Drugs?

Neuropedia said:
honestly the best thing for anxiety is just facing it head on. It gets better I promise. If you start dealing with it by using drugs you're probably just going to make your psychological landscape much more complex, and more difficult to handle sober, if only by relative state of mind. I've found even depressant drugs can make my anxieties worse at time because I have alot memories that I suppress on a day-to-day basis, or don't remember at all. Using drugs tends to bring those up for me.

If you're going to use drugs, I've heard that the prescription ones are highly addictive, and I have been strongly warned against taking them. As far as narcatic drugs go, marijuana is probably your best bet (but long term use messes with your dopamine receptor, so, again, using it to cope with anxiety you experience on a regular basis prolly isn't your best strategy). Oh, and I've never seen psychedelics and anxiety get along well.

Honestly, I advise just facing your anxiety. I'm not tying to be your franklin d roosevelt or anything but, the things people tend to be anxious about are usually far less detrimental than the anxiety itself.


I'm adding this image 'cause it's vaguely related to the topic, and it made me smile when i first saw it
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Love the image. :) Yeah, I need to just face the anxiety instead of trying to avoid it.
 
bickelz said:
Um, why? Have you done it?

If you do 20x, you have to take like 5 hits before you actually feel anything *serious face*.

In Washington state, you get it at the smoke shops where it is stored in the counter. Probably the same in other states too.
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Hey is this the so called synthetic marijuana, like incense or something? Because many places in my state just made that stuff illegal where it was sold in smoke shops. I'd never heard of it until it became illegal so I have never done it.
 
zak said:
Salvia's pretty mild. I think people make it out to be scarier than it is. That said, it's not worth your time.

Kava is awesome. I've been drinking it for years and love it. They have kava bars in Hawaii, which is where I first experienced it in full effect (fresh kava is quite potent). To be honest, it doesn't do much. It releases the tension in my body (a good thing for an INFJ), makes it easier to talk to strangers (re: kava bar), and sometimes things are a bit funnier for a short time. A good kava buzz only lasts about half an hour. It doesn't change your perceptions of things and won't make you think you're a caterpillar or anything like that. :)

You can buy kava powder at various locations on/offline, or you can go all out and get the root (more work). I have the powder, which I share when friends come over, but lately I've just been buying boxes of Yogi Tea's Kava Stress Relief. It's not as strong as regular kava, so you may not notice the effects or know what to expect if you start with that. Kava doesn't usually cause a response the first couple times you drink it (unless you have fresh kava). Not sure why that is, but it's been the case with a bunch of my friends.

As for other drugs... it's been over a decade since I've used them and I don't plan on doing so in the future, but I was enthusiastic about psychedelics and empathogens for a year or two after high school. I had generally positive experiences, and grew spiritually and mentally through their use, but I did months of research before putting anything into my body and always made sure I had a good set and setting. I don't regret these experiences and have good memories (not all of my friends do), but now that I've had some time away from them I've discovered dozens of alternatives to drugs that are just as powerful and less mind-consuming.

To a certain degree I'd say that experimenting with drugs is healthy, but remember that any drug (even the natural ones) should be approached with care and respect. I don't think anyone here wants to see you hurt yourself. :) Anyway, if not already apparent, my vote's for kava.
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I will look into Kava. Thank you for the tip.
 
middle1 said:
Hey is this the so called synthetic marijuana, like incense or something? Because many places in my state just made that stuff illegal where it was sold in smoke shops. I'd never heard of it until it became illegal so I have never done it.
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Nope. Slavia is not synthetic marijuana nor any other type of marijuana. It is its own plant/leaf/natural drug just like pot is but it will not directly give you cancer like the synthetic marijuana does.
 
acd said:
I can relate to the OP...

I have anxiety issues.. Some nights I can't sleep at all, which makes me even more frustrated because I know that my body and mind need the rest to accomplish overcoming whatever challenges happen to be terrifying me... Last night I laid awake in bed and thought of that 'It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia' episode where the characters live in a really shitty apartment complex with howling cats that make it impossible to fall sleep... so in order to go to sleep, they eat cat food and huff glue until they are so ill they have to pass out.

