Mental Health & The Election

[korgguy1971]

Probs need to change this thread title to "The Election - Before You Self-Medicate, Pls Read This First"

 

[superrific]

As far as heroin, drugs that were cut with it. Fwiw, just assume that if there was a drug between 1970 and 1985 you could use without a needle, I tried it. If I liked it, I tried it a lot. I really liked speed, LSD, MDA and mescaline.

I did not know that drugs were ever cut with heroin, or if I did know it, I'd forgotten.

Still, fentanyl is way more dangerous than heroin.

 

[Ddseddse]

I see. I thought strynchine was just a poison. Anyway, could you elaborate on the PCP/heroin comment? Are you saying you did those drugs, or that drugs you did were cut with them?

The dose makes the poison.

Everything thing you consume contains arsenic and as a result, a non-negligible portion of your body is made of arsenic. But that's healthy and normal because the dose makes the poison. On the other hand, in a large enough dose, ordinary water is a deadly poison, will kill you dead.

This is what I wish the "OMG!!! There's fluoride my my toothpaste!!!" idiots would understand. Might as well run around and yell "OMG!!! There's arsenic in my brussel sprouts!!!".

 

[finesse]

I did not know that drugs were ever cut with heroin, or if I did know it, I'd forgotten.

Still, fentanyl is way more dangerous than heroin.

You occasionally ran into pot dusted with it. Someone snuck it in on me. We had a serious discussion about it the next day.

 

[05C40]

It had very little experience with drugs before I joined the Army. Once I finished with Basic, I went to AIT (Advanced Individual Training) where, first thing, we were told we would be subject to random monthly urinalysis testing. And we were told that if we came up positive, we would "win a scholarship to Ft. Polk, Louisiana where we would receive training on how to carry a mortar baseplant," rather than how to operate and maintain cryptographic devices. And once I got to my first duty assignment, I was told that I would be subject to random, monthly urinalysis and if came up positive, I would be getting a general discharge and a FTA (flight to America.) So, I have never really done drugs, except the occasional joint at some party before the Army. Even then, it just never did anything for me.

Maybe I missed out some inner bliss or some expanded understanding of space, time, and the universe. If so, then that's water under the bridge at this stage of my life.

 

[finesse]

The dose makes the poison.

Everything thing you consume contains arsenic and as a result, a non-negligible portion of your body is made of arsenic. But that's healthy and normal because the dose makes the poison. On the other hand, in a large enough dose, ordinary water is a deadly poison, will kill you dead.

This is what I with the "OMG!!! There's fluoride my my toothpaste!!!" idiots would understand. Might as well run around and yell "OMG!!! There's arsenic in my brussel sprouts!!!".

Yeah and cyanide in peach and apricot pits and apple seed. Potatoes and tomatoes are members of the deadly nightshade family and the leaves, roots and sprouts are poisonous. People have died in famines when they didn't peel the sprouts off of potatoes before eating them.

 

[superrific]

The dose makes the poison.

Everything thing you consume contains arsenic and as a result, a non-negligible portion of your body is made of arsenic. But that's healthy and normal because the dose makes the poison. On the other hand, in a large enough dose, ordinary water is a deadly poison, will kill you dead.

This is what I with the "OMG!!! There's fluoride my my toothpaste!!!" idiots would understand. Might as well run around and yell "OMG!!! There's arsenic in my brussel sprouts!!!".

Yes, the dose makes the poison. But in ordinary language and usage, some substances are called "poisons" because they are poisonous in low doses (especially the most ordinary dose size) and typically (though I suppose not always) have few redeeming qualities. We call some mushrooms "poisonous" and others are not, though technically all mushrooms contain poisons and you can die from the poisons in an ordinary button mushroom (I think) with effort.

Anyway, the point of my post was that I didn't know much if anything about strychnine.

 

[TarHeelGrad]

My family has experience with so many different expressions of mental health issues, I've learned so much over the years and still know that I do not know enough.
I'm glad to see society seems to be heading the right direction with awareness and treatment, but we are a long way from having the tools to really deal with it. I just hope that we keep going.

