Psychedelic Experience

[Cloverjo]

Am I mad to want to go on one of these retreats?
https://www.psychedelicsociety.org.uk/experience-retreats
I’m not a drug taker. I’ve smoked a bit of pot, but didn’t like it much. I’ve had a bit of speed which ended with me in A&E somehow.
I’m intrigued by this and am very tempted.
What do you think? Have you done something similar, and how was it?

[EDDIE51]

No!

[Sqad]

Of course you're mad Clover.......it is a magic mushroom session....HOWEVER if it involves group sex, then count me in.

[Prudie]

Why didn't you like pot and what went wrong with the speed? I ask because I think one has to be of a very relaxed and receptive mind to get a positive experience from psychedelic drugs. I'd be far too uptight, it would terrify me - seeing flashing blue lights after eating too much dope cake years ago put me off for life however I also mixed with a lot of students who were pretty doolally all the time from being LSD users.

[Rosie29]

What do you want to get out of it Clover?

[gness]

Dave was organising this as the AB members Christmas outing, Clover....until I pointed out that we all had to be in good mental and physical health to sign up.............

Looks like it's a Pontin's Festive Break once again....... ;-)

[pastafreak]

Bad pot caused me to miss a surprise appearance by Bob Dylan at a concert many years ago. That put ne off it...

[Mamyalynne]

I already have visual disturbances from an eye condition, so don't need a 'Magic truffle' for those and I didn't enjoy the twice I was spiked with LSD in the 70s much either.

Within a controlled group you should be alright as I'm sure the amounts won't be high, but the prices are.

[Ken4155]

Not for me. Too much emphasis on vegan food and yoga and far too expensive. I can quite easily become 'one with myself' with just a little spliff and some decent early Pink Floyd coming through the cans - 'Ummagumma' or 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn', maybe:-))

[The Builder]

Why not, Jo?
I can imagine the Dutch being so good at this. As long as it's not too "corporate", as with a lot of these in the US. By that I mean, it has to be fun and not po-faced and evangelistic.

Back in the day, these kinds of retreats tended to be loopy affairs, when everyone believed that all you needed to change the world, was a guitar and a sack of brown rice.

This looks as safe as you can get. Not like the old days when mushrooms were tame, and people really wanted acid. I can remember times when some div would do what Mamya was talking about. Spiked drinks, and the severely spaced-out having to be talked down.

Compared to the old hippy days, this is probably quite clinical.

Have a good trip.......... nudge nudge ;o)

[Cloverjo]

I’m sooo tempted. My husband would think I’m deranged.
An article in The Times on Saturday tempted me. Sorry I can’t find a link. The writer seems as cautious as me but had an amazing insight into ‘everything’.

Dope made me more anxious than I am already, and paranoid too. Speed was taken with alcohol and ended badly. It was quite fun before whatever happened happened. Never done it since though.

[The Builder]

That was Emma Duncan in The Times, Jo.

It's no good me putting up a link. It's subscription only.

Speedfreaks were usually a pain in the behind. Awful stuff. Not natural.
Unlike mushrooms. ;o)

[Old_Geezer]

I'm sure it'll be groovy, man.
Sounds clinical and expensive though.

[jourdain2]

No! I was once offered a ciggie with cannabis in it in the early 1970s and refused - and how glad am I that I did!

Just being on your own in a quiet and special place for hours can work wonders. My only experience was keeping a vigil in a church (heated, comfy armchair, nothing weird or religious ) for several hours with nothing to do except be me ( I didn't have to pray or anything). It takes a while, but afterwards you feel very free and refreshed. I would never knowingly take any sort of 'mind-expanding' drug.

[237SJ]

If dope made you anxious and paranoid, how do you know this stuff won't do the same? Seems very expensive too.

[Rosie29]

If you fancy it go for it x

[Patsy33]

Never done any drugs in my life. I should imagine it would be fascinating, if brave enough to do it! If we could know we would not be harmed by this, then I might be tempted myself!

[nailit]

Ive tried a lot of 'things' when I was younger but somehow psychedelics ('shrooms, acid, etc) have always scared me. Think its the feeling of not been in control of what happens once consumed. But if this experience was in a controlled setting then I would definitely go for it. Have always wanted to have a ayahuasca experience (in a controlled setting...).

[naomi24]

For me the question is 'Why?' I've clearly never lived .... but I'm happy with that. At least I can say know what I'm doing.

[shoota]

A strong cup of tea and a walnut whip would do the job just as well.

[woofgang]

My brain is one of the few parts of me that still works more or less as it should. I'd be very loath to monkey with it.