🚀 go-pugleaf

ap.6372@cupid.sai.com (Anonymous) writes:

> It's really too bad.  All I'm asking is -- out of all of you who have had
> "bad trips," does it get better?  I mean, will I stop (not having
> flashbacks) remembering some of the images and being scared by them?  I'm
> really sorry I ever tried acid now -- though at the time, I thought I was
> learning a lot about myself and perceptions of things.
> 
> To those out there who have had bad trips, am I just being paranoid, or
> does it really affect your life?  I guess I "unlearned" some visual things
> that I used to ignore...?  Whatever it is, I hope it goes away...

I empathize with your position. I've known a fair number of others who 
describe similar experiences, and a similar revulsion and lasting fear 
from using psychedelics. They can be incredible powerful, that's for 
sure.

I don't think you've said enough about yopur experiences for anyone to 
give you a really useful opinion. The fear comes from inside, from the 
brain and body, like a post-traumatic stress effect. Wether or not your 
fear and 'touchiness' will fade depends on you, and the nature and 
structure of your fear.

But, generally speaking, my experience is that the automated, persistent 
fear does subside. However, something that one could call 'flashbacks' of 
fear will always be a possibility, whenever your 'subconcious mind' get's 
triggered by circumstances, symbols, or what-have-you... The best way to 
deal with it is to remind yourself vigorously that the fear is chemical 
and biological, to accept it, in a sense. Or rather, let's say, "_A_ best 
way...", cause each individual deals with their internal fear in whatever 
way best suits them.

The fear is the worst part-- that automatic fight-flight firing of the 
adrenals, and the feeling that something _bad_ is about to happen. All 
the other effects, with vision, etc, are pretty easy to handle, even a 
little  fun, almost useful (as a litmus test for your state of mind, 
etc.). Maybe you should check with an optometrist and get new lenses, 
though. ;-)

A more difficult approach is to try to let the fear teach you about 
yourself, to go for a 'breakthrough'. Lot's of times this involves some 
real suffering. If you don't have a strong, supportive environment It 
might be better to just relax, let the fear subside, and concentrate on 
the business of day-to-day living.

Later, Bill