I've thought of downing a bottle of wine a night.. but then I think that overall, becoming an alcoholic would only make things way worse and create tons more problems to boot. I've just been trying to take it slow... figure I'll worry about what is immediate because I can deal with that. I've also come up with a mantra that goes something like, 'the main reason I fail is because I'm afraid to step out of my comfort zone.' I'm trying to take a difference perspective... instead of becoming overwhelmed, I'm trying to see my current under takings as a challenge that I can overcome with a little more effort and courage than I'm used to applying...

Take care.
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People are indicating that I might have an anxiety problem, but then I hear stories like these and I cannot relate. I never have any anxiety attacks, I never lose any sleep over it. But my whole life is filled with anxious moods, I guess. It seems as though it's part of my personality to fret over things? I don't know how to be any different, because it's what I've been like my whole life.

I'll try to think about what you've written here. That mantra is interesting, and I'll try to live by it. We could compete and see who is the best at sticking to it? :) And yeah, drinking will not offer a permanent solution. Plus that episode of its always sunny sounds prettty messed up. ha.
 
middle1 said:
Um, where would one find this stuff?
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When it used to be legal pretty much everywhere you could order pounds of it for under $100 and make homemade extracts
bickelz said:
Um, why? Have you done it?

If you do 20x, you have to take like 5 hits before you actually feel anything *serious face*.

In Washington state, you get it at the smoke shops where it is stored in the counter. Probably the same in other states too.
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If it's legal where you are, you might as well make your own extract from fresh leaves. If you've only experienced being outside yourself or the switch in gravity, you haven't "broken through." The stuff you buy in stores is dried out and poorly taken care of. The active ingredient breaks down in heat and sunlight, so what ever is in a head shop is generally over priced and low quality. When you have good stuff you'll know it because you'll be taken to a completely different world. I'm not exaggerating that either.

middle1 said:
Hey is this the so called synthetic marijuana, like incense or something? Because many places in my state just made that stuff illegal where it was sold in smoke shops. I'd never heard of it until it became illegal so I have never done it.
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Yeah, it's becoming increasingly illegal and harder to come by unless you know someone who actually grows it. It's nothing like pot or K2 or any synthetic. It's a completely different experience, and I'd put it above shrooms in potency for hallucinations if it's the real stuff.

All those stories about it being fun, addictive, and the such aren't true. Maybe the kids like to mess around with the headshop stuff, but homemade extracts take you to some truly bizarre places.
 
mf said:
When it used to be legal pretty much everywhere you could order pounds of it for under $100 and make homemade extracts

If it's legal where you are, you might as well make your own extract from fresh leaves. If you've only experienced being outside yourself or the switch in gravity, you haven't "broken through." The stuff you buy in stores is dried out and poorly taken care of. The active ingredient breaks down in heat and sunlight, so what ever is in a head shop is generally over priced and low quality. When you have good stuff you'll know it because you'll be taken to a completely different world. I'm not exaggerating that either.


Yeah, it's becoming increasingly illegal and harder to come by unless you know someone who actually grows it. It's nothing like pot or K2 or any synthetic. It's a completely different experience, and I'd put it above shrooms in potency for hallucinations if it's the real stuff.

All those stories about it being fun, addictive, and the such aren't true. Maybe the kids like to mess around with the headshop stuff, but homemade extracts take you to some truly bizarre places.
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Wow I guess I'm getting old, I haven't heard of such. I doubled checked and it is illegal here as well as K2, which is what I was thinking it was at first.
 
