own religon.

The fact that drugs may have a negative view in light of religion is more of a societal cause than the religions actually claiming drug use is bad. There are marijuana references scattered throughout the bible and other drug references in sacred texts.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good considerations

[Nature Boy]

Irrationality and psychedelics are a potentially dangerous combination. Religious contemplation is fine but do not allow it to interfere with the interpretation and mechanism of LSD's effects. Is this preoccupation causing distress? If not, it should be ok granted set, setting and a level of research have all been taken care of.

[thedeepsleep]

Religious contemplation is fine but do not allow it to interfere with the interpretation and mechanism of LSD's effects.

Could you elaborate on that a little? Thinking about it hasn't caused any distress or anxiety, just noticed it takes up more thought than it used to. Thanks for the insight.

[Nature Boy]

A lot of people get some crazy ideas when they're using LSD. It's an amazing tool for self-discovery but it is important to keep some bit of a rational head when under its effects. Superstitious types run the risk of getting carried away with certain ideas they encounter during the trip. We've heard the horror stories.

Generally I feel that LSD is relatively safe but it's not something that should be under-estimated by any stretch of the imagination.

[Metomni]

SWIM would recommend trying a low dosage. Since SWIY's thoughts while under the influence of other drugs are more contemplative than anything else SWIM thinks that is a good mindset while on a mild LSD experience. If that contemplativeness was actually worry or some sort of anxiety, then yes, it would most likely be a poor decision.

Just keep in mind that SWIY should afford the same respect for the drug as they would were they expecting a bad trip, simply because it will be a good/happy/enlightening experience doesn't mean SWIY shouldn't meditate and take the proper precautions beforehand in preparing one's mind.

Good luck!

[Heretic.Ape.]

Labmonkey has had several very positive spiritual experiences that reshaped his views toward a rather mystical vein. Mysticism can be found within every religion but is usually like the weird cousin who isn't invited for christmas His advise would be to approach it with an attitude where if you happen to meet God you're ready for it to be nothing like anything you could expect, and, more importantly, something you can laugh with.

[imyourlittlebare]

Swim believed in God due to opiates. Swim believed that that was a touch of Gods grace and tranquility. However, swim recently found out that it was the antichrist who put his mark on swim. Swim suffered, died, and was buried. On the 7th day he rose again in fulfillment of scriptures (the literature on withdrawal). After that, swim ascended into heaven and was seated in the right hand of the father....again only to find out he was in hell again. Swim suffered, died and was buried and found salvation (suboxone). Now swim realizes he is jesus.

For real though. swim used to think that God had to be real because opiates felt so good and since swim didnt used to belive in feelings that strong he knew while he was high that god had to be there.

[zera]

Swims an athiest. He doesn't think about religion at all on psychedelics. He understands how some people could get into religion while tripping, swim tends to think about "the big picture" and depending on your worldview religion could be an important part of that.

But for swim the overriding intellectual motif of his trips tends to be complexity. To that extent he gets even less religious and superstitious than his normal hyper-rationalist self.

[MrG]

If SWIY really wants to get into deep contemplation about all serious religions then they should not forget about Pastafarianism.

Many people are yet to fully appreciate the sheer enormity of the FSM and exactly what impact He can have on their lives.

Believe me, for I have spent many navel gazing years in introspection and can honestly, and without doubt inform you now that Pastafarianism is just as valid a religion as *any* of the mainstream big boys.

I shit you not.

Besides which the FSM won't cast you into hell for harmless recreational use of mind altering substances.

May you be touched by his noodly appendage.

RAmen.

[Nature Boy]

Pfft! Flying Spaghetti Monsters. Don't you know we're all being controlled by a tiny celestial teapot between the Earth and Mars, only it's so small none of us will ever see it? I thought that was common knowledge.

[enquirewithin]

I thought we were all teapot atheists?

The Hodge will ascend and the Podge descend in the eternal cosmic hodgepodge (or is it the other way round?)

[WrtngCocaineTutorial]

If SWIY decides tn go for it, and is scared of a possible bad trip, than having a fast acting benzo nearby would be a good idea

[WrtngCocaineTutorial]

please tell about this mental illness SWIY has had in the family.

