My first psychedelic experience induced in me epiphanies so profound that I wondered if it was possible to obtain them in my everyday life. This is where my integration process first began — a seed of thought that would later blossom into the physical world.
Einstein explains this scientific phenomenon:
“Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics.”
Months later going into my second psychedelic experience I was prepared to take notes to try and capture the essence of this ineffable dimension (This inspired The Psychedelic Trip Journal).
Psilocybin, a natural psychedelic element found in hundreds of fungi, has been used for thousands of years in medicinal and ceremonial settings. The current popularization of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) brings with it ancient wisdom containing practical life lessons if we’re willing to listen. Here are eleven.
1. How to Change Our Mind
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
Michael Pollan could not have chosen a better title for his book How to Change Your Mind: “What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence.”
Pollan’s book title gives insight into the extraordinary potential of psilocybin and other psychedelics which can help us:
2 years after my first psychedelic experience, in 2012, I traveled to Venezuela on a mission trip. Up to that point I had only taken magic mushrooms 3 or 4 times.
I’ve never craved psychedelics. I’ve always appreciated them with a deep reverence after my first experience.
Anyway, looking through photo memories, I can see my charisma and trusting presence. I wonder if psilocybin makes us more of who we are? But do believe that it can awaken the Soul.
As I’ve gotten older, some of my trusting presence has faded or hidden. I think it’s still within me. Many people have mistaken my carefree presence as naive and weak, but now that it’s not as strong within me, I realize this was a strength.
I didn’t need or use any drugs during this trip. I really was high on life, and have been high on life much of my life. I had little to no anxiety, no worries, just carrying a deep trust I had for life, God, the Universe, which my psychedelic experiences made complete. I understood that everything in life was unfolding perfectly, trusting it without a doubt, which I believe is what allowed me to live so completely in the present moment, overflowing with life.
I was in a state of trust, and would like to practice trusting life again. I think as we age and experience inevitable moments of suffering, we trust less, we’re in our heads more, we miss out on joys otherwise to be had today – holding onto pains of our past or worries of our future. It’s not easy.
My once in a blue moon psychedelic experiences often return me to that state of trusting presence. My hope is that it can do the same for others, and that we can carry some of that trust into our daily lives.
I know several factors impact the experience – that the psychedelic experience is unique to the individual. Maybe the experience brings out more of who we already are, but maybe it can do more than that with the addition of a spiritual practice, or other practices. The presence of genuinely supportive people makes a difference.
I see this in reflection as I’m currently not in the all-around great shape I had been in most of my life, and not just physical shape but mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and financial — I’m still paying student loans but at the time it felt like free money. Haha.
Life is constantly changing. I’m not in the ideal shape I used to be in, but I’m happy with who I am and where I’m currently at. I accept myself, (I try to!), as I simultaneously (try to) take actions toward a more ideal future. Imperfect progress is a way toward progress, and I do imagine a better future, although 2020 hasn’t made it easy.
I hope you and yours are well.
I know that psilocybin alone isn’t the answer, though it is nice hearing about its decriminalizations and medicinal legalizations. I think it will help many people in the long run.
1—There are different strands of magic mushrooms. Since it’s mostly illegal, you will likely not know how strong the mushrooms you have are, and what effects they might have. So it’s best to begin with a low dose.
I prefer higher doses, but for microdosing begin with .1 or .2 grams. You most likely won’t feel anything. Even at half a gram you might not feel anything. So begin low, then go from there.
If you don’t want to feel anything, continue with the .1 or .2 grams. If you want to feel some effects, go to 1 gram, and if you want the whole experience, take 3.5 or more grams.
Remember, each person reacts different to psilocybin. If you are taking other medicine, your medicine may effect your trip — whether it makes you not feel anything, or makes you feel something different, it just depends.
Safe bet is to begin with a small amount and go from there.
Anyway I think psychedelics are basically harmless. For me, they have been more than harmless. They have been extremely beneficial, helping me come to accept parts of myself I didn’t like before, increasing my self-awareness, raising my critical thinking skills, and deepening my spirituality.
The education system, and maybe family members, have taught you and I that “All drugs are bad, mmkay”, but that’s not true!!! Some drugs are bad, but some drugs are better than good, like psilocybin.
You might not feel some of the awesome effects of psilocybin if you are microdosing, but if that’s what you want, start with a small amount and then go from there. I’m excited for you.
Part One prepares you for foreseen factors, protecting you from a bad trip and preparing you for an optimal experience.
Part Two is filled with activities to help ground yourself and enhance your experience. If you’re having a bad trip this section helps shift your focus. If you’re having a good trip this section gets you more in the zone of the present moment — being completely here now.
Part Three is a section of reflection. A place to write and draw what you experienced throughout your psychedelic journey.
GOLDEN TEACHERS Strain Type: Psilocybe Cubensis Source: Mycolabs @myco_labs_canada
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One thing I really love about this strain is how it really does have the ability to teach. We all have things within us that we need to work on. Things we keep hidden from others and sometimes hidden from ourselves. Many times it’s easy to just ignore it and hope it goes away or gets better. Golden Teachers will bring it to the surface and make you face it. Being removed from yourself. Your “paradoxical” self is very liberating, educational and can also be very painful. Especially if you’re not in touch with yourself. Your self image more likely than not, is false. We are never the person we think we are. Nor can we ever be that person. At least these will teach us how to come to terms with that.
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I find the taste of these to be fairly mild. It’s like a sweet almond with a bit of earthy aftertaste. The effects both the physical and psychologically could be felt within the first 30 mins. My legs felt jelly like. My hands were tingling with pins and needles. This sensation continued on. Which made walking feel like I was wearing snow boots two sizes too big. My hands were frozen. My face flush and my mouth was pretty much numb. My mood however was completely relaxed, carefree and childlike.
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There is a continuous high but its intensity comes in waves leading up to the peak. What I like to call “waves of deception.” The reason I give them such a name is the deceptive nature of these waves. One moment bliss, total clarity of mind and peace. The next moment will turn the other way. In comes darkness my old friend. Both equally parts of your psyche. Now you can see things from a different perspective. All your issues you have been dealing with rearrange in your head. All colors are sharp and crisp. Natures elements of wind and rain seem to come alive in a new birth. Like seeing them for the first time. Then the other side of the wave hits. The dark side. The undertow trying to pull you down into the abyss of your indecision, regrets, hurts, anxieties and fears. Be brave this is just a wave. It too shall pass. Let the water heal you. Smooth sailing will come again.
(This Is Intended For Viewing Purposes Only. Everything Seen Is For Medical Purposes. All Photos & Videos Are From My Personal Collection. No Sales.)
We all react in different ways to just about everything. Some people have allergies, some don’t. Some people love horror movies, some don’t. Some people love nature, some don’t.
Our bodies and personalities react to what we ingest AND what is outside of us – our environment impacts us.
This post is about your personality though, what is within you.
If you have had or currently have mental health issues, psilocybin might help.
It also might not help, so if you’re afraid of having the dreaded bad trip, make sure to prepare yourself as much as possible for a good one. -Set Intentions -Pray -Prepare environment -Prepare your mindset
It can also help to trip with someone you trust.
After taking shrooms for the first time I thought everyone in the world should take them, seriously. But then as I got older I observed a number of different psychedelic experiences, and saw the range of experiences vary from person to person.
They are awesome for me, and others, and might not be for you, but if you never try, you’ll never know.
