Does THC increase or decrease consciousness?

[Clarence]

2 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

Proper inhale is crucial.

For a first experience with THCA, would you advise a full inhale, or a shorter one first to get a feel for it?

How was your very first experience with it?

[Leo Gura]

13 minutes ago, Clarence said:

For a first experience with THCA, would you advise a full inhale, or a shorter one first to get a feel for it?

How was your very first experience with it?

Err on the side of moderation.

My first experience was almost too much.

[Schizophonia]

It turns me into the tiger on the pack of Cheetos so probably lower

[Yimpa]

1 hour ago, Clarence said:

How was your very first experience with it?

1 hour ago, Leo Gura said:

My first experience was almost too much.

Ah yes, 2 deep inhales of a blunt was my introduction to the psychedelic experience. I was completely floored and blown away. It was like God knocked me out. All of physicality flew out the window. But instead of being left unconscious, I was awoken; left utterly conscious and speechless for what seemed like an eternity. 

This was back in 2018. You cannot meditate your way to this experience, indeed. It was an insane degree of consciousness. Do I regret it? Nope. It gave me a proper glimpse of what this work is all about and to acknowledge that there is intelligence far greater than that of a human. Not as a belief, but through direct experience.

Edit: It was a pre-roll, not a blunt. (I’m editing this at 4:20 AM, how iconic!)

Edited yesterday at 09:21 AM by Yimpa

[Leo Gura]

23 minutes ago, Yimpa said:

It was like God knocked me out. All of physicality flew out the window. But instead of being left unconscious, I was awoken; left utterly conscious and speechless for what seemed like an eternity. 

Yup. I know what you mean.

[Clarence]

2 hours ago, Yimpa said:

Ah yes, 2 deep inhales of a blunt was my introduction to the psychedelic experience. I was completely floored and blown away. It was like God knocked me out. All of physicality flew out the window. But instead of being left unconscious, I was awoken; left utterly conscious and speechless for what seemed like an eternity. 

This was back in 2018. You cannot meditate your way to this experience, indeed. It was an insane degree of consciousness. Do I regret it? Nope. It gave me a proper glimpse of what this work is all about and to acknowledge that there is intelligence far greater than that of a human. Not as a belief, but through direct experience.

Edit: It was a pre-roll, not a blunt. (I’m editing this at 4:20 AM, how iconic!)

@Yimpa That was quite an entry into the psychedelic realm!

What other psychedelics have you tried since that first experience?

@Leo Gura Have you ever tried smoking the plant even though you don't like it?

[Leo Gura]

7 hours ago, Clarence said:

Have you ever tried smoking the plant even though you don't like it?

Yes. That's why I don't like it.

Smoking any plant sucks. Pure chemicals are superior.

Edited yesterday at 06:35 PM by Leo Gura

[Yimpa]

5 hours ago, Clarence said:

What other psychedelics have you tried since that first experience?

I’ve only done weed and ketamine.

So depending on how you look at it, I have or have never done psychedelics, since those aren’t traditionally categorized at psychedelics! 

[Clarence]

14 hours ago, Yimpa said:

I’ve only done weed and ketamine.

So depending on how you look at it, I have or have never done psychedelics, since those aren’t traditionally categorized at psychedelics! 

Indeed 

[cistanche_enjoyer]

15 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

Yes. That's why I don't like it.

Smoking any plant sucks. Pure chemicals are superior.

I don't agree with this. The weed plant has lots of other cannabinoids and terpenes that synergize with the THC and make it a better experience.

It's a bit like the reason why eating fruit is healthy but eating pure white sugar is not. In the end, both give you the energy from the same chemical (glucose/fructose), but the fruit comes with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which make it easier for the body to turn the fruit's sugar into energy.

Of course, modern weed strains (i.e., most the stuff you find in the USA) have been bred to produce too much THC and unnatural ratios of cannabinoids and terpenes. Hence why Leo probably had a sub-optimal experience with the plant. But I would bet that if he tried an outdoor grown, non-modern strain, he would have quite a different experience and probably prefer it to the pure THC chemical.

I have tried both and I can definitely say that the plant gives way more depth to the experience. 

[Clarence]

20 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

Yes. That's why I don't like it.

Smoking any plant sucks. Pure chemicals are superior.

Were the effects very similar to pure THCA for you? I don't plan on trying the plant, but I'm curious.

[Leo Gura]

3 hours ago, Clarence said:

Were the effects very similar to pure THCA for you? I don't plan on trying the plant, but I'm curious.

Yes, weed is similar to THC-A.

THC-A + THC-B make for a perfect combo.

You can make your own combos using individual isolated cannabinoids. That is more precise and repeatable without the plant smoke harming your lungs.

You can combine as many cannabinoids as you want. But test each in isolation first.

You can take a puff of THC-A, THC-B, THC-P, THC-V, HHC, etc, to create one deep trip. This is the best technique. This way you can dial in the perfect trip for your needs. And it is repeatable.

Edited 2 hours ago by Leo Gura