Who gets high?

[GRH]

Sesame, I'm not sure what parallel to draw??? I've dreamt many of times, and I've been altered many times...

That said, there are obvious parallels between the two. At my current state of consciousness, I can't always tell the difference. Let me explain...

I have always dreamed lucidly...My ability to differentiate the dream state from waking is something that seems to be a gift to me. In almost all of my dreams, I am aware on some level of the fact that I am dreaming. That said, I have had profound dreams...I have experienced prophetic dreams and dreams of exreme importance. For someone such as myself, the line between sleep and awake is often blurred...This is affected by my own tendency towards suffering from chronic insomnia...

Perhaps this is one reason that I gravitate towards altered states of being (and altered states of being asleep!). Just the other night I was in this weird state where I wasn't quite awake, nor was I entirely dreaming. I was aware of what was going on around me, yet I was in another world. THIS is what psychadelic consciousness is like to some extent. I found myself waking up at multiple points throuth the night...At one point I was reaching out (literally waking up my spouse) in an attempt to catch a ball...At another point in my dream state, I woke myself up biting my pillow, while thinking that I was fending off some attacker. Someone such as myself has a difficulty differentiating between a "dream" and "reality." The two concepts become an intermeshed perspective of the larger notion of TRUE consciousness...

Our discussion of consciousness and reality could probably eclipse any topic intended for this message board, but I hope that my cursory definition gives you some perspective regarding myself. This said, I still welcome exploring at more depth ANY given topic of drugs or consciousness, it's one of the few areas that I feel to have lots of experience. It's one of the few areas that doesn't distinguish between our conceptions of male/female, rich/poor, black/white/brazilian/etc. Consciousness is a primal exploration of who we really are, and drugs are one of the more primitive means by which we get to this ends!

[sesame]

GRH:

Consciousness is a primal exploration of who we really are, and drugs are one of the more primitive means by which we get to this ends!

There is another way: meditation.
Anyway, I am also very interested in the exploration of the four main states:
1) Ordinary consciousness: Awake
2) Dream (REM=Rapid Eye Movement)
3) Deep Sleep (No REM)
4) Superconscious :D ()

The difference between waking and dream is the absence of concreteness or a point of reference in the latter. But Dream is vitally linked to our well being and Not a false state. In Dreams, we get rid of the shackles of our physical body and can reach anywhere in lightning speed.

In Deep sleep, we remain totally unconscious, we dont even dream. We stop thinking here. I fact this is the real rest we get during sleep. Rest for the body and mind. (in dream, the body rests, but the mind keeps busy)

There are states in between which we can reach with meditation or drug use. In my opinion, with meditation, we can reach states where one is More Conscious of Oneself than Waking or Dreaming.

I was aware of what was going on around me, yet I was in another world.

I am talking about this state... More like, I am conscious of myself, but not in the ordinary world.

[sesame]

Thus, ideas that "walls are breathing" or that "colors or bleeding" and the sort are common sorts of hallucinations that are born out of the fact that a person is usually aware that they are under SOME sort of influence of a drug.

Hey, I had similar experiences, and in waking state! Without drugs!
I was affected by malaria... during the last few days, I saw that the walls were alive and oozing light. :D The ceiling of my bedroom was caving in upon my face. And my imagination and intuition was Boosted a 1000 times! How cool is that! On the downside, I saw horrible ugly creatues lurking around. But that is nothing in compare to the elation I felt.
God, how I miss that magical state!
I am willing to suffer from malaria for the rest of my life.

[sesame]

Have you been ever charmed by Absinthe?
[Lets continue with consciousness, I am just curious]

[marlowe]

The intoxicating substance TRANSGENERIS BEAUTIFICATUS (sometimes referred to in street parlance as "hot tranny beauty") is the subject of much debate. Opinion varies as to what is the preferred form of the substance, how it should be classified (hallucinogen? empathogen? anxiolytic?), what the effects of consumption are, and whether it is addictive.

