Modern Culture

Why tripping at raves can be just as healing as ceremony

I’d argue that a more spontaneous strategy in the consumption of psychedelic drugs can aid in reducing anxiety and provide more fulfilling experiences without intrinsically increasing the risks of social or neurological consequences. A mindless approach to psychedelics not only transformed my relationship with the drugs themselves, but finally gave me the emotional, philosophical, and social benefits I had been craving in my earlier experiences. Casually dropping acid at a rave, a roommate finding a bag of mushrooms in a jacket pocket…

Mindlessness, as a concept, sits in opposition to the modern push in drug culture toward what is commonly referred to as “mindfulness” or “intentionality.” This trend is, in many ways, a means to avoid discomfort and the darker emotions associated with the psychedelic experience. It’s no secret that common barriers for people in psychedelic exploration are phobia and anxiety. This emotional response to the prospect of experimentation is, for most, a byproduct of hyperbolic cautionary tales in pop culture, governmental propaganda – dating back to the Reefer Madness era – and media accounts of the dreaded bad trip. These cultural beliefs, wrapped in the human fear of losing control, deter many a prospective partaker. As a form of anxiety mitigation, many trippers, both novice and seasoned, rely on set, setting, company, and ritual to assuage their paranoia—many times assigning inherent political, spiritual, or therapeutic benefits to this mode of consumption. Managing these factors allows humans to feel a greater sense of control within the experience.

Original Article (Marijuana Moment):
Why tripping at raves can be just as healing as ceremony
Artwork Fair Use: Leonhard Lenz

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