I'm not sure if anybody has encountered this, but recently people have been asking me about my experience and they appear genuinely interested. However, some of them cannot seen to move past the stereotype that substances such as this 'make you crazy' or 'lose your grip on reality'. Yet when I try to explain that they expand your mind, makes reality even more interesting and often helps you become a better person. All of this is either immediately disregarded as 'hippy nonsense' or people just give me a look that says 'I love how crazy you are'.

It's frustrating to say the least, even more so as a lot of these people are very curious about psychedelics and you get the feeling that they would be taking these substances if they could just move past this idea of it being 'taboo'. It's weird to think that its considered fashionable to be that cynical, critical and independent 'modern' thinker, yet this attitude rarely extends itself towards psychedelics (not saying that I'm a fan of this cynicism).

Ah the world, it sure does frustrate me at times!

Has anyone else encountered any issues like this?

P.S I'm not telling people they SHOULD take psychedelics, as (in my view) that's a deeply personal decision. I just wish people could think critically about the information the government gives about any sort of substance.

Sure we all encounter this I'd imagine. the best solution is to demonstrate via your life that your psychedelic usage does in fact expand your mind and doesn't limit your life. The more of us doing this the harder it will be to deny as time goes on.

Yeah thats a really good way of getting past the problem!
I actually hadn't thought about it that way, I had just been trying to verbally defend my position. It's time to show them positively how they're wrong

Yes many times I've encountered this. It tells me that they are not ready for it. Then I won't talk about it no more with them unless they are absolutely willing to listen with an open mind. Then I tell them to research for themselves and to not just take my word for it.

Sadly this is the way society is, but more and more it's easing up. In the meantime though I don't think it'll be accepted as readily as alcohol, mj, or even pills.

It is frustrating though to say the least.

Just like Joe dirt said, we will have to just lead by example.

The only way to combat ignorance is with education. If someone chooses not to inform themselves about these substances then that is willful ignorance. To disregard anything without first learning about it is a folly.

These substances can be great teachers. You need to become a student first, willing and open to learn. Expand. Evolve.

"Empty your cup." is a Chinese proverb.

From wiki: Shoshin or "beginners mind" in Zen Buddhism is an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner in that subject would.

If someone's cup is already full you will not be able to put anything else in there. Just enjoy that you can see them overflow. These lessons are not for everyone.

Completely agree, some people are just too "culturalized" and it does not really matter how you approach the topic, it will not pierce through.

I think the best you can do with this kind of people is to plant a doubt in them that slowly but surely will bring them closer to a level of openness which will make an honest talk possible. What will work depends entirely on the kind of person.

Until then try not to waste your energy on the ones you cannot save...

yes I agree completely, but its more like the population are being misguided away from what should seem the correct way.

some people are blinded to it, they've lost the inquisitive nature and given up for a life of norms. brain washed even

Watch rupert sheldrake's ted talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKHUaNAxsTg

here's the view i take on it; erowid oftenly tries to tell you to state "i experienced being opened to thoughts." instead of saying "psychedelics open your minnd". when you say "i" it details your personal account. this is a good way of going about it.

then there's education; like telling them to just say KNOW! and do their research. tell them about MAPS. tell them about erowid or DMT nexus or Bluelight. tell them that they should do their own research before making up an assumption about psychedelics.

sometimes some people just don't care. that's okay... and there's nothing wrong with it. but when we assume that psychedelics will cause harm we are most likely full of crap. it's simply mis information and sometimes you just need to simply state the truth to the best of your abilities.

psychedelics are very non toxic or at least contain an extreemly low level of toxicity. psychedelics only influence the chemical balance of the brain temporarily. psychedelics wear off; your body will metabolize them. remind such people that psychedelics have a half life; tell them the type of half life with whatever psychedelic you are discussing.

sometimes people won't listen. those people aren't willing to listen and don't have patience to listen. i always listen to everyone's side of their own little coin. i listen to propagandists. i listen to people who are Anti-drug. and i listen to the government. this doesn't mean i have to accept what i listen to as truth. you could remind them of this concept; that their opinion is ultimately theirs in the end.

