LSD for alcoholism?

[GingerDust]

LSD for alcoholism?

It's not really a revolutionary concept. Many cultures used hallucinogens to create mystical experiences aimed at gaining clarity and purpose. Native Americans used peyote, Hindus used magic mushrooms, the Aztecs used a hallucinogenic flower. If I recall correctly Ibogaine was originally part of religious ceremonies somewhere in Africa (?).

The upside is that hallucinogens are rarely addictive. The downsides have been covered.

[GingerDust]

LSD for alcoholism?

Just found this article on the front page of Google news.

"A new brain-scan study helps explain how psilocybin works — and why it holds promise as a treatment for depression, addiction and post-traumatic stress."

Read more: Magic Mushrooms Expand the Mind By Dampening Brain Activity, May Help Depression | Healthland | TIME.com

[suneelca]

LSD for alcoholism?

Am now risking revealing my true identity, but an old grad school friend has long been pursuing the cause of clinical research on the role of psychedelics in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. There is an increasing body of evidence that such drugs can be useful in treating those afflictions -- if used appropriately in clinical settings as an adjunct to a professional intervention. In other words, buying Ecstasy or LSD on the street (which would as likely as not be adulterated and perhaps dangerous) won't do.

What he told me 20+ years ago, when we were in grad school, is that Ecstasy was used by some psychotherapists prior to being made illegal in 1985 because it helped break down certain barriers to effective interventions. They could achieve as much in an eight-hour trip / session as they could over months of often ineffective therapy.

I just saw this study on Science Daily that indicates that Ecstasy could be an adjunct to treatment of PTSD because it reduces anxiety enough for treatment to be effective. My friend is quoted in the piece as he played a key role in getting the study funded and approved:

MDMA (Ecstasy)-Assisted Psychotherapy Relieves Treatment-Resistant PTSD, Study Suggests

His organization has similarly funded or is funding and designing trials of LSD and psilocybin to treat depression and anxiety. Here's an article from the LA Times (PDF of 11/29/11 front page -- look at right hand column):

Turn on, tune in, and get better?

Money quote from my friend: “It’s not the drug but how the drug is used that matters.”

[Otter]

LSD for alcoholism?

playland;1250471 wrote: Hi, Otter, I'm curious why it's such a dangerous subject to talk about just because possessing it is illegal. I know many people who took it who have relationships and partners and consider it the most profound positive experience of their life, "just saying".

It is dangerous because if you admit to possession of LSD and someone comes on here who is in law enforcement and sees that you live in his area they might want to find out who you are from MWO and come knocking on your door.
Although that is unlikely, I don't recommend anyone here admits taking LSD. Sort of like publishing that you robbed a bank. Baclofen is one thing but LSD is another.

The Drugs Forum members always use the term SWIM to refer to someone who is/isn't me and if they are talking about someone else they refer to them as a pet.

[suneelca]

LSD for alcoholism?

On reflection, my post was o/t, as the topic is about LSD and alcoholism, rather than LSD and other psychedelics and anxiety and depression. That said, there is some belief that Ayahuasca -- a psychoactive plant in the form of a tea -- can help in 'curing' addictions.

[GingerDust]

LSD for alcoholism?

suneelca;1250791 wrote: On reflection, my post was o/t, as the topic is about LSD and alcoholism, rather than LSD and other psychedelics and anxiety and depression.

The pdf article had addiction in the subject line too. It was interesting that it was covering a person who took it to deal with their own fatal illness. It is fascinating that it could work that way.

[Bruunhilde]

LSD for alcoholism?

Sun, there was a thread about ibogaine started (I think) in Holistic last year, a National Geographic journalist wrote a book that spoke about ibogaine/ayahuasca use in Papua New Guinea. Awesome book and intriguing idea. Mexico and other places have clinics where this is administered (at great cost to the "patient"). Also I think NPR ran a newsblip on it some 6 years ago about ibogaine.

Would love to be able to try some of these things in a controlled environment. Is your friend looking for volunteers for the LSD study?

[suneelca]

LSD for alcoholism?

Brun -- I would think you would have to be referred in by an MD. But I can check. My friend is like the Jesus of the drug legalization movement -- at a conference, people sort of wanted to come up to touch the hem of his garment. So hard to punch through the clutter ...

[Bruunhilde]

LSD for alcoholism?

I could probably get my MD to refer me but then AL would be on my record which I'm avoiding. I'm not sure how successful I've been however he has promised to keep all mention of AL out of the computer.

I wish there'd be an ibogaine trial. PbarE told me which clinic he used for ibogaine but I think it was super expensive and I forget the name. Duh. I'm about ready to spend some hard cash to get the kind of experience he had, and the freedom. I wonder if he's still free. Would love to hear from him now that its been a while.

[woywoyboy]

LSD for alcoholism?

Can anyone advise the legality of Ibogaine please? If you purchased from an off shore source, would you be liable to be locked up?
Edit: I am not contemplating this in any way. I am simply curious.

[GingerDust]

LSD for alcoholism?

I don't know about down under. In the US, you really can't purchase it even online. In Mexico and the UK it's used in clinics. If Ibogaine does not agree with you, some of the effects can be really quite nasty. There are horror stories out there regarding that and ones that detail bad trips. Also, a lot of health issues can be badly aggravated by Ibogaine, including heart and lung stuff. The clinics that administer it do pretty thorough screenings, and even then a small percentage of their patients require medical care for physical complications after taking it.

Even if it was legal here, I wouldn't attempt it outside of a setting that was designed to deal with those kind of complications. I would try one of those clinics if my pocketbook allowed it. It does not.

[GingerDust]

LSD for alcoholism?

Eek. I kept reading on it and a manual says not to administer it if the patient is on medication that will cause adverse affects with Ibogaine. It lists "anti-epileptic" medication as one of those, and baclofen was created to control seizures. It also lists anti-depressants as a no go. Here's the whole manual:

Manual for Ibogaine Therapy

[woywoyboy]

LSD for alcoholism?

Ginger that looks like very heavy duty stuff. When in the grip of addiction one will try many things out of desperation but Ibo appears to be something on the more extreme side of treatment but hey, if it works for you then power to you.

[Dosage0]

LSD for alcoholism?

This seems a bit like substituting one bad habit for another, but I have HEARD that when you use LSD, a microdot, or similar, you tend to drink water? I have also heard that ecstasy will make you drink water rather than beer? I have also heard that PCP was used in an attempt to curb alcohol use.

I don't advise trying any of the above substances, but it is an interesting idea.

[spacebebe01]

LSD for alcoholism?

I read something in the paper the other day about magic mushrooms being teasted here in UK for treatment of alcohol addiction. There no way I'd want to try taking any halucenogenic, my heads enough of a mess as it is,