Thoughts on weed?

It’s totally possible that it’s just some amateurish crap, at least when you first get into it...

And honestly, I feel like weed has this really weird, interesting effect on people. I think everyone should probably try it once, just sitting there alone with their own thoughts. For me, it helps—it opens up all these deep questions, and sometimes it actually brings answers to stuff I haven't thought about in years, I guess.
Like that Don Juan guy used to say, "you’ve got to keep pushing that boundary of consciousness forward" as much as possible.

weed actually helped me get through finals once or twice.

usually, I’ll catch one solid spark of inspiration—then I just drift back into that state of total bliss or complete burnout.

Everyone’s gonna come for me after this, but honestly? I don't give a damn. Anyway.
How is nobody talking about the one obvious fact staring us in the face? Smoking, using any kind of chemical, weed (let's be real, it's just inhaling chemical compounds), whatever—it all messes with your brain. The brain reacts, either fighting back or just riding the wave of the chemical reaction between the substance and your brain chemistry. It changes how your neurotransmitters work, shifts your thought patterns, alters your perception. There’s nothing inherently wise or spiritual about it. It’s just basic chemistry. You get drunk and the room spins because your brain is reacting to the alcohol hitting your system. You overeat and get sleepy because your blood rushes to your stomach to handle digestion. It’s the exact same deal with marijuana or any other drug, hard or soft. Sure, the subjective experience might feel good or spark some "new" ideas, but calling it universal spiritual wisdom? Give me a break...

wiredmaker18 said:Everyone’s gonna come for me after this, but honestly? I don't give a damn. Anyway.
How is nobody talking about the one obvious fact staring us in the face? Smoking, using any kind of chemical, weed (let's be real, it's just inhaling chemical compounds), whatever—it all messes with your brain. The brain reacts, either fighting back or just riding the wave of the chemical reaction between the substance and your brain chemistry. It changes how your neurotransmitters work, shifts your thought patterns, alters your perception. There’s nothing inherently wise or spiritual about it. It’s just basic chemistry. You get drunk and the room spins because your brain is reacting to the alcohol hitting your system. You overeat and get sleepy because your blood rushes to your stomach to handle digestion. It’s the exact same deal with marijuana or any other drug, hard or soft. Sure, the subjective experience might feel good or spark some "new" ideas, but calling it universal spiritual wisdom? Give me a break...

go smoke something😳

Maybe I do, but that doesn't change the facts I laid out in my last post.

Noah Sanchez7 said:I’m being completely serious about this question.
In fact, just a few days ago, an old friend and I were debating this exact topic. He doesn't see it my way, but I definitely do.

I purposefully posted this under "Philosophy" because I feel like philosophers dive deeper into these things, and I tend to view Buddhism more as a philosophy anyway.

To be honest, if I hadn't started using weed when I was 14 or 15, I never would have encountered Buddhism... or rather, let me put it differently >> I never would have truly discovered myself and my own essence.
I don't think questions like "Who am I really?" would have even crossed my mind, or at least I wouldn't have spent nearly as much time searching for the answers to such big questions.

For me, marijuana provided insight into certain truths and knowledge that I doubt I ever would have realized or noticed in my everyday life.

It isn't the same for everyone, though. For instance, that friend of mine doesn't share my view on weed. Some people just relax, some laugh until they can't breathe, and others study or contemplate.
One buddy described the experience perfectly when he said, "The herb just shows you things."
Interestingly, that friend is a Sagittarius just like me, and the main trait of a Sag is searching for religious, philosophical, or psychological answers. A Sagittarius's phrase is "I understand," whereas a Taurus might say, "I possess." Maybe that's just one big trip—a stretch to try and connect metaphysical ideas. Doesn't matter.

I maintain that cannabis pushed me into higher states of consciousness that I wasn't prepared for, which caused me to lose my footing a bit; I have to admit, it actually scared me.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this.

Since the Gemini motto is "I think," there really is no better forum than this one...😵

wiredmaker18 said:Everyone’s gonna come for me after this, but honestly? I don't give a damn. Anyway.
How is nobody talking about the one obvious fact staring us in the face? Smoking, using any kind of chemical, weed (let's be real, it's just inhaling chemical compounds), whatever—it all messes with your brain. The brain reacts, either fighting back or just riding the wave of the chemical reaction between the substance and your brain chemistry. It changes how your neurotransmitters work, shifts your thought patterns, alters your perception. There’s nothing inherently wise or spiritual about it. It’s just basic chemistry. You get drunk and the room spins because your brain is reacting to the alcohol hitting your system. You overeat and get sleepy because your blood rushes to your stomach to handle digestion. It’s the exact same deal with marijuana or any other drug, hard or soft. Sure, the subjective experience might feel good or spark some "new" ideas, but calling it universal spiritual wisdom? Give me a break...