At this time, I'm actually in an ok place, but my wife and I are having to deal with the impending passing of my father and how we are going to take care of my mother. So, there's always a challenge.

There is one thing. So many know the story of the struggles of my middle daughter. I'm so happy that she is doing really well. She put her opening a bakery on hold for now and took a job at Sams in the bakery about 7 months ago. She's already been promoted to shift manager and increased her salary 50%. But listening to her talk about work and dealing with customers and employees, you can tell that she learned so much from the therapy. She's very understanding, compassionate, and really reads people well. I think that she would make a great counselor. She's just in a good place right now and that makes my wife and my life much better.

I'm late reading this, but I just wanted to reach out and say that I am so happy for you and your daughter. I remember when your daughter first came out and you were so supportive of her and basically said "fuck the church". As a fellow dad, it brings a tear to my eye thinking of how much of an impact, in a positive way, you have had on your daughter's life. All heroes don't wear capes, dude.

 

[UNCatTech]

The dose makes the poison.

Everything thing you consume contains arsenic and as a result, a non-negligible portion of your body is made of arsenic. But that's healthy and normal because the dose makes the poison. On the other hand, in a large enough dose, ordinary water is a deadly poison, will kill you dead.

This is what I with the "OMG!!! There's fluoride my my toothpaste!!!" idiots would understand. Might as well run around and yell "OMG!!! There's arsenic in my brussel sprouts!!!".

I recall a lady calling a talk show I was listening to to warn of the fluoride in the water. The host told her there was something far worse.... dihydrogen monoxide. She bit hook, line, and sinker.

 

[UNCatTech]

You occasionally ran into pot dusted with it. Someone snuck it in on me. We had a serious discussion about it the next day.

Yea, I got a laced joint once, when I worked at taco bell. I was moving so fast I ran everyone off the line. After the lunch rush my manager looked at me and just said I don't want to know.

 

[TarHeelGrad]

I'm 53. At some point around 50, my body was like "nope" and any kind of cannabinoids just make me want to go to sleep. No euphoria/high, no nothing. Previously I loved doing it as an aid for anxiety/stress (or as a young person, just for expanding my mind or listening to The Doors or whatever). Sativa, indica - didn't seem to matter. All of the above makes me sleeeeeepppyyy now. Psilocybin too - what a gyp. Did acid once and although it was a fascinating and memorable experience, I didn't like the idea of not being in control and feared doing it again in case it ended up being a bad trip.

Dude, are you my long-lost brother? Your pot and acid trip mirrors mine exactly.

 

[UNCatTech]

It had very little experience with drugs before I joined the Army. Once I finished with Basic, I went to AIT (Advanced Individual Training) where, first thing, we were told we would be subject to random monthly urinalysis testing. And we were told that if we came up positive, we would "win a scholarship to Ft. Polk, Louisiana where we would receive training on how to carry a mortar baseplant," rather than how to operate and maintain cryptographic devices. And once I got to my first duty assignment, I was told that I would be subject to random, monthly urinalysis and if came up positive, I would be getting a general discharge and a FTA (flight to America.) So, I have never really done drugs, except the occasional joint at some party before the Army. Even then, I just never did anything for me.

Maybe I missed out some inner bliss or some expanded understanding of space, time, and the universe. If so, then that's water under the bridge at this stage of my life.

No one should have regrets for not doing drugs.

As much fun as they could be, I have negative stories also. Most of the negative was from alcohol.

 

[Ddseddse]

I get that. But driving a Tesla for all to see seems quite different than tripping out at home. The latter wouldn't seem to me to have much connection to tribal identity. I mean, it's fine if that consideration is important to you. For me, it wouldn't come to mind . . . and I'm someone who will never buy a Tesla.

Yeah. I get that. I can see the argument that we shouldn't have to cede psychedelics to the assholes, just because they have a newfound fascination with them.

