So, we all know of the general population and the stigma associated with using these kinds of herbs. That they think people who partake are 'potheads', 'lost', 'unmotivated', etc. All the negatives that you can associate with the word "hippy" I suppose.

But, I'm curious if taking these things has subminally, or even out-right changed your view of yourself negatively or positively? Maybe you've even experienced ego-death?

Just curious!

I suggest you take all of those perceptions that "They" think and forget them quickly. Anyone can use anything in any way to any means.

Its quite funny cuz when you boil it down, the people who think that way are often more of what they describe than the people they judge.

Ego death is not uncommon among psychedelic users. I experience it every time I take LSD.

I don't think negatively of myself as a result of psychedelic drugs, and my view of myself certainly would not be affected by how society views what I do. Like all psychonauts, my psychedelic experiences are very personal. My spirituality was born from these experiences, and how other people perceive what I do will not impede my spiritual journey.

Regarding the 'hippy' question, when I think of a stereotypical hippy, I think of vibrant colors, love of music, psychedelic wall tapestries, incense, sustainable living, free love, etc.
I find it hard to imagine that anyone would perceive any of the above traits negatively, but what it comes down to is that psychedelic drugs make people realize that life is meant for experiencing such joys, and that culture prohibits joy by associating such activities with a deviant lifestyle. So my point is that if "hippies" respected the social stigma that you mentioned then they wouldn't do those things, that cause them to be labelled as "hippies", in the first place.

I'd call it a stereotype, and like most stereotypes, not necessarily accurate.

I've met totally sober hippies and LSD enthusiast rednecks. My personal observation of psychedelic users is that they tend to be more intelligent and intellectual then average.

The only catchall term I've found that describes all psychonauts universally is 'engaged.'

I have yet to meet a serious psychedelic explorer (I'm not counting ravers who trip at parties, or college drug enthusiasts in it just for the rebellion) who did not seem like they were alert and actively interacting with the universe as they lived life.

A lot of people seem to go through life with their eyes at the ground and deliberately wall off new experiences. There's something about psychedelic entheogens that either doesn't appeal to that kind of person, or alternatively, forces that person to look up, out and forces them to interact with the world.

If that is what 'hippy' means, then by all means, sign me up for that party.

No. It's the funny part about "They" .... they would never suspect that dude with short hair is on MEGA DRUGS. But every dude with long hair is "FUCKED OUT OF HIS MIND ON ACID" even if that dude is completely sober. People just buy into the rumors, or perhaps their limited psychedelic experiences that turned out bad because they didn't like "walls breathing towards them." Or something like that.

You only need look at some people like The Secret Chief, Gracie & Zarkov, Hunter S. Thompson, Alexander Shulgin to realize how highly motivated psychedelic "addicts" can actually become.

Personally I definitely find daily use of marijuana can cause me PERSONALLY to be 'lost', 'unmotivated', etc. Found that out the hard way, and I've probably fit the hippie stereotype because of that abuse IME.

Wheras psychedelics (at small dosages if in public) cause exactly that engagement Nathanial mentioned. So engaged in fact that everyone thinks I'm sober and pats me on the back for not needing drugs/alcohol to socialize. LOL. Little do they know ...

That engagement usually lasts long after the drug effects wear off IME.

No.

I think I've been spending too much time on fb. I was trying to find the "like" button on GobblinTorch's post.

Any way, I agree. If people are reasonably able to support themselves, their clothes, race, accent, hairstyle, are poor predictors of their drug, or lack of drug use. Excepting of course something more obvious like a giant pot leaf T-shirt, or a straight-edge tattoo.

No, but i have hugged a tree while on mushrooms. I think psychedelics can provoke the "wow man isn"t it all beautiful and profound" feeling in a lot of people who take them. Which is no bad thing IMO.

xD Good stuff.

To hug a tree and to REALLY communicate with him/her, one doesn´t need to be a "hippi" at all. All one needs to do is to chew a solid few of Mushrooms in the woods.

I agree, i can now hug/communicate without the aid of psychedelics. To be quite honest i don"t mind being called a hippie. It is usually used as a generic descriptive term by the masses. If they want to refer to me as "hip" that"s fine by me.
I have been referred to as many things -- a casual, a bazza,thug, halfwit,hippie,grebo,bikerdelic,junky along with many other categories that i care not to remember - it is great to have such a multifaceted image!

Yes.

I had no idea there was a negative association with being peaceful.

I'd say it was the other way around. Hippies are a psychedelic thing.