I feel that there is a drug-use spectrum. One end of that spectrum would be consuming a particular dose of a given product under the direction of a shaman or therapist. At the other end is a garden variety crack-head. But really--the crack-head could be addicted to any substance. I live somewhere in the middle. I consider myself an alcoholic, and I consider that disgusting. I quit drinking a bit over four years ago. I first enjoyed drinking because of its effects easing social interaction, something with which I, for sure, have difficulties. I've used psychedelics experimentally, responsibly, recreationally and excessively at different times.
I was interested in psychedelic drugs for several years, starting in junior high before I ever took my first dose of mushrooms, and I didn’t smoke pot until after high school. I would read entries in PiHKaL and TiHKaL and find it so interesting that there were, apparently, all these substances that bend perception, reveal alternate realities, or take one on any of a multitude of journeys into the mind. I thought, “there are so many of them, and they’re all different. I have to try as many as I can.” That quickly turned into, “I wonder what happens when I take a lot of this one.” In retrospect, I wouldn’t advise accidentally vaporizing and inhaling 4 bottles of cough syrup worth of DXM, eating the whole sheet, or chewing up that Sweet Breath bottle. But, I would say that experimentation with psychedelics is an awesome way to explore the human perceptive experience.
I grew up going to a Christian church every Sunday. I recall the minister saying frequently that during prayer one should, “be still and listen.” I always had trouble with that. My thoughts would race, and I would get distracted from the task at hand. There were only a very few times that I was able to disconnect from my existence and open my third eye to receive insight. Psychedelics have helped me with this.
I’m not sure that I’ve ever called myself a psychonaut. Actually, I know that I haven’t. I have, in the past, wondered if I was druggie. I think that an interest in exploring the corners of my mind lead to the consumption of a variety of substances. Drugs, in turn, amplified that interest and sparked, at various times, interests in horticulture, chemistry, etc. These give me a really sweet outlet to be as nerdy as I want. I’m pretty sure that being a psychonaut and being a druggie are neither mutually exclusive nor have a causal relationship.
o well time to pack a bowl. You guys rule have a good one.