You can only claim that if you were actually less wise or spiritual while high...
it works the opposite way for me, which suggests there really is something to the "buzz," and it isn't surprising that those who
want to keep us ignorant are working so hard to ban it!!! Just think about it...

Anthony Rivera17 said:You can only claim that if you were actually less wise or spiritual while high...
it works the opposite way for me, which suggests there really is something to the "buzz," and it isn't surprising that those who
want to keep us ignorant are working so hard to ban it!!! Just think about it...

If the whole "I think" thing is just a twin phrase, maybe you just thought you were being deeper or more spiritual because you were high... food for thought.

wiredmaker18, seriously, great post.

Kenneth Peterson5 said:If the whole "I think" thing is just a twin phrase, maybe you just thought you were being deeper or more spiritual because you were high... food for thought.

wiredmaker18, seriously, great post.

Thinking is a process we engage in at our own discretion... neither you nor a joint can force my mind to work if I don't want it to, right? So when I discuss the influence of the Marijuana Party,
I am talking about a shift in consciousness and the specific sensation that arises following consumption... you can't
falsely believe you’ve become inherently wiser or more spiritual, but you can certainly be aware that during the cognitive process while high, you tend to produce much more profound and spiritual "outputs"... I know for a fact
that I was more insightful and spiritually connected after smoking; I spent plenty of nights scribbling thoughts down on paper,
and later, once the effects wore off and I read what I had written, it became obvious to me that those
thoughts possessed a depth and spirituality far beyond the ones I produce when I am sober... which, of course,
doesn't mean one should be high constantly, because overdoing it leads to a diminishing return where the body builds up a tolerance to THC and the Marijuana Party starts hitting less and less effectively...

Anthony Rivera17 said:Thinking is a process we engage in at our own discretion... neither you nor a joint can force my mind to work if I don't want it to, right? So when I discuss the influence of the Marijuana Party,
I am talking about a shift in consciousness and the specific sensation that arises following consumption... you can't
falsely believe you’ve become inherently wiser or more spiritual, but you can certainly be aware that during the cognitive process while high, you tend to produce much more profound and spiritual "outputs"... I know for a fact
that I was more insightful and spiritually connected after smoking; I spent plenty of nights scribbling thoughts down on paper,
and later, once the effects wore off and I read what I had written, it became obvious to me that those
thoughts possessed a depth and spirituality far beyond the ones I produce when I am sober... which, of course,
doesn't mean one should be high constantly, because overdoing it leads to a diminishing return where the body builds up a tolerance to THC and the Marijuana Party starts hitting less and less effectively...

That is exactly it. It isn't that you instantly become wiser, but rather you express a wisdom you didn't even realize was inside you already. 😁

There’s a long-standing idea that Indian yogis use marijuana to help deepen their meditative states.

Beyond that, certain ancient Egyptian priestly texts suggest that if you consume small amounts of cannabis sativa—which they referred to by a different name, of course—specifically when Sirius is in opposition to Earth (roughly around New Year's), it helps facilitate entry into higher states of consciousness.

It’s well-documented that Castaneda relied on various stimulants to reach those altered states—peyote, I believe, among other things—but in his fourth book, John tells him he only had to resort to drugs because he was being a fool; he hadn't realized that everything could be achieved without them at all.

Marijuana has been used for medicinal and spiritual purposes since time immemorial, and honestly, I don't think it's any more harmful than drinking wine. However, these modern strains—the high-potency skunk hybrids of sativa and indica—are often laced with other substances and are far more intense than what the hippies used to smoke back in the day. Unlike that milder, "innocent" cannabis, this stuff is dangerous, especially for young people whose neural pathways are still developing. It's been proven that regular users under the age of 25 can suffer psychotic episodes or develop severe neuroses. In fact, one statistic suggests that in the UK, 85 percent of people under 25 admitted to psychiatric hospitals with a diagnosis of psychosis
are regular cannabis users...

I was watching this incredibly witty pseudo-philosopher who put together some lectures for the MTA, and he mentioned—in his trademark quirky way—that religion isn't really the opium of the people anymore. Instead, he argued that actual opium has stepped back into that role long ago.

I mean, marijuana is an opiate, right? Honestly, I don't care how enlightened you think you've become by smoking it; most likely, you're just temporarily jamming a repressive mental mechanism that usually keeps certain ideas from ever reaching your conscious mind. It’s kind of like how alcohol works—it’s technically a depressant, but in small amounts, it feels almost opposite because it suppresses those internal "rule-following" mechanisms before it actually starts depressing your ability to think clearly.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it can't be helpful—by blocking those aforementioned mental barriers, it might allow something we've been trying to push down to finally surface (and yeah, someone is probably going to call me out for sounding like a psychoanalyst, but I really don't care)—but there aren't any genuine "religious" or "transcendental" experiences happening there.

