Whenever I talk with someone, I always end up talking about big issues. I can't do small talk, I find it incredibly boring. I'd rather talk about ideas. So when people ask me where I get my philosophies from, I say from past and present philosophers, the world around me, meditation, brooding and psychedelics. I then find myself at some point talking about DMT. This happens very often. Actually, almost every person I meet. I go through everything I know about it.

I feel like I talk about it too much.

Am I the only one doing this? Should I stop doing it? I just want to share this amazing thing with as many people as I can.

There needed to be a 'Like' button for this post.

But I don't see a problem, you are passionate about it, and at least its something fresh for other people to hear. It also informs people that its not a "meth lab" drug. I guess it's all about the delivery!

AAAND, how often you unwillingly subjected to someone else's boring life in general conversation?

spreading the word is all well and good, especially if you can dispell myths, but if you talk to everyone keep in mind that loose lips sink ships.

what we do is very illegal

To paraphrase the other McKenns, Dennis, what could be more interesting to talk about?

My whole family knows what I am up to - I even took them to Peru for my wedding which was performed by my friend and San Pedro shaman as well as a Q'ero paqo (similar to shaman). Actually, now they cant stop asking me about San Pedro and I think a few of them want to try it

I also have my face on a book I wrote about psychedelics and a very public website, and I host free monthly discussion groups on Plant Medicines.... Not to mention a retreat I host in Peru that I end up talking about a lot.... So I am pretty public and open about what I do and end up talking about this stuff all the time. Most people though are people with an interest in this material (otherwise why would they buy my book or come to the group meetings?)

Even if anyone asks me what I do for work or what I have been up to lately - then I have to talk about psychedelics unless I want to lie to them.... I never really see a reason to lie. They are a central aspect to much of my life so it is hard for it not to pop into conversations sometimes.

Took me years to get this comfortable with sharing things, and some might say it is dangerous, but I feel called to lead the change I want to see in the world.... Kinda like how gay people claimed you cannot get civil rights unless you are open about who you are - and being in the closet just keeps gay rights down.... I wouldnt push that on anyone else, but that is how I feel for myself. (kinda a personal calling) I think I am also lucky that where I live these things are fairly accepted and popular compared to some other places....

I don't go around and shove my knowledge in other people faces, that would be wrong but if anybody is curious and open minded I am an open book to the subject and happy to share my experience. I'm also inclined to agree with 3rdI on his/her opinion.

The more he saw, the less he said.

Never. I agree with 3rdi. I only talk about DMT with people who also use DMT, or at least use some other psychedelic.

My significant other is the only one I really talk about DMT with but she partakes with me of course! My family doesn't approve or understand and most of my friends stick to alcohol or good ol' marijuana!

But that is just fine! I'm not real keen on saying," hi, I know we just met but I like to use incredibly powerful psychedelics on a fairly regular basis. What do you do?"

That is why I like the Nexus so much. Everyone is talking about it in some form or fashion all day long! Never a dull moment here!


Peace

When I was young & much, much more idealistic, I would tell everyone that would bother to listen about psychedelics.

At some point along the line I was thrown in a mental ward for a complete, 3-day evaluation.

That calmed me down a bit.

Later I would be incarcerated (luckily for a very short time) by the (U.S.) feds for possession of LSD.

That shut me up pretty much for good, other than those that I know who actually partake of psychedelics.

For the most part I follow this:



If a conversation about DMT comes up I try to keep it fairly general. For example, I'll direct people to the documentary or the book.

Even with fellow psychonauts, I direct them here instead of giving details.

I see. I tend to only talk to people that are open minded enough anyway. I don't introduce DMT randomly. It just gets introduced naturally.

I get blank stares from just about everyone I talk to about psychedelics. I get blank stares anyway but I get the stare and the bonus slight scrunch in the face as soon as I mention psychedelics.

I have attempted to recruit friends but they stick with the suds and buds. I have some mushrooms for camping this summer and will bust them out as a surprise. To my knowledge that is the only psychedelics any of my buddies ingest.

In general I do not mention anything about psychedelics until the other person does. Then I kind of feel around before I mention how involved I am with these substances. I have found that I have been breaking this rule lately. It usually stems from conversations about philosophy and life and I would mention some experience I had with psychedelics which related to the topic. DMT and psychedelics in general have provided me with very unique knowledge and experiences that highly influence all aspects of my life. The profundity of psychedelics in my life makes me feel like talking to everyone I see about them, yet I remain silent most of the time. I would like to be more open about psychedelics but I just try and be careful and tactful.

I enjoy the nexus for this reason. I can relate so much to what other psychonauts say. We have our own language and way at looking at the universe. We all want to travel the unique and interesting path. As soon as I meet a fellow psychonaut I feel at instant ease! LOL I really do! I just love fellow travelers!! Instant kinship!

I know that feeling. You could be describing something to a fellow psychonaut and they completely understand everything you say. To an outsider, it would seem vague and nothing they can relate with. Probably why we, as psychonauts, cannot accurately describe any psychedelic feeling to a non-psychonaut. You say yourself "We have our own language and way at looking at the universe." I whole-hreatedly agree with this. It's hard to speak to someone if you don't share a common language.

Which is why I translate what I learn from psychedelics in an easy to understand format. And that format is love and harmony. I try to spread this message as much as I can. Many people are alien to psychedelia, but are not alien to love.

Bodhisativa: Think about what it must be like for someone who doesn't 'get' it.

"Let me tell you how my life philosophies are shaped by the experiences I have in a parallel dimension I can only enter after taking this drug, and which is full of giant bugs and aliens, and you probably won't get it anyway unless you try it."

I'm a psychonaut and sometimes I still get confused or put off by some things other users say.

Blessings
~ND

I get this.... Maybe I find less problems here because I dont need plants to talk with spirits, but just go deeper when I work with plants instead of meditation. Since I practice meditation and non-plant based altered states I can often relate to people through either subject - maybe it seems less "druggy" when I explain things that way....

I recently had someone say "Why do you need to make these spiritual claims - why not just admit you like getting high."

To which I replied: "sure, getting high sometimes is fun, but fasting and drinking Ayahuasca often isnt so fun - sometimes it is incredibly difficult and painful and unpleasant in every way.... But I feel like it teaches me and benefits me in many ways in my life, so I keep doing it."

That made them think

Well said, Travsha! If only everyone could be open minded, society could begin moving forward as a whole. It is pretty silly that we have to censor ourselves in certain situations. Or when we are around a certain kind of person/people. But everyone has their own opinions and they are entitled to it, I suppose. Perhaps, with time, people will learn and change their views on such matters. In reality it doesn't matter too much because we can't convince/change everyone anyway.

We can, however, try to educate them and help stop the spreading of misinformation. One step at a time!

I don't talk about psychedelics with anyone unless I know they are on board. Sometimes I might talk in a roundabout way to test the ground. Most of my friends are opened minded, especially to the possibilities of what these plants can do so we can talk about it. Sadly, however, I know far more people whose attitude is to just label any illegal substance as all drugs are equal and therefore it's bad and those who partake need to "grow up". To which in the future I would like to respond "I am growing, that's why I'm exploring this stuff"