All I'm saying is that I've noticed many of the members who frequently use DMT seem to have a deep understanding of chemistry. They also display a use of proper grammar and spelling, and seem to have a possible understanding of the psyche that many civilians do not.
Is it possible that DMT could act as a mental "Lubricant"?
Or do you feel it is more likely that people with an above average intelligence are drawn to the DMT experience, and this is the reason most members here seem to be relatively insightful? Maybe a bit of both?

This is such a touchy topic (and one that's been touched on a number of times here) that I don't feel like going near it with a ten foot pole. Having said that, I'm not sure that having a proper use of grammar and spelling are exactly good litmus tests for intelligence...If anything I think that DMT can act as an outstanding source of inspiration for those attentive and vocal enough to take notice.

I read somewhere that users of psychedelics tend to have slightly higher IQ's (on average) than the general population. I don't really think IQ is a true gauge of intelligence though, so those sorts of articles seem like self gratification in some respects.

There's some idiots here too, just look at me

It depends on what you consider as intelligence.

IQ can be tested different ways, and there are so many types of intelligence and all kinds of IQ tests, all testing different aspects of it.One can be very good at deduction and bad at math, a lot of highly intelligent people have very poor social skills.You also score different when you are tired then when you are sharp minded after a good night sleep.

According to Einstein the true sign of of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination, so i guess in a way psychedelics might have influence on some aspects of what we define as intelligence, it sure enabled me to think different and be more creative, it made me open for a lot of things i never cared for before, it made me more eager to learn new things, it gave me renewed energy, etc etc.

Does that make me more intelligent?

I don't know, it's all relative, like i said, when you are tired and stressed your IQ score will be lower then when you are well rested and relaxed.

When you have renewed energy after a great experience you'll be more vibrant, when you are more brisk you'll be more creative, so imo it could improve some aspects of your intelligence, or what is defined as, but not drastically.

i'd say it doesn't make you any more intelligent but rather it sparkles in curiosity and admiration. and then it builds up into seeking knowledge to go as deep as one can. it's definitely a process that can make you more intelligent but it comes more as a development of your intents than by chemical reactions. just my 2cents

I would say there's defenitely some truth to that.
Psilocin has been known to promote regrowth/regeneration of braincells.
Also Psychedelics in general seem to significantly increase the connections between
brain cells. It's not hard to see how that would lead to a boosted intelligence.


One part of Intelligence is the Intellect: The ability to store lots of information.
Another part of Intelligence is being able to quickly access those files and see connections & patterns between them.


I think Psychedelics may boost both these parts of what defines Intelligence.
Stimulating new brain-cellgrowths creates a larger capacity for information storage,
while the increased connectivity between brain-cells allows for more connections between
various pieces of information to be recognised.

Please read this thread:
Imma Genius and So are You!!

It contains this link:
Smart People Do More Drugs--Because of Evolution

And that links contains this interesting quote:

And with that be aware that this is a theory and not a fact.


Kind regards,

The Traveler

I would agree with SKA and point to the studies of Franz Vollenweider regarding neuroplasticity and psilocin.

But another thing I recognized after doing spice several times, was that I stopped taking things as serious as I did before. I stopped being curious in order to desperately find out what is going on with the world and everything in favor for curiosity itself. I made me more relaxed so I could think better and it improved my focus. It just gave me the feeling that I don't have to, but I want to.

Another thing changing with spice was the lost of a stiff conception of the world. If one lives with such a conception the lost of it almost feels like one loses any conception of the world, because one stops trying to match new information with the concept. A whole instance got lost. It felt great. Instead of comparing new information with a bigger picture, I started comparing and building it in a "bigger movie". Knowledge became more dynamic and more information could be processed. And that without any loss of accuracy.

Before reading the next two paragraphs you should consider that these were my own experiences and I don't claim any general validity. The things I have done in the past long time ago, may go terribly wrong if another individual tries to cure him- or herself the way I did. See also: DMT-Nexus-Wiki: Health and Safety

I know many people of different backgrounds, with different strong points who did spice. Many of them did other substances before like alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine and other addictive euphoriants. Almost all of them changed their consumption patterns in favor for psychedelics and less drugs overall. The only people that didn't like spice were the opiate addicts. Perhaps they need another cure (ayahuasca or iboga). I noticed that spice could perhaps be used in treating stimulant addiction. Treating, not completely curing! They all recognized positive changes. Some ex-stimulant addicts now spent their weekends with books and forest walks instead of doing alcohol and amphetamine and don't sleep for two or three days straight. It feels like the spice cured my circle of friends (and some acquaintances) and turned them into more intellectual people. Well, the more accurate their knowledge was before the less obvious are the changes, but it seems like the spice admonishes people to become more accurate with their words and thoughts. But perhaps it's just my (and some others) influence in the group. Group dynamics is always a complicated issue.