I think my personal POV is influence by the fact that I don't necessarily view psychedelics as unambiguously good in and of themselves in the first place. I could say more on the topic, but I don't want to drag the tread further off topic.

 

[UNCatTech]

Yeah and cyanide in peach and apricot pits and apple seed. Potatoes and tomatoes are members of the deadly nightshade family and the leaves, roots and sprouts are poisonous. People have died in famines when they didn't peel the sprouts off of potatoes before eating them.

Yes, but this empowers the idiot on tic tok telling people their cheerios are filled with poison.

 

[superrific]

Yeah. I get that. I can see the argument that we shouldn't have to cede psychedelics to the assholes, just because they have a newfound fascination with them.

I think my personal POV is influence by the fact that I don't necessarily view psychedelics as unambiguously good in and of themselves in the first place. I could say more on the topic, but I don't want to drag the tread further off topic.

The thread is already gone, man. I'm not much of a psychadelic user. I did shrooms twice in college and nothing since. So it's not as if I'm all defensive about it. I just think it would be odd for that to be the reason not to use it. I don't think that's your reason -- you seem considerably more sophisticated in your knowledge and considerations about these substances, and I'm reading you as saying those are the primary reasons. I'm just surprised that it would enter the calculus at all. In the end, of course, it doesn't much matter.

 

[superrific]

It had very little experience with drugs before I joined the Army. Once I finished with Basic, I went to AIT (Advanced Individual Training) where, first thing, we were told we would be subject to random monthly urinalysis testing. And we were told that if we came up positive, we would "win a scholarship to Ft. Polk, Louisiana where we would receive training on how to carry a mortar baseplant," rather than how to operate and maintain cryptographic devices. And once I got to my first duty assignment, I was told that I would be subject to random, monthly urinalysis and if came up positive, I would be getting a general discharge and a FTA (flight to America.) So, I have never really done drugs, except the occasional joint at some party before the Army. Even then, I just never did anything for me.

Maybe I missed out some inner bliss or some expanded understanding of space, time, and the universe. If so, then that's water under the bridge at this stage of my life.

It's a thing that gives people enjoyment. So do rock concerts. I never had a chance to see Husker Du live. I would have liked to, but it never happened. I skipped a Pantera concert to hang out with my gf, and I heard later that it was an amazing show. I have no regrets about either. I've not joined the Mile High Club and very likely never will. Doesn't bum me out. Never climbed a mountain with climbing gear. Same.

 

[Ddseddse]

The thread is already gone, man. I'm not much of a psychadelic user. I did shrooms twice in college and nothing since. So it's not as if I'm all defensive about it. I just think it would be odd for that to be the reason not to use it. I don't think that's your reason -- you seem considerably more sophisticated in your knowledge and considerations about these substances, and I'm reading you as saying those are the primary reasons. I'm just surprised that it would enter the calculus at all. In the end, of course, it doesn't much matter.

My fault. I think I inelegantly combined two separate ideas in one post.

• I wanted to add a more measured voice to the "drugs are awesome" tone of the thread at that point in time.
• And, I wanted to share what I thought was a pithy observation; that in recent years the asshole community has really taken to psychedelics.

But those were only tenuously related points.

 

[Rock]

Gonna be honest, I haven't read all of the pages but many of you gave me advice and I appreciate that. I have largely avoided reading Twitter and then going into the comments and getting angry and writing some angry response at what's likely a Russian bot. That kind of political activity is just poison so every couple of hours I just glance at nyc's work or the headlines and I've likely been kept abreast of what actually matters.

Since you guys have been transparent, I'll share a little about my situation. Yes, generalized anxiety disorder could have been a misdiagnosis or something I have in addition to another problem/root problem but yeah, anxiety is definitely real and in my life. I don't believe and am pretty sure I don't have depression but I'm a high school teacher. I hate my job due to, amusingly, the politics of it among other reasons. I want to get out but it's not that simple of course. What makes it worse is that I have oh about $25,000 in student loan debt still. I have three degrees and appear like I'm not going to end up using any of them. What a waste.

