Real chemical "imbalance" investigations...

Mental illness is often attributed to "chemical imbalances" in the brain. That may be true, but your psychiatrist probably doesn't know crap about what can "correct" these imbalances. I've had some interesting progress on this topic that I'd like to share.

I've been getting myself educated on neurotransmitters and how serotonin and dopamine work in the brain. Some parts produce, others absorb, and then there are ways to manipulate both via things like antagonists etc. Very cool stuff to read. It is amazing how many things can affect brain chemistry - both lifestyle and chemicals that we can take. For lifesyle changes, I have a good handle on things. As for taking chemicals, I am learning a lot right now.

I have been reading scientific articles on the use of psychadilic substances, mostly DMT, for treating mental illness. It is fascinating stuff. I can't believe more people don't know that there is a major revival in the scientific community on these forms of treatment. About 6 years ago LSD was brought back into clinical studies and DMT studies seem to have started to ramp up over the past few years. The crazy part is that the experiences described by DMT users involve "outside" help with realizing how to deal with their mental problems. These people describe a direct connection to a greater reality which can significantly add to thier perspectives on what is ultimately real.

*edited out portion by Mod*

By the way, DMT is naturally produced in your brain, so there it is not testable and it is processed by your body naturally so there are no flashbacks or residues that stay with you for more than a day. Also a fun fact - DMT naturally occurs in small quantities in a vast amount of plant species around the planet.

let us know how your pet dinosaur goes with the DMT....I know smoking it is good do you know the oral method needs another substance so the DMT isn't destroyed in the gut?

Disclaimer: If you are going to try substances it is important to clear this with your Dr. and also to make sure you are not breaking any laws in taking them.

share some DMT with your psychiatrist, they need to learn about the consciousness really bad

I am extremly doubtful that my doc would ever be able or willing to prescribe DMT. That's illegal, so swim ain't going to talk to a doc about that.

Yes, I do know that oral ingestion requires MAOI containing substances, e.g. Syrian Rue...

Many chemicals contained in all medications that doctors prescribe affect serotonin related processes in the brain. Doctors have almost no idea about what is going on, but they'd love for you to belive that they do. All they know for sure is how to keep their jobs.

I am not advocating taking illegal drugs and I'm not telling anyone not to consider using specific ones. I am advocating that doctors are far behind advanced lay people.

I have read somewhere that ayuhusca users have greater density of serotonin receptors

agree that doctors have little idea about what is really going on with the brain and mind and the effects of the drugs and people are taught that they do, its annoying telling people about how lousy psychiatrists are and they assume they should know more then me....they ignore people having altered states of consciousness and talking through problems and learning about what its all about.

@Razael - yep - I agree that psychiatry should pay more attention to altered states of consciousness. Many of them seem convinced that substances such as DMT are recreational or induce completely false visions. Swim's (Someone Who Isn't Me) use of DMT was like stepping through a door into a totally different way of viewing reality, but from a place that seemed a lot more real than what we usually consider "reality". What is most shocking was how fast all of the effects were gone - there was no residual - you are either there or here.

As I recently commented on a related thread, it is easy to see why shamans train for years to prepare for such an experience. It is a truly spiritual thing that is NOT to be taken lightly. There is no substitute for training. I am convinced that mental disorder induced psychotic episodes helped prepare swim's mind for such an experience, but such experience would have been incomplete if not for sustained meditation work to increase stability in other realms.

By the way, all the things I read about shamanism make much more sense now. I also want to say that swim is not terrribly eager to make such journeys often. Swim found it incredibly enlightening, but not easy.

Ian Reynir wrote:By the way, all the things I read about shamanism make much more sense now. I also want to say that swim is not terrribly eager to make such journeys often. Swim found it incredibly enlightening, but not easy.

I'm interested in this stuff. Could you elaborate on what you wrote above? Particularly what you mean by "not easy". I don't want to go through all the trouble of studying and finding a gram of this stuff if the trip ultimately fails due to lack of discipline or bad luck or whatever.

mctps wrote:I'm interested in this stuff. Could you elaborate on what you wrote above? Particularly what you mean by "not easy". I don't want to go through all the trouble of studying and finding a gram of this stuff if the trip ultimately fails due to lack of discipline or bad luck or whatever.

Great advice by Terrence Mckenna: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjpCKZ7cEoY

I highly recommend that you see other vids by Terrence. For a general overview that really helped me, I strongly suggest watching "DMT: the spirit molecule" which is a documentary that you can find on Netflix or youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qep-DefDC7c

As far as "not easy", all I can say is to be real with yourself and make sure you are in a very balanced mood if you decide to take DMT. It helps to have a sitter to make sure everything stays on track. It is not a recreational drug. It requires that you pay attention to your experience. As Terrance explains, things will go sideways or negative at some point. It helps a lot to pay attention to what he says about dealing with that. This substance does not seem to affect mood or your mindfulness - you are you - you're just not in this dimension anymore. It is so different from our common reality that it cannot be put into words. It is hard not to be in awe, but it is best to resist temptation/distraction.

*Edited by Mod for inappropriate drug substance instructions.

I've only had one experience on DMT and all I can say is it is very scary or freaky and lots of people are too freaked out to find any enjoyment of it, especially recreationally ....smoking it is intense but short lived is probably a better option for most instead of potentially getting yourslef into trouble with oral injestion, worried family or friends etc I never eaten it but heard from someone that it was too much.

after I recovered I sure felt nothing residual but my eyes were open and felt healed of some emotional stuff and greif, had an awesome night after the hit and socialised very well.

the hit felt familiar and only describe it like you are dieing, have to remember to breath and $#%^, can't describe the experience very well but sore things in the clouds and sense of wonder.