While talking about the spice curing addictions. Another point how it improved my mental apparatus was it stilled my irrational fears. I suffered from burnout due to "over-learning" (always wanted to be the best, straight A student, it changed a bit with college but not too much). Another problem I had were panic attacks, I guess I had at least one anxiety disorder. The panic attacks started with doing Salvia with Cannabis, benzodiazipines and LSD too often and way too young (I was 15 years old back then). Somebody wanted to help me when I was 18 years old and brewed me an ayahuasca analog, that helped me not to kill myself for about 4 years, but it didn't totally do the trick since I still had panic attacks and sometimes suicidal intentions. I never wanted to see a psychiatrist since I was too paranoid and didn't trust anybody. So I lived with my panic attacks through drug-free phases with ambitions of becoming a renowned scientist and drug-abusing phases with stimulants, alcohol, opiates and ambitions to end it all until I became 22 and the spice entered my life again. Then the quest for the spice began. And I did it a lot back then.
Now I am almost 24 and didn't do any drugs for over six months. And I also hadn't any panic attacks or suicidal intentions for over 9 months. I guess the spice and some other psychedelics cured me.
So, I would say the mental healing potential of the spice is also a huge factor in improving your mental abilities. If you observe a transformation of a person into a more joyful, thoughtful and intellectual person after doing spice some times, keep in mind you didn't see the inner demons they were fighting with. Or perhaps you saw them all the time manifesting in the persons behavior.


@Jot: And that's perhaps what you have noticed. I also noticed, that doing spice made me to exercise more care about my words and thoughts. It's like the spice was reminding me of the value of knowledge and accuracy. But I wouldn't use the term intelligence. Intelligence may improve after following the path the spice shows you with its reminders but I won't let you gain more intelligence, by simple consumption. You have to do a lot yourself, but since the spice changes "have to" into "want to" (at least for me and some friends of mine), it's not that bad as it sounds like and totally worth it.

Dang guys, this is all super interesting stuff.

@Bonanza what you said about opiate addicts/users and spice really hits home for me because my best friend was introduced to smoking oxys at a young age (16) by his older sister and was quickly in the hands of possible opiate addiction.
Since then, I've introduced him to psychedelics many times, but he does not like them one bit. I always hoped that maybe psychedelics could open his mind to the fact that opiates are not good for him as a person. (Which may be considered misguided, but after trying things such as just trying to talk it out to no avail. I felt that it was a viable option to explore, and that the possible benefits outweighed the risks)
I wonder why it is that there seems to be a correlation between opiate addiction and a distaste for psychedelics
When I was a child I was diagnosed with ADD and was required to take amphetamines daily. I also tested at a much higher level IQ than a vast majority of kids in my age group. Now, I have a high affinity for the psychedelic experience, but have yet to experience spice. However, I feel this anecdotal evidence further supports both the theory of persons with high intelligence seeking novelties, and the theory of persons with a background of stimulant use having an affinity for psychedelics

@Traveler
I love that link. I feel that it essentially explains what I was attempting to convey in the OP when I said, "do you feel it is more likely that people with an above average intelligence are drawn to the DMT experience, and this is the reason most members here seem to be relatively insightful? "
Also vovin has a post with a thought essentially parallel to mine
"I don't think these research studies tell us anything a few hours on this board wont clearly show. People here in my experience tend to be more intelligent and far more capable of communicating effectively. It only takes a few minutes on just about any other non psychoactive board to see the stark contrast in membership."
Again brining us back to the same theory shown in the link. More intelligent people are drawn to novelties, such as a DMT or psychedelic experience

@Global
I definitely agree that while grammar and the like may not be the best intelligence test, it certainly does show some degree of astuteness in my opinion. Especially when compared to someone who wriTz licke thes which seems to be common on some forums

@SKA
I'm guessing you speak of this article: http://hscweb3.hsc.usf.e...onditioned-fear-in-mice/
Which cites this study: http://link.springer.com...0.1007/s00221-013-3579-0
That's all extremely interesting stuff, hopefully one day these substances can be taken off of Schedule 1 so more clinical testing can be done

@Makyo
I love that Einstein quote, and I believe from personal experience that it is very possible that Psychedelics can promote a healthy imagination

@Hiero
You're no idiot

@Kaaos
I agree. Psychedelics definitely helped me reprioritize my life, thus gearing me toward further academic and physical growth

I too have some experience with using psychedelics as tools in treating addiction. The details of my story can be found in my early posts.

I think a lot of addicts dislike psychedelics due to control issues. The mind of an addict tends to be one that seeks control; i.e. by taking their drug of choice, they have the power to control how they are feeling at any given time. The handful of psychedelic experiences I had while in periods of active use were less than pleasant, to say the least. I was terrified of relinquishing control and letting the drug run its course. It wasn't until one particularly meaningful experience on mushrooms, the experience which I view as a turning point in my addiction and my life, that I was able to actually enjoy and benefit from the psychedelic experience.