Essentially a naturally occurring substance, there is sometimes chemical intervention in it's structure. This can be referred to as the Altered State (not to be confused with an altered state caused by consumption). For the vast majority ingestion is ocular. Intimate transdermal absorbtion is more advanced and rarer, and may include oral and anal ingestion.

The most evident form is the mass marketed version (Brazil and Thailand being principle sources) disseminated commercially throughout the world. Users of this version report that the effect is a mounting excitement leading to a brief euphoria and release of tension. Though generally considered harmless, some users can experience after effects of shame and confusion. (for further reports see the works of Dr. Wakitov)

In some cases consumption of the mass marketed version can lead to substance abuse. Esteemed writer Aldina B Huxley in her work "The Doors of Perception" points out that those prone to substance abuse develop severely distorted perception resulting in the condition known as 'dickhead'. She recommends a pure and highly refined version of the substance, and an understanding of it's qualities. A word of warning; this version is strong, it needs to be treated properly and handled with care. It may be too strong for some.

Another proponent of the mind-altering positive effects of the strong version is Prof. Havethelot. He has written extensively about the transcendental state attainable by prolonged exposure and fully incorporating the substance into one's life.

(nb: this article is written under the influence)

[sesame]

Bravo! Marlowe, Bravo!.

mind-altering positive effects of the strong version is Prof. Havethelot

That would be Hank.

Esteemed writer Aldina B Huxley

The Doors of Perception is a 1954 book by Aldous Huxley... This is a Real Book! Anyway, you could be referring to GRH (for the perception thing) or Bionca (for satiric outspokenness?)

works of Dr. Wakitov

I surrender. I've got no insights on this one. It may be the figment of your imagination, Marlowe!

Brilliant essay!

[GRH]

Sesame, I have been charmed by Absinthe before...A very nice liquor in my estimation, particularly if served right (but alas, there is some debate about what actually constitutes the traditional means of serving). It is heavily flavored of anise...The wormwood's bitterness is overthrown by the other herbs in the brew (star anise, fennel, etc.), thus the final brew is somewhat sweet, albeit HIGHLY alcoholic. The "magic" of absinthe is hypothesized to originate from the wormwood, more specifically, from the thujone that it contains. (Thujone exists in alpha and beta forms and is regulated by the FDA so as to not exist in food/drink products.) Thujone in high doses is a neurotoxin and can lead to the perception of a yellowish haze around things...Some attribute VanGogh's color sensibility to being influenced by absinthe. That said, absinthe got a really bad reputation at a time when little if anything was understood of alcoholism. Most of the reported symptoms of "absinthism" are in fact synonymous with alcoholism-- absinthe became the scapegoat for a culture struggling to understand the nature of alcohol addiction. The fact that it was one of the highest proof beverages of the day (and often imitated via unsavory and unsafe methods) absinthe is what ended up being banned. Such is the role of governments I suppose...It's really a pity, it is a good beverage...

That said, I'm glad you had a favorable run-in with malaria. MANY things can trigger altered perceptions of the universe...Stress, disease, drugs, meditation, holy books, dance, drumming, etc. My own opinion regarding altered states is that the consciousness experienced under the influence is every bit as valid as normal, waking consciousness. For that matter, like you, I view dream states as valid states of consciousness. I think waking consciousness is only one, very limited means of perceiving things. Too many people buy into the idea that this waking life is the only thing to our existence...

I myself think that we are so much more than this. That said, I'm glad to know that you have explored meditation. This is a route that I need to explore more, it would probably be less harmful to my body than all the chemicals. I must say though, I'm lazy, and psychoactives are the arm-chair quarterback's means of enlightenment. What is your major influence...Buddhist meditation? I myself have had my own spirituality heavily influenced by Hinduism...

That said, regarding our conversation about drugs, do you have any preference? Otherwise I might just pick an arbitrary place to start and will slowly pick away at describing the different categories, highs, comedowns, etc.