Lately there many podcasts, articles, celebrities and books talking about people’s experiences tripping on magic mushrooms. Joe Rogan is a big fan of mushrooms who speaks frequently about tripping and has guests who promote them for everything from depression to traumatic brain injury on his podcast. Michael Pollen wrote “How To Change Your Mind” about his research and personal experience with psychedelics. Even neuroscientist Sam Harris has written that psychedelic trips were “indispensable tools” in his personal growth.
I have never taken magic mushrooms nor any other psychedelic. Despite the glowing reviews of visions, spiritual experiences and mind-bending spiritual experiences, I’m not too interested in trying this myself.
I’m even less interested in hearing about someone else’s trip.
If it helps people, great. It’s not my place to judge people’s drug use. In fact, I think all drugs should be legal.
I just don’t care to hear about it.
I think mushrooms are just the drug “du jour”. When I was growing up everyone talked about getting drunk. Then snorting cocaine became the hot trend for movers and shakers. Then it was recreational marijuana which ultimately led to legalizing its use in many states (but not in deep south red states, of course). In the past decade, Adderall and Ritalin became popular among young adults who took them for energy and focus. And recently, Ketamine has become the darling drug of choice among the Silicon Valley tech bros.
People have been taking stuff forever to change their moods. Alcohol, tobacco, weed, mushrooms, drugs – to me they all seem to be driving toward the same goal. Make me feel better. Give me an escape from from my mind or my daily grind. Make me feel alive, good, energetic or relaxed.
As I said earlier, I don’t know if psychedelic mushrooms give you a “spiritual awakening” because I’ve never taken them. But I’ve been drunk plenty of times in my life to appreciate the feeling of letting go of inhibitions, laughing with friends, not worrying and having a good time. I’ve also experienced the highs of a caffeine binge, the effects of coming off of anesthesia combined with steroids and even a sugar induced mind-numbing “coma”.
It feels great to be high.
I get it. Do it if you want. It’s none of my business.
But please, spare me your detailed of your trip. It may be fascinating to you, but to me, I can assure you, it’s not.