Was is a difficult trip?

I'll just say that there is a lot of different kinds of intelligence...More than you could ever even map really. I once knew a would-be Harvard mathematician who thinks the earth is 6,000 years old, for example. I won't even get into the IQ-test debate though.

When it comes to the cognitive benefits of psychedelics I think a lot depends on how you use and integrate these things. Like any tool you can beat yourself over the head with it if you want, or if your not careful, but I don't think these things were originally called mind-expanding agents for no reason.

and the ieda of prepor garmamr or seplilng benig a good idncitaor of oevrlal inetilglcnee semes rdiiucuols to be hnoest

Maybe not but you have to have a sense of humour and not take yourself too seriously or arrogance can rear it's ugly head. Intelligence combined with arrogance can manifest in false beliefs that can become ingrained and put the blinkers on when new concepts are discovered.

I'm quite happy to play dumb when the need arises, sometimes it's a good way to inspire others to divulge information that they would withhold from someone they perceive to be better educated or more intelligent. Idiots pose no threat to the ego of someone who prides themselves on their own intelligence.

I had my intelligence challenged by a six year old when I was 21 (I'll remember it forever) when I was a know it all. She told me that you can get more than one kind of passion fruit which I disputed. She took me into my own backyard and pointed out a yellow fruiting passion fruit hanging over my fence. I'd never seen one before. I've tried to remain humble ever since.

I have noted the correlation between intelligence and interest in psychedelics with my circle of friends, especially with the younger generation. Some of the kids these days are much more switched on than my circle of friends were when I was an adolescent.

Maybe it's just that I gravitate towards more intelligent people these days, I just can't associate with people with narrow minds anymore. There's only so much you can discuss about an internal combustion engine (like most of my original peer group still does constantly) without resorting to clichés and other mindless rubbish.

I agree, being humble is extremely important
It's a lesson we all learn at some point

Just anecdotally I would say spice helps with opiate addiction, as well. I am a recovering heroin addict and the spice has nearly squashed all the heroin dreams I used to get and cravings

for heroin are pretty much gone. I guess I might be an exception since I was into psychedelics before I got into heroin, and I was always a proponent of psychedelics. I think if someone is

receptive to the change that needs to occur to break the cycle of addiction, then psychedelics of any variety can greatly help them get to that place. If the person does not want to change

a psychedelic experience is not going to give them the push towards that change. The person needs to want to change, and I see opiate addicts being a lot more set in their ways than

amphetamine addicts. I think if that person is at the point where they actively seek out help through spice or psychedelics, they're receptive enough already to gain at least a little

insight into their addictions.

I too was a heroin addict.... 2 grams a day into my arm :/ I have always been a promoter of pyschedelics but didn't understand the healing power til I started extracting DMT and working with the alkaloid. I've been clean for 160 days and a huge part of that is that after having many breakthroughs on DMT, how could anyone want to do heroin again?! My love for the molecule also takes up very much of my time. I'm always thinking about it. Sometimes my girl even tells me that I know/ talk about it too much xD ..... but its really changed my life so much I can't help it.

Congratulations! From the ages of 22-27 I was off and on for a long time, with only about a year of clean time as the most I have ever done. I'm pushing two years come October this go

around, and breakthroughs have definitely helped guide me away from that destruction. Lost a lot of good friends to opiates and addiction in general, and hopefully I can impart some wisdom

about what I've been through and how I got to where I am now to anyone who is struggling with the same bullshit I went through.

Wow very inspiring you two! And congratulations!!! Keep It up
I asked my friend if and why he feels that opiate users have a hard time with psychedelics and his answer was simply that he can't stand the paranoia he gets from them
It also seems likely that an opiate user could just be unreceptive to change. Most opiate users I know just refer to using as "getting well"
It seems that, at least in my cirlcle, they just care about getting some type of euphoria, and because their lives aren't going the way they really want, when they take psychedelics there a lot more difficult lessons to be learned and no time for enjoyable giggles or spiritual uplifting

For me it was a hole that needed to be filled and I filled it by stuffing my arms full of junk. It's why I am such a big advocate of harm reduction and education, because there almost

always is an underlying issue that causes the need to dull the senses to the point of numbness. Mine was social anxieties and deep depression, and once I started addressing that stuff the

need to fill the empty hole inside of me was drastically reduced. Spice just reaffirms what I gained through focusing on my problems and why they led me to IV heroin abuse, that we are all

one, connected to something greater, and love is the path to be on. Life isn't meant to be lived constrained/chained to a chemical.

Wow man, again congratulations on reevaluating your priorities


So it was hard work that got you clean
And spice not only reaffirmed that what you did was good and worth it, but helped fill that void
Correct?