THEY SHOULD NOT BAN SPICE. IN UTAH THEY ARE DOING A ONE YEAR BAN.
 
aerosol said:
You know, I'd like to try therapy but I'd probably hate the therapist. I guess people annoy me really easily in person, and it's hard for me to confide in someone I dislike, obviously.
I like your stance on prescription drugs. I've even heard that the drug companies pay doctors/psychologists to put people on their pills.
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If you don't like a therapist you don't have to stick to them. There is such a thing as a relationship between a patient and therapist, and it is a very important factor. If both of you don't work well together, then nothing will come of therapy. Shop around a little. Some places I have heard give free intakes to allow people to see if they will match up with the therapist or not. If you are still in school, most campuses offer free cousiling to students (that's what I do). In the end to though, what have you got to loose except for perhaps a small amount of money. I really highly recommend you look into finding a therapist. You won't know if it will help until you try.

My stance on perscripton drugs largely has to do with me being a chemist by trade (mind you I don't get my undergrad degree until this may) and personal experiences I have had. Drug companies often do give subsidies to doctors if they perscribe certain medicines. There is a business to it unfortonately, and I largely can not blame some small practices for caving under the offer. My stance is strongest with mental medications, as they are inheriently risky. The brain is by far the most complex organ in the body, and it is the most easily "wrecked" in a sense. I also have the belief that most people can under sheer will power and effort work through their mental issues. I have gotten past many of mine and I know others who have done the same. The end results of that are often much more long lasting and "meaningful" as you have properly developed your mind with it, as opposed to using a chemical to do it, which will not likely do exactly what you want to do. Let alone it can't do the "fine tuning" that you can do on your own.
 
IndigoSensor said:
If you don't like a therapist you don't have to stick to them. There is such a thing as a relationship between a patient and therapist, and it is a very important factor. If both of you don't work well together, then nothing will come of therapy. Shop around a little. Some places I have heard give free intakes to allow people to see if they will match up with the therapist or not. If you are still in school, most campuses offer free cousiling to students (that's what I do). In the end to though, what have you got to loose except for perhaps a small amount of money. I really highly recommend you look into finding a therapist. You won't know if it will help until you try.

My stance on perscripton drugs largely has to do with me being a chemist by trade (mind you I don't get my undergrad degree until this may) and personal experiences I have had. Drug companies often do give subsidies to doctors if they perscribe certain medicines. There is a business to it unfortonately, and I largely can not blame some small practices for caving under the offer. My stance is strongest with mental medications, as they are inheriently risky. The brain is by far the most complex organ in the body, and it is the most easily "wrecked" in a sense. I also have the belief that most people can under sheer will power and effort work through their mental issues. I have gotten past many of mine and I know others who have done the same. The end results of that are often much more long lasting and "meaningful" as you have properly developed your mind with it, as opposed to using a chemical to do it, which will not likely do exactly what you want to do. Let alone it can't do the "fine tuning" that you can do on your own.
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I tried a school one already. Sorry to be a debbie downer about this, but I have little to no faith in finding someone that I'll click with. I'm pretty weird in general, and then when I talk about my problems and thoughts and feelings I'll get even weirder. The school one I had was kinda shitty. But they have more than one, so I guess I could try someone else there.

I just hate how literally everyone seems to be on some kind of prescription drug. The general idea seems to be that pills are an easy fix to whatever problem you have. I know someone who puts all her kids on pills for anxiety and depression. It IS normal to get depressed and anxious, especially when you're younger, and I just don't get why there is such a pill obsession.
 
aerosol said:
I tried a school one already. Sorry to be a debbie downer about this, but I have little to no faith in finding someone that I'll click with. I'm pretty weird in general, and then when I talk about my problems and thoughts and feelings I'll get even weirder. The school one I had was kinda shitty. But they have more than one, so I guess I could try someone else there.

I just hate how literally everyone seems to be on some kind of prescription drug. The general idea seems to be that pills are an easy fix to whatever problem you have. I know someone who puts all her kids on pills for anxiety and depression. It IS normal to get depressed and anxious, especially when you're younger, and I just don't get why there is such a pill obsession.
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The worst that can happen is you end up wasting a bit of time and money. If all of this stress and anxiety is bothering you this much, then you would be doing yourself a diservice not to try as many (reasonable) options that you can. Try to go into it with an open mind, and just talk at first. Even if you just use a therapist as a vent it can be useful. I know trust might be an issue for you, but you must understand a therapist is never going to speak ill of you or treat you badly in anyway for being who you are. Besides, that'd be illegal! You have very little to lose and a lot to gain.
 
