http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/science/12psychedelics.html
about time i would say. what say you? particularly you know who
about time i would say. what say you? particularly you know who
Interesting development. However, given the amazing capacity of the capitalist system to absorb any kind of seemingly emancipatory trend in society and exploit it for its own sustenance I could imagine that a wider mainstream acceptance of hallucinogens may result in a kind of commercialisation and banalization of the psychedelic experience: epiphanies on prescription. The allowance of hallucinogenic drugs may very well be a deliberate measure of social engineering to counter wide-spread depression and unhappiness. It's perfectly practical for the powerholders that now meaning of life may be directly administered by means of pharmaceuticals. It makes perfect sense in its unsurpassable cynicism. Just think of the way everybody is hooked on "soma" in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.
I dunno. I think the spiritual/revelationary aspects of psychedelics are inherently opposed to co-option... Im not sure how you could co-opt the destruction of the ego TBH, and I don't see how increased empathy and connectivity with others can be anything but opposed to capitalism.
I agree with most of what you say there but context matters.Im not sure how you could co-opt the destruction of the ego TBH,
tripped balls
I agree with most of what you say there but context matters.
I think one thing a study like that shows is that it's beneficial to sometimes unhook from habitual modes of experiencing. I was quite interested in those studies a few years ago that showed low doses of Ketamine to be effective in treating stubborn cases of serious depression. I wonder what happened with that. As far as I know they still resort to things like ECT- surely Ketamine (or psilocybin)'s got to be worth a go.
context matters.
Sometimes without even being asked!Remember that, while there were people like Ken Kesey who went around giving LSD away for free
I think one of the things Albert H. was researching when he synthesised LSD-25 was migraine treatments.Mr. Tea said:And on the physical side, low doses of psilocybin and LSD (like, too small even for there to be much of a subjective effect) have been very effective in treating cluster headaches, IIRC.
I think it's great they're taking an interest in it again. In general, it's good to explore the possible benefits of most things and there are certainly benefits to hallucinogens.
Yeah - the natural desire or need to experience oneself as part of a greater whole can be diverted.zhao said:we only have to remember the history of Zen Buddhism and Fascism/Milliatarism in Japan. there the absence of Ego led to not freedom but absolute obedience to authority, beyond good and evil meant doing evil, etc.
But in the case of fascism it's not really absence of ego at all - rather a result of ego projecting it's struggle to maintain an incorrect (delusional) sense of self in the face of vast evidence to the contrary. Sometimes the drama plays itself out on a national scale...