Hello there,

before I start my rambling I'd like to say that i'm pretty much new to this forum (my first post hee hee), so, hello all^^. Anyhow, noticing the general interest and wonder concerning expanding one's consciousness through psycho-tropic sub-stances...hmm I think i might have some experience to share and maybe some thoughts that might help those who are experimenting with these things themselves.

I am neither a chemist, biologists, or whatever. I do, on the contrary, have a (hopefully) relatively clear and critical mind which helped me analyze and ponder on the effects that psycho substances that i have experimented with have had on me.

So lets begin, shall we?


Q 1. So, you're saying that I should go into the forest, pick the most colorful mushroom, eat it and i'll be near enlightenment?

A 1. Nope. Apparently the known psycho plants contain certain elements that somehow allow for your brain/consciousness to percieve the world around you on a different level, from a different perspective, or all together in a different way. I dont have any idea why and how those elements trigger certain (probably chemical) processes in brain that allow for "consciousness expansion", and I doubt that anyone does. I'm quite positive that if you pick the most colorful shroom in the forest you'll be enlightened, but probably wont be able to tell your friends about it later. So if you really have to or curiosity just wont let you go, take well-known substances in a controlled environment (preferrably with a sober friend near you to watch you) and make sure you dont have a heart condition or something.


Q 2. I still wanna know how come I get expanded perception by eating a plant.

A 2. Hmm...well undoubtedly all of these substances affect central nervous system very very, very very, very very strongly (even if it may not seem so to you). Since the central nervous system is actually our "sensor array" which sends signals to the brain to interpret them, the effects that those substances have on it probably modify it to an extent that it allows for a different way of perception.

Q 3. What do you mean?

A 3. Picture yourself a radar device on top of a mountain. In it's current state it will allow for detection of metal objects in a certain radius, a techinician might come by though, and add to this radar the ability to detect non-metal objects as well. That is expanded perception. What was previously invisible to him suddenly comes into his view.

Q 4. Great so I go eat something exotic and i'll be able to see things with my expanded perception? Huzzah!

A 4. Well...kinda..now picture the mentioned technician as your brain. He is sitting behind the radar console watching all the glowing dots and he has to make some sense out of them. Suddenly he is not only facing metal objects but he is aware that there are other objects in his view as well. But to him they all look the same on his console and they are mangled and mingled amongst eachother. How can he differ them from one another? True, the device has been modified (nervous system), but how will the observer (mind/brain) react and interpret inbound signals? The poor technician is *not used* to seeing more than what he expects to see and it will take some time and experience for him to be able to make something out of the mess on the screen again.


Or, simply put; Will YOU be able to keep a CLEAR and CRITICAL mind when under effects of such substances?

IMPORTANT: When you take a strong substance it may well do with you as it pleases. It can very well throw you into your deepest fears or pains. When you will come to yourself the next day you just might think of it that you have had an experience that actually matters and it may cause irreparable damage to your charachter, nerves and all around feelings.

On the other hand, you might have a most pleasant journey through dream worlds and your imagination, which will make you even more eager to accept those visions as truth or enlightenment, even if they are not, or you will simply misinterpret the messages recieved.

Be extremely critical of yourself when pondering on the experience you have had under effects of these substances!!!!!1111111111111!

Drugs are more powerful than any human's will is at the moment, that is why we get addicted to some. And none of us is Buddha, to be able to stoically eat a muhsroom for breakfast, cactus for lunch and a painkiller for dinner and still have a calm night, sleep tight. And It is not merely a question of how they will affect your body, but also a question of how they will affect your mind. Are you ready?

True...if i actually thought of that before i experimented myself i'd never tried anything...still...KEEP IT IN MIND! it helps when dealing with possible negative psychological effects of psycho subs!


Q 4. How do you know you have actually had "real" experiences and how do you know that these substances dont just "mess with your brain"?

A 4. Who? Me? Hmm...well I was lucky enough to achieve a much clearer and actually "enlightening" expanded consciousness experience without use of such substances, so I was able to compare the two "feelings". I would say that the very basis of the feeling is identical. You actually do "feel your consciousness expanding", you actually feel "awareness growing" if you are more or less still in the area of critical thinking when the effects take place. If you are not it's just magical...or hellish...experience. Thats when your body and sub-consciousness take over and throw poor little you back and forth however they please. In that case it's *very* important to face these effects the next day with a calm, reasonable attitude. That is NOT "zomg i'm going to hell i'm going to hell!!" You are NOT going to hell even if in your visions you actually went to hell. Maybe you have been forced to face your deepest fears but thats all there is to it. Dont let it get to you.


Q 5. But still...

A 5.

Well there's some issues to be discussed here. First is, how do I know that the effects the substance had on my nerves didnt just allow them for DISTORTION of inbound signals rather than EXPANSION or more sensitivity?
Well, as far as drugs go...i'd say both. Why? Simply because in my opinion experiences achieved without use of substances allow for a clear and critical mind to be awake all the time. Upon taking drugs tids and bits of sub-consciousness (i hate this word) mingle and mangle with tids and bits from the real outside environment and all of that mingles and mangles with your cornered little reason.


Con-clusion.

All In all psycho subs allow for a much more faster and probably equally or even more powerful experience than years and years of tedious meditation, but all in all there have been few creatures walking this earth that were able to cope with the effects and remained in hold of themselves during those effects.

No, staying consciouss or semi-consciouss and exploring the wonders with your new perception does not automatically account for you being able to actually properly interpret those experiences or even understand what they are.

From my experience enlightenment through drugs come more in terms of insights, intuition, bolts of sudden expanded awareness (shamanism comes strongly to my mind here), and it is extremely hard to differ those that actually are meaningful and those who are a by-product of your imagination or sub-consciouss feelings.


i dont wanna write anymore i'm a lazy person, i would, on contrary, appreciate your replies, corrections, your own experiences and even flaming^;P