[thedeepsleep]

Hey, thank you for all of the responses.

WrtngCocaineTutorial - That swim knows of, schizophrenia runs in her family (on her mom's side). Currently, one of swim's mother's cousins and swim's mother's great aunts has schizophrenia, although her great aunt is functional, has a husband, etc. Her cousin's case is worse, but swim does not know exactly how bad it is.

[chrisn]

Good that those are at least a few connections away, but still I don't think it would be safe to recommend any psychedelic to SWIY, psychedelics are often able to trigger a latent schizophrenia condition.

[WrtngCocaineTutorial]

Originally Posted by chrisn

Good that those are at least a few connections away, but still I don't think it would be safe to recommend any psychedelic to SWIY, psychedelics are often able to trigger a latent schizophrenia condition.

know where to read more about this?


SWIM has 2 with mental problems in the family. grandma + granduncle. But both are from depression and not schizophrenia ..

and a uncle which might have some tendencies against schizophrenia, although it could really be something else too.

[thedeepsleep]

Originally Posted by chrisn

Good that those are at least a few connections away, but still I don't think it would be safe to recommend any psychedelic to SWIY, psychedelics are often able to trigger a latent schizophrenia condition.

Yes that's what swim is quite afraid of... Although the percentages of psychosis are the same between the general population and acid users, swim's therapist made the point that swim is not part of the gen pop due to her family history... Swm isn't sure if she can quell her curiosity, although it is a lot at stake. Swim likes her brain the way it is. Is there a safer alternative that anyone knows of?

[Zaprenz]

Well if SWIY does decide to embark at least make sure the important things are under control first.

• Be with Good company, people that can really be trusted
• Nice environment, sunny day perhaps, somewhere where paranoia can't start creeping up. (a common paranoia is "they know we are on LSD" - especially in public places or where people can walk past).
• Make sure the mind is in a comfortable place before one starts. Doesn't have to be ecstatic but not miserable, unhappy or with any problems looming.
• Plan the day, the trip will be long so have some timeframe in mind & how long needed for recovery. (don't rely on going to work the next day)
• Expect the unexpected & possibly try low dose first.

but ultimately if you still have concerns, worries or don't feel the above are all satisfied don't do it, no one should be forcing you. SWIM is unsure what thoughts are on SWIYS mind but they sound important. The decision to take such substances in that condition shouldn't be taken lightly.

[thedeepsleep]

Thanks for the tip, Zaprenz. I forgot to mention I have experimented with salvia with absolutely no problem; does that mean anything when dealing with acid? Or are they too different to really compare?

[WrtngCocaineTutorial]

a mother's great aunt.. Hmm. She must have like somewhere around five percent of swiy's genes.. But you say "swiy's therapist says".. Can i ask why swhy has a theraphist?

[Pino]

Swim is an agnost and he thinks about religion on psychedelics. It is an interesting subject. But he doesn't get affiliated with one. He just isn't a good believer and he will never be. He isn't afraid of it. He tried to, but it just doesn't work. He likes to flirt with it now. Especially the pagan types. If one isn't searching for a believe, psychedelics wont change that.

But if one is, it can change a lot. Sometimes psychedelics sets off a change in swim he was planning for.

The trips with religion as theme are quite difficult for swim, but also have positive sides. Religions are really polarized. We have a good side and there is an evil side. There is nothing in between. Well of course there is a gradation in evilness and goodness, but there is nothing besides these categories. Swims trips about religions are always investigating that 'nothingness' in between. Here lays swims interests in religion. Such a trip is really satisfying. It gives him food for thought for weeks. He discovered many nothingnesses. Critics, who point out both sides aren't really good for humanity. The silent observer, who hasn't any deeper knowledge about the players, but just see how they move. A third category, which uses both sides in there advantages -the most intriguing, players of the game, who evade the rules. The darkest and strongest evil of them all. But they don't group up. Or play by the rules, but have their own set of rules and goals (playing meta games). - Etc.

Sometimes in his trips Good and Evil seems to take vengeance on him at the same time. (In mental ways and with dissociatives in bodily -or what counts as ones body at such a moment- ways). That is certainly no fun, but it is insightful.