Substances

[Markus]

I do notice that with certain strains of weed, my inner monologue will bust into double time. If I'm by myself and not in a good head space, this can quickly spiral into a "bad trip". Having experimented with heavier psychedelics like mushrooms and LSD, I have seen how reality is really all in our minds. If you start thinking bad thoughts, you're going to have a bad experience. Think good thoughts, you'll feel good feelings and have a good experience. It's all relative to our perspective. Lately I have been not enjoying the hyperactive inner monologue that some strains bring and have been opting for "CBD" weed, which are stains high in CBD (the compound responsible for killing pain) but low in THC (the compound that gets you high). Since I live in Oregon, I can go to a dispensary and see the chemical breakdown of what I'm buying. This is the opposite of alcohol which seems to induce less thinking, which can sometimes be a good thing too in my opinion. But getting lost in your mind is never fun. I also find that weed can make being present difficult sometimes. It's easy for your mind to wander off into the future or past too much. Ultimately I think substances can teach us a lot if used correctly but they often become escapes. I also think that some people like artists are more sensitive than others and sometimes need the veil of substance to help them live in this plane of reality. We are so sensitive to the energy around us and we are given this task of going into the Cosmic consciousness and bringing back glimpses of ultimate truth to this world. It's a lot to handle and that's why there is a fine line between creative genius and insanity. God knows the American songbook would be nothing if it weren't for drugs, alcohol and addiction. That doesn't mean it's the right thing to do, but I do think it's an observable fact. I would also say as far as sleeping, again it depends on the strain. Indica strains make you sleepy, Sativas strains make you hyper. So smoking a Sativas before bed would not be a good idea. Again, this is one of the beauties of legalization. Before you were just at the mercy of your dealer and whatever strain they happen to have that week. Now you can go into a state liscensed store and pick exactly what kind of high you are looking for. I have friends who smoke Sativa CDB weed in the morning and throughout the day and then switch to heavier indicas at night to help them sleep. But again, unless you live in a state with medical or full legalization, it can be hard to know the true chemical breakdown if whatever strain your buying.

Medical MJ is legal in my state, I asked my Dr. about and he gave me a speech abouthow there is more red tape involved with prescribing that sometimes than pain meds like opiods,I'm going to be searching for as new Dr. soon. I like him so I'm not burning any bridges, but,I would try medical mj in heartbeat if he would have said yes.

 

[Laughalot]

I do notice that with certain strains of weed, my inner monologue will bust into double time. If I'm by myself and not in a good head space, this can quickly spiral into a "bad trip". Having experimented with heavier psychedelics like mushrooms and LSD, I have seen how reality is really all in our minds. If you start thinking bad thoughts, you're going to have a bad experience. Think good thoughts, you'll feel good feelings and have a good experience. It's all relative to our perspective.....

..... But getting lost in your mind is never fun. I also find that weed can make being present difficult sometimes. It's easy for your mind to wander off into the future or past too much. Ultimately I think substances can teach us a lot if used correctly but they often become escapes.

I like what you wrote about "reality is really all in our minds." Our experience is totally subjective, and drugs alter the nature of that subjectivity. I spoke with Dr. Schechter recently about anxiety, which is often comorbid with TMS. He mentioned that if anxiety is severe enough, it can be difficult to properly treat TMS symptoms, and that sometimes a very mild anti-depressant or other drug can be helpful for relieving the anxiety symptoms enough for TMS treatment to work.

BamBam, have you ever tried experimenting with edibles for a more sustained and less intense experience? I've heard that as long as it's taken in controlled doses, edibles can leave people much more functional. What you're talking about with the positive/negative mind-state, I really get that. In college I had some great, fun experiences with MJ. Lately though, every experience has been an anxiety-filled, stuck-in-my-head feeling, which is really just an exacerbated form of what I already feel semi-regularly.

 

[Laughalot]

I don't think marijuana is a cure for anxiety, insomnia etc, if anything it heightens ones senses. So if you are feeling negative or anxious and take it, the come down could be far worse. Similarly, if you are very calm and use it, it will make you more relaxed. Substances effect different people in different ways.

I've also known a few people who were very intelligent, but as a result of long term use they became very reclusive, withdrawn and paranoid. I've also read that some have developed schizophrenia from long term use.

I have a lot of friends who smoke (the joys of living in California) and most regular users seem to fall in two categories. There are those who wake up, get baked, and keep baking all day. And those guys are reclusive, watch a lot of TV, and while they're very intelligent seem to be stuck.

Then there's a group who are social in their use. They still smoke a lot, but they typically seek out social settings in which to do it. Like going outside for a smoke break, and talking to people while they do it. Or getting baked and watching a movie or playing guitar with a group of friends.

That's just my experience, I'm sure there're as many different kinds of MJ users as there are leaves on the tree.

 

[beachgirl]

Hi Bam, Bam hope you're doing well amidst all the stuff you mentioned going on. I think the more bad crap that keeps getting heaped at me the more I have my symptoms. I cling on to the hope that amidst all the ridiculous bullshit that has happened to me in the last few years if I could just get rid of my symptoms I would be happy. As bad as everything has been, if I could have that one thing, just that one damn the thing, being healthy and all this horrible symptoms gone I would be happy. And since that may be the one thing I can control I try to have hope. Just that one thing. To be done with this and be all better. Her's hoping.

 

[riv44]

I'm not going to weigh in because I don't want to give any semblance of giving professional advice, even if you don't exactly know me. Take a look at some Harm Reduction and Moderation Management pages. 12-step has a lot of clout, but there are many roads.