Side Effects of the Drug Psilocybin
There have been many experiments and personal testimonies
documenting the side effect behavior changes and effects
reported by users of the drug Psilocybin from ancient history
until more modern times. For instance, the Aztecs believed that
they were capable of moving back and forth between the earthly
and supernatural realms (Schwartz 1988). This travel between
realms was often associated with hallucinatory trances guided by
their god for the entheogens-the Prince of Flowers. The Aztecs
called this ritual "the flowery dream;" this was induced by
sacred mushrooms (Erowid). The trend towards experimenting with
Psilocybin to determine its effects on the body started in the
early 1960's with prominent psychologists like Timothy Leary and
Albert Hofmann taking Psilocybin themselves and reporting their
experiences (Levitt 1975: 270). Later, there were more
controlled double-blind studies performed with groups of
subjects where the drug is administered and neither the subjects
nor the experimenter know which group is receiving the drug and
which group is receiving the placebo. It is much easier in these
types of experiments to control for extraneous variables and to
find a good operational measure for the subjects' reactions to
Psilocybin. However, since the experiences reported by most
users of Psilocybin are within a narrow radius of variation, it
is possible to utilize individual's personal experiences of
Psilocybin as long as they are comparable to the experiences
reported by the majority of the Psilocybin users in other
experiments.
In general, both psilocybin and psilocybin produce yawning,
inability to concentrate, r...
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...ashington, D.C.: Hemisphere Publishing Corporation.
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Later in the story Robert Olen Butler introduces a handsome stranger by the name of John Marsh. At this point the reader is able to assume this unexpected houseguest will intrigue Abigail. Butler then
Eisenhower’s military experience (one of the key reasons for him leading the Allies into Operations Overlord, Torch, and Avalanche) started when he was sent to boot camps around the U.S. to prepare troops for World War I. Eisenhower, despite his wishes, never saw foreign action in World War I, but he did have many stations where he trained. He was assigned to deploy to France, but a week before he was set for departure, the armistice ending World War I was signed. In turn, h...
Churchill paid him the following tribute: “During my long and close association with successive American administrations, there are few men whose qualities of mind and character have impressed me so deeply as those of General Marshal. He is a great American, but he is far more than that. In war he was as wise as understanding in counsel as he was resolute in action. In peace he was the architect who planned the restoration of our battered European economy and, at the same time, labored tirelessly to establish a system of Western defense. He has always fought victoriously against defeatism, discouragement, and disillusion. Succeeding generations must not be allowed to forget his achievements and his example” (The Nobel Foundation 1)
Psychedelic drugs affect more then creativity, they are also known to have the ability to increase the users sense of spirituality and religion. In the academic journal, “Voice of The Psychonauts,” author Levente Moro explores the correlation between spirituality, and psychedelic drug use. He claims that when psychedelic drugs are taken in a “supportive” environment they have the ability to induce “deeply meaningful religious revelations and spiritual awakenings” (Moro et al. 190). Psychedelic drug use in hopes of spiritual revelations is not new, and has actually been going on for hundreds of years. The Native American Church has been known to traditionally use psychedelic drugs for spiritual experiences (Moro et al. 190). Some Mexican tribes are also known to ingest psilocybin mushrooms in order to induce religious awakenings (Moro et al. 190). To further prove his argument, Levente Moro conducted an online survey amongst 667 random people. His results suggested that people still take psychedelic drugs in order to have religious experiences, even though it is looked down upon in certain religious groups (Moro et al. 195). Levente Moro is not the only one interested in psychedelic drugs and religion. Many other scientists have also examined this theory. In the article, “Values and Beliefs of Psychedelic Drug Users,” author Michael Lerner also discusses the relationship between psychedelic drug use and spirituality. Lerner also believes that when psychedelic drugs are taken with the correct mindset, they have the ability to increase ones sense of religion. In order to test his theory, Michael Lerner had 183 volunteers fill out a questionnaire. Even though he conducted the survey amongst people from all over the world...
Hallucinogens are a class of drugs that share a vast history, and were used for spiritual and religious practices since the prime of early civilization. They are referenced in the Hindu holy book, Rig Veda, the healing rituals of the Aztecs of Pre-Columbian Mexico, and are often attributed to the illicit practices of those prosecuted during the Salem Witch Trials. The first synthetic hallucinogens were discovered by a Swiss chemist named Albert Hoffman in 1938, and were originally manufactured to psychiatrists to help their patients access repressed emotions. Other uses considered for early hallucinogens included ingestion by doctors to better understand schizophrenic patients, and as an antibiotic. Their recreational use peaked in the 1960s, but began to decline after they were declared illegal in 1966, except in Native American churches where hallucinogens continued to be used as a spiritual tool. Though their popularity is not as prevalent as it had been in the “hippie movement”, their use continues to be recorded within a minority of the high school and college aged population.
