Response to Leo's Stance on avoiding psychedelics if you are too young

[Uddi]

https://actualized.org/insights/hold-off-on-psychedelics-if-youre-young

I wanna say that I fully agree with this. However is micro dosing psilocybin safe at the age of 21 if not done often? Also one of my friends thinks I am misled about psychedelics but when he first took them, he was 18. I have never tripped before but this is what he said:

"They don't give esoteric knowledge. It forces the conscious energy in your brain to take different pathways instead of just the one of least resistance, which causes previously unconnected thought patterns to emerge and from that you gain the experience of looking at things from alternative perspectives than you're unaltered state ignored. After the experience of this you're able to purposely take those paths and build new ways of thought. That's what they mean when they say it "Expands Consciousness""

I think he is pretty wrong also because he did them before any kind of deconstruction or deep inner contemplation and was also not at a safe age to do so.

Also that friend of mine mixed 7-8 of his trips with weed. I wanna know your thoughts @Leo Gura.

[Leo Gura]

2 hours ago, Uddi said:

https://actualized.org/insights/hold-off-on-psychedelics-if-youre-young

I wanna say that I fully agree with this. However is micro dosing psilocybin safe at the age of 21 if not done often?

I don't find micro-dosing useful. But you may be different. Micro-dosing isn't risky, but it also doesn't add much in my opinion, and it opens the door to the temptation of full tripping. Once you have the chemical, it's hard to say no.

Also I don't like the chronic use of any chemical other than legit medicine. It becomes a crutch/addiction.

Quote

"It forces the conscious energy in your brain to take different pathways instead of just the one of least resistance, which causes previously unconnected thought patterns to emerge and from that you gain the experience of looking at things from alternative perspectives than you're unaltered state ignored. After the experience of this you're able to purposely take those paths and build new ways of thought. That's what they mean when they say it "Expands Consciousness""

Sure, it gives the brain new perspectives, but it does more than that. Expanding consciousness is real, it is not just different brain pathways. It's more than that.

Your friend is not wrong per se, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Edited 8 hours ago by Leo Gura

[Uddi]

@Leo Gura True but many universities are really studying psilocybin because it has cured people from depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, enhanced creativity, enhanced intelligence, and much much more. It is also revealed to be non addictive. And before you even started your trips, what inner work did you do? Why in your experience are psychedelics extremely misunderstood and given a bad reputation? I also strongly believe it is from decades of political propaganda pushed by those who want to hoard power and control so less people wake up to who they are.

[Leo Gura]

People are so different that it's hard to give advice that applies to everyone on this issue.

I just wanted to warn youngsters against diving into psychedelics head first and thinking there's no downsides. Consider all the trade-offs and make your own decision as to what is right for you.

By this point I've described all the risks for ya, so you should be well informed of the trade-offs.

Edited 5 hours ago by Leo Gura

[Xonas Pitfall]

Ideally, when you are a youngster, you try it a couple of times to get a glimpse of what is possible. This can hopefully give you more hope, direction, and ambition for your life. You realize you need to get your survival sorted out first, so you can later fully enjoy the richness of consciousness properly.

But obviously, no one can guarantee what will happen once you “get a glimpse” of it . . . Oopsies, now we are all addicts! 

[AtmanIsBrahman]

44 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

By this point I've described all the risks for ya, so you should be well informed of the trade-offs.

What if you want to become a great mystic philosopher? Wouldn’t you want to start young then?

With most things in life, the younger you start, the better your chances of excelling at the thing. Why should consciousness work be any different?

[Xonas Pitfall]

15 minutes ago, AtmanIsBrahman said:

What if you want to become a great mystic philosopher? Wouldn’t you want to start young then?

With most things in life, the younger you start, the better your chances of excelling at the thing. Why should consciousness work be any different?

You can. Just be smart about how you will survive. How will you monetize this? Who will feed you? Do you have a roof over your head? What people will be around you, what community will you have if things go wrong? What if you go insane? Homeless? Leo is basically cautioning against going too far into "airy" abstract thinking when you do not have the life support to practically sustain yourself.

It is much easier to function and work 9-5 when you are not constantly questioning the metaphysics of your walls, the couch you are sitting on, and Alien God Awakening Intelligence! 

It's the same concept of being a Soundcloud rapper.

Quote

What if you want to become a Soundcloud rapper? Wouldn’t you want to start young, then?

With most things in life, the younger you start, the better your chances of excelling at the thing. Why should a Soundcloud rapper's work be any different?

 

Edited 4 hours ago by Xonas Pitfall

[Leo Gura]

59 minutes ago, AtmanIsBrahman said:

What if you want to become a great mystic philosopher? Wouldn’t you want to start young then?

You can break the guidelines if you are serious and know what you're doing.

Those were my general guidelines for a general audience.

A serious mystic is a unique case that breaks many rules.

Edited 3 hours ago by Leo Gura

[felixk_priv]

@Leo Gura what about using them on a regular basis for self help insights for these practical matters you talk about  . For insights awareness and growth , not chasing mystical states ? 

[Leo Gura]

34 minutes ago, felixk_priv said:

@Leo Gura what about using them on a regular basis for self help insights for these practical matters you talk about  . For insights awareness and growth , not chasing mystical states ? 

They are too serious for that purpose in my experience.

But perhaps your experience will vary.

Edited 41 minutes ago by Leo Gura