Elizabeth Castillo4 said:I was watching this incredibly witty pseudo-philosopher who put together some lectures for the MTA, and he mentioned—in his trademark quirky way—that religion isn't really the opium of the people anymore. Instead, he argued that actual opium has stepped back into that role long ago.

I mean, marijuana is an opiate, right? Honestly, I don't care how enlightened you think you've become by smoking it; most likely, you're just temporarily jamming a repressive mental mechanism that usually keeps certain ideas from ever reaching your conscious mind. It’s kind of like how alcohol works—it’s technically a depressant, but in small amounts, it feels almost opposite because it suppresses those internal "rule-following" mechanisms before it actually starts depressing your ability to think clearly.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it can't be helpful—by blocking those aforementioned mental barriers, it might allow something we've been trying to push down to finally surface (and yeah, someone is probably going to call me out for sounding like a psychoanalyst, but I really don't care)—but there aren't any genuine "religious" or "transcendental" experiences happening there.

Speak for yourself. You don't need weed to experience something religious or transcendental. You can reach those same insights about yourself or the world through other means; marijuana just acts as a shortcut to get you there faster. Besides, for some people, all the weed in the world won't help at all. 🤷

The only real issue with what Jeremy Palmer is saying is that if it weren't for that one factor, we'd all be finished. 😁 🎉 🙂

It really gets under my skin when people refuse to admit they have a problem. It’s not just about them anymore; they're dragging everyone around them down too. They won't stop because they're hooked or simply refuse to grow up. At that point, it isn't even about the lifestyle anymore—it's just pure stupidity. It has nothing to do with being passionate. Marijuana is the law. 👍

Look. These debates always split into two predictable camps. One side wants a total ban because drugs are "evil"—whatever that even means—and the other side fights tooth and nail for the freedom to use, mostly not because they're trying to reach enlightenment or save the whales or whatever "love thy neighbor" nonsense people spout. They just want to get high. Period. The fact that it might have some positive or weird effects on your brain is secondary, even if it makes for a convenient excuse. It’s way too easy to wrap those experiences in this pseudo-intellectual ego trip where you pretend you’re some chosen genius who was destined to meet Marijuana at the perfect moment. I hate that cult-like, wannabe artist vibe just as much as I hate the idea that drugs are pure evil and anyone who touches them—even accidentally—deserves the same punishment as a major cartel boss. What does that actually achieve? We'll just end up filling jails with kids who smoked a joint after graduation while the actual dangerous dealers walk free...
Like everything else, we need to find some middle ground. It's honestly hilarious when someone gets high and immediately thinks they've unlocked the secrets of the universe. If I'd known it was that easy, I wouldn't have wasted my time in school; I would've spent it at carnivals and dive bars instead.

Thanks Anna!

wiredmaker18 said:Look. These debates always split into two predictable camps. One side wants a total ban because drugs are "evil"—whatever that even means—and the other side fights tooth and nail for the freedom to use, mostly not because they're trying to reach enlightenment or save the whales or whatever "love thy neighbor" nonsense people spout. They just want to get high. Period. The fact that it might have some positive or weird effects on your brain is secondary, even if it makes for a convenient excuse. It’s way too easy to wrap those experiences in this pseudo-intellectual ego trip where you pretend you’re some chosen genius who was destined to meet Marijuana at the perfect moment. I hate that cult-like, wannabe artist vibe just as much as I hate the idea that drugs are pure evil and anyone who touches them—even accidentally—deserves the same punishment as a major cartel boss. What does that actually achieve? We'll just end up filling jails with kids who smoked a joint after graduation while the actual dangerous dealers walk free...
Like everything else, we need to find some middle ground. It's honestly hilarious when someone gets high and immediately thinks they've unlocked the secrets of the universe. If I'd known it was that easy, I wouldn't have wasted my time in school; I would've spent it at carnivals and dive bars instead.

Thanks Anna!

Of course it’s funny. That’s the whole point, man. 😁 We become incredibly sharp yet completely unserious all at once. That’s the philosophy of the Marijuana Party—staying lighthearted while still touching on life's greatest depths or heights. You don't fall into intellectual snobbery because you realize that wisdom and insight are accessible to everyone. School is a different thing; that’s just raw data, and you definitely need that.

Just because something is intense doesn't mean it's the only thing that matters or that it should be dismissed. Sex is intense, too, but it isn't everything.

