The real risks of psychedelics, explained by an expert | Dr. Matthew Johnson
Big Think・4 minutes read
Psychedelics, such as psilocybin mushrooms and LSD, are considered the least harmful among major psychoactive compounds, with no lethal overdose amounts for most people. Having a 'sober guide' is essential in reducing risks, ensuring a safe environment, dosage control, and building trust. Despite potential dangers like accidents or bad trips, harms from psychedelics are less common than those from legal and illegal substances like tobacco and alcohol.
Insights
- Psychedelics, such as psilocybin mushrooms and LSD, are considered less harmful compared to other psychoactive compounds, with no known lethal overdose amounts for most individuals.
- Having a 'sober guide' during psychedelic experiences is essential for reducing risks, maintaining a safe setting, controlling dosage, and establishing trust with a present individual, despite potential dangers like accidents or negative trips being less common than those from legal and illegal substances like tobacco and alcohol.
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Recent questions
Are psychedelics considered harmful compared to other substances?
Psychedelics, such as psilocybin mushrooms and LSD, are actually ranked as the least harmful among major psychoactive compounds in terms of self-harm and harm to others. This is due to the fact that there are no known lethal overdose amounts for most people who use these substances.
How can risks associated with psychedelic use be minimized?
The presence of a 'sober guide' is crucial in minimizing risks associated with psychedelic use. This guide ensures a safe environment, control over dosage, and trust in the person present, reducing the potential for accidents or bad trips.
What are some dangers associated with psychedelics?
While there are real dangers associated with psychedelics, such as the potential for accidents or bad trips, these risks are far less prevalent than harms from other legal and illegal substances like tobacco and alcohol.
Do psychedelics have lethal overdose amounts?
For most people, there are no known lethal overdose amounts for psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms and LSD. This makes them safer in terms of potential self-harm compared to other substances.
Why is having a 'sober guide' important during psychedelic use?
Having a 'sober guide' present during psychedelic use is crucial for ensuring a safe environment, control over dosage, and trust in the person present. This helps minimize risks associated with psychedelic use and can prevent potential accidents or bad trips.
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Summary
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"Psychedelics: Least Harmful, Need Sober Guide"
- Psychedelics, like psilocybin mushrooms and LSD, are ranked as the least harmful among major psychoactive compounds in terms of self-harm and harm to others, with no known lethal overdose amounts for most people.
- The presence of a 'sober guide' is crucial in minimizing risks associated with psychedelic use, ensuring a safe environment, control over dosage, and trust in the person present.
- While there are real dangers associated with psychedelics, such as the potential for accidents or bad trips, they are far less prevalent than harms from other legal and illegal substances like tobacco and alcohol.