always try to seperate your opinion from theirs. always try to express your opinion with respect; even if they antagonize you or belittle you. always try to voice responsability, harm reduction, and education when talking about any psychoactive substance; psychedelic or not. always be prepared to be let down that not everyone shares your interests or that not everyone will care enough to at least listen.

life is one of those complicated things that we share. we don't own other peoples realities; we just share the space that they exist in. with that said; ignorant people better not be trashing my reality just because they think their reality is better or more mature/intelligent. clearly i can at least express my opinion without infringing upon other peoples opinion; which portrays intelligence and maturity.

Tell people to stop watching TV and read newspaper or listen to the radio and start using their own brain and make their own opinion on everything. Do their own research. Its all here on the net.

You can not teach anything new to narrow-minded brainwashed people. I cant even show my own mum how bad smoking is for her or how bad is her lifestyle. She will just not listen. She is willing to die and suffer then rather do something about it. This is reality of today's robotic society and it is not getting better.

It is painful to watch but as said above you can only change someone by your own example. People see you and may want to change. But this change has to come from inside them self's.

I think that its not too entirely hopless; it just depends on the individual. not all brainwashed people are entirely closed off to other people's opinions. at the same time; i strongly agree that alot of people are hard to communicate with.

When i first started walking this path, i was very excited and could feel the change that had occurred in me. But to the rest of the world, i was still the same selfish junky asshole (sorry, is what it is). Only now, several years later, the same people who gave the the reactions you describe in OP (or worse) are coming back to ask me about it. People are seeing the change in me now, as I am NOT the same selfish jerk and i give DMT all the credit. People i know still struggling with self hate, addiction and depression are asking for help. So yes, all the advice here is useful. Be a guide for people by who you are.

Be who u are. If they want what you have then its easy to share. If they don't well then they dont

Im always more than willing to throw some to a junkie and tell him to think long and hard about what he's doing. And I guarantee everytime he does it he thinks a little harder about his addictions. And woth a little hope he can make them nonexistent. And knowing that just gives me a sense of pride that what were doing here really is incredible. Not to mention the future of course.

Dr. Sues once said:

be who you are because the people that mind don't matter and the people that matter don't mind

the fredsta, A useful perspective to relate to your(our) uninitiated brethren might be to remind them that the psychedelic engendered mystic state is a human birthright. The capacity to experience this ecstasis, via entheogens or otherwise IS a potentiality of ALL(or at least most) human psyches. Analogous to sexual orgasm, entheogenic "orgasm" is a characteristic INNATE to everyone, requiring only the application or the required "stimulus".

The sensibility that, as novel as the ego-dissolving states may sound(and are), they are indeed deeply embedded in our very nature as humans and have been experienced/sought by peoples of all cultures since antiquity. Most probably the entheogenic ecstatic state is the root of ALL religious and mythologic metaphor.

Sadly, modern Westernized culture represses this vital connection to our HUMAN wellspring. Along with this repression, is a complete absence of the guided initiatory practices that safely taught this magical lore, and how to use it wisely, to each successive generation.

Fredsta, consider yourself a fortunate link to the ANCIENT wisdom that informs our very HUMANITY. Respect youself and others and the lore to which you are privy. Gently inform your family and friends through your wise and temperate use of the "sacred tools". "The student will find the teacher"!

Cognitive dissonance

joedirt nailed it.

When talking about psychedelics I like to describe a fictional analogy and gauge the listener's response before jumping right in. I might say something like:

"If an alien came down to Earth and planted trees with fruits that could give you insight on who you really were, and provide an unbiased viewpoint of your life actions, but the government soon banned the fruit based on false claims that it makes you crazy, would you eat this fruit, even if everyone else believed the government's claims?"

If the listener says no, then don't go on. Otherwise, I slowly edge my way to the main topic.

Or, I might begin with a discussion on how studies have shown psychedelics to be effective at treating addiction, PTSD, etc. and slowly nudge my way into discussion on why they are safe.

^Genesis