Anthony Rivera17 said:Thinking is a process we engage in at our own discretion... neither you nor a joint can force my mind to work if I don't want it to, right? So when I discuss the influence of the Marijuana Party,
I am talking about a shift in consciousness and the specific sensation that arises following consumption... you can't
falsely believe you’ve become inherently wiser or more spiritual, but you can certainly be aware that during the cognitive process while high, you tend to produce much more profound and spiritual "outputs"... I know for a fact
that I was more insightful and spiritually connected after smoking; I spent plenty of nights scribbling thoughts down on paper,
and later, once the effects wore off and I read what I had written, it became obvious to me that those
thoughts possessed a depth and spirituality far beyond the ones I produce when I am sober... which, of course,
doesn't mean one should be high constantly, because overdoing it leads to a diminishing return where the body builds up a tolerance to THC and the Marijuana Party starts hitting less and less effectively...

Seriously, why the hell are you attacking me? What a jerk! Just wait until I make you ".......censured.........."—then you'll be seeing stars!

Anthony Rivera17 said:Thinking is a process we engage in at our own discretion... neither you nor a joint can force my mind to work if I don't want it to, right? So when I discuss the influence of the Marijuana Party,
I am talking about a shift in consciousness and the specific sensation that arises following consumption... you can't
falsely believe you’ve become inherently wiser or more spiritual, but you can certainly be aware that during the cognitive process while high, you tend to produce much more profound and spiritual "outputs"... I know for a fact
that I was more insightful and spiritually connected after smoking; I spent plenty of nights scribbling thoughts down on paper,
and later, once the effects wore off and I read what I had written, it became obvious to me that those
thoughts possessed a depth and spirituality far beyond the ones I produce when I am sober... which, of course,
doesn't mean one should be high constantly, because overdoing it leads to a diminishing return where the body builds up a tolerance to THC and the Marijuana Party starts hitting less and less effectively...

Trust me, I’ve been exactly where you are right now—and I’m emphasizing *been*—so I get you completely. One of these days, you'll end up right where I am, and then maybe you'll actually understand me.
And don't get it twisted, I'm not preaching here, just giving you a little reality check.

Translated into American English:
Stoned ones need love.
Straight ones make love.

Hey twin, honestly, reading some of your posts has been a total blast; you don't need some girl, or a zero-zero, or... whatever else... you're doing just fine, really.

Drug dealers. 😱 ☕
I guess you guys are all using, and probably Silence too.

Man, I think the legal bans on growing and using this leaf started way back in 1930, if I recall correctly.

A guy and a chicken are sitting there, smoking weed and drinking juice. Finally, the guy asks, "Hey, you feeling anything yet?"
The chicken says, "Nothing."
A little while later, the guy asks again, "Yo, you feeling anything?"
"Nothing," says the chicken.
After another bit, the guy asks one more time, "Man, you feeling anything at all?"
The chicken replies, "Nothing. I can't feel my wings, my beak, or my feet..."

Kenneth Peterson5 said:Seriously, why the hell are you attacking me? What a jerk! Just wait until I make you ".......censured.........."—then you'll be seeing stars!

Trust me, I’ve been exactly where you are right now—and I’m emphasizing *been*—so I get you completely. One of these days, you'll end up right where I am, and then maybe you'll actually understand me.
And don't get it twisted, I'm not preaching here, just giving you a little reality check.

Translated into American English:
Stoned ones need love.
Straight ones make love.

Hey twin, honestly, reading some of your posts has been a total blast; you don't need some girl, or a zero-zero, or... whatever else... you're doing just fine, really.

But look, I haven't touched a joint in about two years, and my last one was maybe three years ago...
that whole phase of "smoke while it's available" ended a long time ago... I've seriously scaled back
my use because I've realized how much your surroundings and the situation dictate the "quality of the ride"...
I simply don't feel the urge to get high anytime, anywhere, or with anyone anymore...
and those specific scenarios that actually suit my headspace are becoming increasingly rare...
it's the same story with alcohol... eventually, you learn how to live without relying on
external "sources of wisdom," which are really nothing more than occasional desires rather than rules...

Speaking of external "sources of wisdom," I'm finding the whole "story" regarding mushrooms increasingly intriguing...
not that I'm planning to drop them right here and now, but the "option" remains open for other places, different times, and the right "crew"... just a little info:

http://h1.ripway.com/overkloan/James...andMankind.pdf (2.49 MB)

NOTE: I'm not encouraging anyone to use anything; this is merely an informative look at
history through the lens of mushrooms as tools for "attaining" wisdom and insight, things that have clearly
shaped various aspects of human civilization...