IndigoSensor said:
The worst that can happen is you end up wasting a bit of time and money. If all of this stress and anxiety is bothering you this much, then you would be doing yourself a diservice not to try as many (reasonable) options that you can. Try to go into it with an open mind, and just talk at first. Even if you just use a therapist as a vent it can be useful. I know trust might be an issue for you, but you must understand a therapist is never going to speak ill of you or treat you badly in anyway for being who you are. Besides, that'd be illegal! You have very little to lose and a lot to gain.
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I wish it were that easy. As far as out-of-school counselling goes, my foreign insurance probably doesn't cover it. Then, any interaction I have with other humans will be strained. Unless I like them, which is very, very rare. I dunno if it's my INFJness or if it's just me, but my intuition and ableness to read through people is through the roof and therefore it is almost like being able to read people's minds. I don't like talking about this stuff because it makes me sound like I'm up in the clouds or just plain delusional, but yes - I know what people are about straight off the bat. It is really draining because people are usually very displeasing. I guess that's why avoid them altogether.
So yeah, people might not speak ill of me or blatantly treat me badly but I will know their true thoughts of me, which can be even worse.
 
What country are you from? Sometimes foreigen insurance will be accepted. Further, why not talk about that exact issue with a therapist? What better way to gain insight on it then to attack it head on (which you seem to do easily) and work through it. Understanding leads to methods to mitigate and control. Again, if you really want to work out your problems, you have to try something.
 
IndigoSensor said:
What country are you from? Sometimes foreigen insurance will be accepted. Further, why not talk about that exact issue with a therapist? What better way to gain insight on it then to attack it head on (which you seem to do easily) and work through it. Understanding leads to methods to mitigate and control. Again, if you really want to work out your problems, you have to try something.
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Sweden.
Yeah, I definitely need to try something. Thanks for trying to get me there.
 
Wyote said:
Why don't you take the natural route and meditate.

You can also consume these in various ways:

Kava Kava
Valerian
Ashwagandha
Chamomile
Salvia
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Salvia is illegal in a lot of places now, Georgia and Florida included. I tried it before it was illegal, and it was nothing great. I say this because I assume you were suggesting legal alternatives?

Valerian and chamomile are good for little else than going to sleep.
 
Drugs will just make you worse. Especially pot. Pot is well known for increasing anxiety and even causing severe attacks

It's a shame you don't live in england. Our therapists are free on the NHS

A cognative behavioural therapist is the way to go.

CBT is proven to work for anxiety
 
Exercise is also very good for anxiety.

Anxiety is caused by fear. This fear initiates the fight or flight response which causes all kinds of physiological changes including stopping digestion, causing muscle tension and giving you a hit of adrenalin.

Our bodies don't distinguish between a social threat and a physical one. Worrying about what people think of you is likely to cause the eight or flight response but because there is no physical danger you don't work off the adrenaline and tense muscles.

This is the cause of anxiety

Simply work it off. Go swimming, running or whatever

It is proven to work.
 
I vote no for Salvia

Just Say No to prescription meds... in any case

get rid of the pills! pills just numb us to reality!

people need to be treated holistically
sometimes they just need someone to talk to

our approach with these meds seems really stupid

Mushrooms are amazing.

I believe mushrooms could replace all anti depressants currently in existence.
With the help of mushrooms people have been able to kick their alcohol, heroin, cigarettes.

It's a natural thing.... so why is this psychedelic still illegal?

We are in the Dark Ages.
 
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EefPcht54c"]YouTube - I Don't Like The Drugs (But The Drugs Like Me)[/ame]

I don't recommend shrooms. There is insufficient evidence, but I would not be surprised if they really mess up your brain. I have never done them.
 
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