I was also diagnosed with GERD and have a bad stomach. I think the anxiety/my stomach are feeding off each other. I've lost 25 pounds in about two months. Even with insurance, I'm paying a ton to try and figure out what's wrong and it's not working so I'm just lighting money on fire. My doctor wants me to get a CT scan of my abdomen/pelvis but it's going to cost me $445... with insurance. That's how bad our insurance is as teachers. I just love the health care in this country. So I'm going to avoid the CT scan because I can't afford it, then with my luck it'll probably cause me to get stomach cancer or something down the line and blah blah.

That's just kind of the head space part of this and why I think anxiety is my current issue. Anyway, I appreciate you guys reading my novel and letting me do some therapy here. I'm going to do some yoga, then meditate, and then eat plain white rice and chicken breast. Whoo.

 

[superrific]

My fault. I think I inelegantly combined two separate ideas in one post.

• I wanted to add a more measured voice to the "drugs are awesome" tone of the thread at that point in time.
• And, I wanted to share what I thought was a pithy observation; that in recent years the asshole community has really taken to psychedelics.

But those were only tenuously related points.

No prob.

 

[superrific]

Gonna be honest, I haven't read all of the pages but many of you gave me advice and I appreciate that. I have largely avoided reading Twitter and then going into the comments and getting angry and writing some angry response at what's likely a Russian bot. That kind of political activity is just poison so every couple of hours I just glance at nyc's work or the headlines and I've likely been kept abreast of what actually matters.

Since you guys have been transparent, I'll share a little about my situation. Yes, generalized anxiety disorder could have been a misdiagnosis or something I have in addition to another problem/root problem but yeah, anxiety is definitely real and in my life. I don't believe and am pretty sure I don't have depression but I'm a high school teacher. I hate my job due to, amusingly, the politics of it among other reasons. I want to get out but it's not that simple of course. What makes it worse is that I have oh about $25,000 in student loan debt still. I have three degrees and appear like I'm not going to end up using any of them. What a waste.

I was also diagnosed with GERD and have a bad stomach. I think the anxiety/my stomach are feeding off each other. I've lost 25 pounds in about two months. Even with insurance, I'm paying a ton to try and figure out what's wrong and it's not working so I'm just lighting money on fire. My doctor wants me to get a CT scan of my abdomen/pelvis but it's going to cost me $445... with insurance. That's how bad our insurance is as teachers. I just love the health care in this country. So I'm going to avoid the CT scan because I can't afford it, then with my luck it'll probably cause me to get stomach cancer or something down the line and blah blah.

That's just kind of the head space part of this and why I think anxiety is my current issue. Anyway, I appreciate you guys reading my novel and letting me do some therapy here. I'm going to do some yoga, then meditate, and then eat plain white rice and chicken breast. Whoo.

I didn't mean to suggest that GAD was inaccurate. It's just that it's often co-morbid with other conditions, and thus a diagnosis of "just GAD" is often incorrect. "Depression" is a capacious word that includes lots of different things.

That said, the GERD could definitely explain your mood. You should def get the CT scan. My wife's cousin lost a bunch of weight, similar in magnitude, and he was diagnosed with some sort of blockage in his intestine. They caught it in time and while he was sick for a while, he is OK now. Can't eat acids but is otherwise fine. Another month or two and he might have needed to have some part of his intestine removed.

I know, $445 isn't exactly cheap but if you've lost 25 pounds in two months unintentionally, you need to find out what's going on and fix it. My non-MD opinion.

I also have a bad stomach, though perhaps not to that extent. I used to carry Maalox with me wherever I went because I would need it quite often. It's gotten better. Let me share with you my secret, which might be applicable only to me but here it is: candy corns. Seriously. Sugar can settle an agitated stomach, and candy corns are basically pure sugar (unlike chocolate and most desserts). You could get the same effect with honey or cotton candy or some other sugar confection. I just happen to like candy corns for some reason. Also, pedia-lyte or the generic versions can be helpful, even for adults, though that shit is insanely expensive and a total ripoff.