Truman became President of the United States at a difficult and decision filled time. World War 2 was coming to an end. Only 2 weeks into Truman’s Presidency Adolf Hitler committed suicide and the allies declared victory. Although the war ended in Europe, the war in the Pacific was far from over. During the War, the British and US were in the middle of making the most powerful weapon the world has ever seen, the atomic ...
In 1944 Truman was asked to become a Vice President of Franklin Roosevelt instead Henry Wallace. However, he served in this position only for 82 days until the death of Roosevelt. In the first addressing to the Congress Truman promised that he will continue Roosevelt’s policies. However, he soon developed his own. In July he participated in Potsdam Conference and in August he authorized dropping of the two atomic bombs on the Japanese towns Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Howe, Helen, and Robert T. Howe. A World History: Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Volume 1. White Plains, NY: Longman, 1992. 533.
Psychedelics have always been a controversial subject in the world of drugs because they have the ability to alter one’s perception of reality. L.S.D, MDMA, and psilocybin are three of the main types of psychedelics on the drug market, all three of which are listed as schedule 1 by the DEA. A schedule 1 drug is considered to have a high addiction risk, has no medical value whatsoever, and is illegal to have in your possession. A schedule 2 drug is considered to have the potential for both medical purposes, and abuse. A schedule 3 drug is considered safe for medical use and can only be prescribed by a doctor. I however, believe that psychedelics should be reconsidered for at least schedule 2 as studies have shown an increase in the use of psychedelics in psychotherapy and can even help the terminally ill come to terms with their own deaths.
When WWII ended, Americans were left in the hands of Harry Truman. Known as an aggressive Cold War fighter, he led Americans against...
Though he wrote many fine and memorable concertos, such as the Four Seasons and the Opus 3 for example, he also wrote many works which sound like five-finger exercises for students. And this is precisely what they were. Vivaldi was employed for most of his working life by the Ospedale della Pietà. Often termed an "orphanage", this Ospedale was in fact a home for the female offspring of noblemen and their numerous dalliances with their mistresses. The Ospedale was thus well endowed by the "anonymous" fathers; its furnishings bordered on the opulent, the young ladies were well looked-after, and the musical standards among the highest in Venice. Many of Vivaldi's concerti were indeed exercises which he would play with his many talented pupils.
Antonio Vivaldi was born on March 4, 1678, in Venice, Italy, in a time period called the Baroque era, which is between Renaissance and Classical eras. You can imagine Baroque as a memorable era, where people embraced their romance of music and arts. If you had visited Venice at Baroque time, you would have found yourself surrounded with thriving music. Musical institutions, orchestras, and concerti flourished everywhere. Music pieces from Baroque are not as “religious” as those of Renaissance, but are not as hued as those of Classical. You probably would recognize Vivaldi’s most famous concerto – “Four Seasons”. This piece is usually played in documentaries, movies, or in an authentic café. “Four Seasons” consists of four parts, which are “Spring,” “Summer,” “Autumn,” and “Winter.” Each part pairs with a sonnet (poem), which reflects different stories. The best way to listen to these concerti, if you are not able to attend a live concert, is to use your headphone, which enables you to concentrate and read what Vivaldi was trying to tell.
Schmied, L. A., Steinberg, H., & Sykes, E. A. B. (2006). Psychopharmacology's debt to experimental psychology. History of Psychology, 9, 144-157.
The Four Seasons composed by Vivaldi was one of the earliest examples of program music and was also the most famous of all his concertos. Vivaldi wanted to depict the various seasons in the four concerti in Italian. When you listen to the Four Season, you feel as though he has created a whole another atmosphere with its own feelings. He seems to have used only the four major instruments that are usually present in an orchestra, which are the violin, viola, cello and bass, to depict this atmosphere effortlessly.
Pre-Columbian Mexicans used many substances, from tobacco to mind-expanding (hallucinogenic) plants, in their medicinal collections. The most fascinating of these substances are sacred mushrooms, used in religious ceremonies to induce altered states of mind, not just drunkenness.