Hello.

SO a few months ago i was talking with a some guys about making a permanent thread on the nexus (maybe in the first aid section) about how to handle the shock like symptoms some people can have with psychedelics . When i spoke about it they seemed to be pretty familiar and didn't think it was a big issue, but when it happened to my friend, i became very worried . I wasnt sure if he was ok , or if i should take the risk of calling an ambulance.

Maybe we should get on top of that.

But in the mean time i was just wanting some Info, or at least exchange of conversation about this.

Like: why you think it happens and how to prevent , how to tell the difference between normal reactions and dangerous ones , and what to do in the dangerous case.

the situation im talking about is like this ; when they've taken the drug, become unresponsive to you and vomit uncontrollably for long time . Sometimes lying perfectly still for hours as though asleep, but clearly now.

As a side question, what are you tips on helping control inexplicable anxiety during a trip ?

Thanks, sorry if the post was a tad long, Magicman.

This is a good idea, although I'm not sure how many people here are qualified to give emergency medical advice especially in the case of possible allergic or fatal reactions to substances.
But it would be a good idea to start a thread to give a rough outline of distinguishing serious problems from benign ones.
It would still be wise to read up on the possible side effects of any substance you are planning on ingesting before hand.
Good idea! Not sure why its posted in the cacti section though?

Actually in the health and safety section there is a sticky about alkaloid overload, I think the concensus is disregard the original post and read what ice house posted.

There's a lot of info in the Health and Safety section like First Aid For Alkaloid Overload. I think researching any substance unfamiliar with before hand can reduce risk factors, as you know what a normal reaction may consist of and have a better idea about what isn't normal.

Ketamine has the tendency to make people look like they are close to death (non responsive/drooling) but is a relatively safe drug, even at high quantities. People will tend to pass out before being able to physically take enough to kill them. I had to put a friend of a friend (didn't know him) into recovery position a few months back because he spewed all over the floor and then fell face first in the puddle. Not a nice experience for the dude.

Edit: Sorry archaic, your message was not there before i posted. Didn't mean to repeat the same info.

Its all good helpful info is worth being repeated.

Ok I read the alkaloid overload page.The thing is , in my friends case for example, he vomited up all of the tea before he could have absorbed enough for a full dose, im suprised he even had the threshold ,but never an overload, and i know the tea was fine cause i had some, we had just had the same meal etc, but i do think that most of the tips in alkaloid overload apply regardless. but you see what im saying , the difference ?

So the first aid has been covered in that, but if the persons not dying ? help with some of the more trivial aspects you know .

what archaic said hits the nail on the head the best :



And its in the cactus thread cause i ,unfortunatly, have to base all my practical knowledge including the above on mescaline experiences. fell free to move it , mods.

thanks

Believe your body: If something makes you terribly ill, stay away from it.

Done!

I would say a good way to determine an allergy to a substance is to dose low first. If the person doesn't have an allergic reaction to a low dose, they will probably be ok for a larger dose. If however, you start off taking a high dose, then it might be very difficult to tell the difference between an allergic reaction, and a "normal" reaction to ayahuasca because the normal reaction to ayahuasca can be very similar to more serious problems. Not only that, but the person undergoing the experience may be convinced they are dying when they are not. It can be a tricky issue, which is why it's important to dose low first to ensure there's no allergy. As far as I know though, allergic reactions are very rare. Furthermore, deaths from other side effects, such as increased blood pressure, are very rare as well, but theoretically a potential concern.

People new to the brew will also probably react more severely. When I first started, I had more uncontrollable body reactions. Even a low dose would make me shake quite a bit, and fear that I was falling apart and going permanently insane. But now, even on higher doses, I can lie in perfect stillness without any shaking, or fear.