Comment by golergka | Hacker News Reader

Comment by golergka | Hacker News Reader

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> i generally consider myself an enemy of psychedelic advocates, because I think they want to make it effectively socially mandatory to do these drugs, which is really bad. > ("sure, it's your choice what you put in your body, but a really enlightened person wouldn't be so frightened and closed-minded that they don't want to see what psychedelics can show them...")

I'm sorry WHAT? I've been to many open airs and other events where MOST of the people around have been under the effect of psychedelic and in other drug-friendly places, and I have never hear manipulative shit like that ever. On the contrary, if I heard people talk about this drugs it was always "it worked for me but might be a bad experience for you", "be safe, don't take it if you're not sure" and "you can always have a great time here completely sober".

i think that "we all want to get high on drugs" situations, like festivals, are actually a lot better. it's about personal choice.

when i talk about psychedelic advocates, i mean the people who think that widespread use of psychedelic drugs would massively improve mental health, make people more productive and happier, etc.

Confusing a minority of fringe members with the reasonable group of "psychedelic advocates" as a whole just delegitimizes the whole movement. There will always be some who take reasonable ideas to absurd extremes.

As a point of comparison: "social drinking advocates" vs. those who like to get blackout drunk every night.

The idea that everyone should be pressured into taking psychedelics is an absurd extreme. Psychedelics can be a powerful catalyst to growing as a person, but they're not a magic potion that makes you grow emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually.

They're likely going to bring your unprocessed ideas and personal issues to the forefront which can be very productive if you want to face them. But those who carry around demons that they've repressed and absolutely don't want to face would probably have a terrible time on psychedelics.

yes agree, and also underlying medical conditions, brain chemistry, long lists of who knows what..

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