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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ต.ค. 2014
- Can Psychedelics Help You Expand Your Mind?
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Sam Harris discusses the virtues of psychedelics such as LSD and MDMA. While he does not condone the use of these drugs without caveat, he does acknowledge their profound consciousness-altering properties.
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SAM HARRIS:
Sam Harris is the author of the New York Times bestsellers, The End of Faith and Letter to a Christian Nation. The End of Faith won the 2005 PEN Award for Nonfiction.
Mr. Harris' writing has been published in over ten languages. He and his work have been discussed in Newsweek, TIME, The New York Times, Scientific American, Rolling Stone, and many other journals. His writing has appeared in Newsweek, The Los Angeles Times, The Times (London), The Boston Globe, The Atlantic, Nature, The Annals of Neurology, and elsewhere.
Mr. Harris is a graduate in philosophy from Stanford University and holds a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA, where he studied the neural basis of belief with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). He is also a Co-Founder and CEO of Project Reason.
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TRANSCRIPT:
Sam Harris: Well many people ask me about the virtues of psychedelics because I’ve written about this on my blog and in my book Waking Up. And they were at a point early in my inquiry they were indispensable and this is an experience that’s shared by many Westerners. It’s hard to really recommend psychedelics without serious caveats because some of them I think are probably neurotoxic. Some are really well tolerated but still you can have very scary destabilizing experiences on them. So you just can’t without a caveat recommend that people drop acid or take MDMA. So it’s - everything I say on the subject should be understood in that context. But for some people taking a drug is the only way they’re going to notice that it’s possible to have a very different experience of the world. They’re sufficiently lumpen and uninquisitive about the nature of their own minds that if you tell them to meditate, if you teach them mindfulness, if you tell them how to follow their breath they will look inside for 30 seconds or 30 minutes and see nothing of interest and walk away feeling that there’s no there there. Either it doesn’t work for them or that everyone else must be just faking it or there’s - it requires a certain talent and a certain degree of luck, therefore, to have enough concentration to connect with any “spiritual practice” the first time or even the tenth time or even after a year of attempting it because it’s just - these practices are difficult and the conditioning of our minds to just ceaselessly talk is deep.
So, as Terence McKenna once said, “Psychedelics are the only method that truly guarantee an effect.” And this effect can be, again, very painful. You’re not necessarily going to have a good experience but there’s no question that if someone gives you 100 micrograms of acid something is going to happen. Two hours later the significance of your existence will have just been borne down on you like an avalanche. And again this can be terrifying or it can be absolutely sublime depending on various causes and conditions. But the one thing it cannot be is boring. And that is you can’t say that about yoga or meditation or just going into solitude or anything else that - any other, you know, non-pharmacological means of inquiry. So, where drugs have been indispensable for many people is in advertising the possibility of a change in consciousness. And so I don’t think they’re durable methods for people that - I don’t think you need or should just keep taking drugs month after month, year after year, as a mode of spiritual inquiry. But there’s certainly a period in many people’s lives at the beginning where you wouldn’t even see a glimmer of reason to suspect that a radical change in the nature of your experience would be possible.
My first experience with psychedelics that was important, that actually shifted my view of human possibility was with MDMA which I took before it became a club drug. I think this was in 1987 I took it. And no one I knew, no one of my generation had taken it. And although the drug obviously goes back many decades before that. And it had not been adopted by popular culture as a party drug. So this was coming pretty much coming out of the therapeutic community. People were doing in a closeted way psychotherapy with it. And I took it as a means of discovering something about the nature of my mind. It was not...
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@@Abcdef12396U
Psychedelics saved me from years of uncontrollable depression, anxiety and illicit pill addiction. Imagine carrying heavy chains for over a decade and then all of a sudden that burden is gone. Believe it or not in a couple years they'll be all over for treatment of mental health related issues.
Please does anyone know where I can source? I put so much on my plate and it really affects my stress and anxiety levels, I would love to try shrooms
Yes, Doctor.coxx
Doctor.coxx is the best, he has been my go to for anything psychedelics.
Is he on instgram?
Everyone just keep in mind what you get at clubs/festivals is cheaply synthesized and typically cut with additives. You can thank the war on drugs for maintaining danger
depressing truth :/
delerium2k yep, prohibition poisons children
Yea its really fucked up, so much mdma is actually chemicals like methylone or mephedrone. And most LSD are these nbome drugs or dox
delerium2k silk road :)
Sr is dead
Sam Harris has developed a permanent eye-brow raise from all the profundities he has said.
Hah!
I noticed it too!
I think its just the fact that his face is not symmetrical. His eyes are not level. So his eyebrow may be like that too
What came first the chicken or the egg?
BUD7H357UD
His eyebrow is obviously a symbiotic organism living on his face. He lost his real eyebrow as a child, and now wears a Caterpillar and lets it feed on his flesh..
I had my first LSD trip yesterday. I can not begin to put into words what I have experienced. It completely changed how I view the world and other people around me. I can only describe it as seeing reality in it's more rawest and purest form possible. I think it is the greatest experience a human can ever have, it was that mind blowing!
Follow the handle above ⬆️⬆️ ⬆️on IG
All psychedelics 🍄🍄💊💊🍫🍫🍫available for shipping to any location globally
Yes that is intrinsic freedom and divinity of consciousness. Imagine having a glimpse of that freedom on demand via meditation
Does anyone else think that most of the time the people judging drugs are the ones that never tried them and/ or know little about them? Get off your high horses. Never doing drugs in your life doesn't make you superior.
I hate when people judge or give their opinion about something when they have no knowledge about it.
Not really. One side is observant, while the other is ignorant. That doesn't go both ways.
I never said I took drugs. I said I hate when people judge drug users without any drug knowledge. That's ignorant.
Can you give examples or clarify what you mean by "it goes both ways". You're being vague, and simply throwing that into the discussion without any responsibility of what your actual point is.
Great response. I agree somewhat, but I think it's also important to acknowledge the reason for that inexperienced opinion. Modern society is very normalizing - we are expected to feel and think and act the same way. Psychedelics are a great way to break out from that and see that there are other possibilities.
But without having experienced that through meditation, psychedelics, sports (you better believe the runner's high is a real thing - that was my gateway), performing, etc you have no idea what those other perspectives are. I do genuinely think that there is a lack of understanding in not having stepped outside of that box.
But you're right, we do need to be careful about stigmatizing those "normal" perspectives. Many people are perfectly happy inside the box, and stepping outside of that box for some people may expose them to more instability than they can handle (or more than they can handle in their present circumstances). Also, does the loving father of 3 really need to experience MDMA? Is he experiencing something which the 18 year old kid who's tried MDMA has never experienced? (yeah I'm pretty sure he is, and his positive impact on others is probably greater than your stereotypical 60s hippy stoner)
"I was with a friend and we had a conversation". Can you imagine taking mdma and talking to a young Sam Harris for hours? Blows my mind.
warezpl0 I was gonna say this myself but figured I’d search the comment section to see if anyone had beat me to it
warezpl0 it would start a error in Matrix for me, I think my brain would colapse
He was 18, it probably lead to his personality developing into the Sam we know and love. It would be more like meeting the man just before he found his way, we would see the seeds taking root into the man man we know today.
I would love to meet that guy :P
u thinking like this is what makes u beta.
He seems to explain things flawlessly every time. He never seems to have trouble articulating, in words, his emotions and feelings about any given idea. Sam is an intellectual like none other.
Keith B Terrence mckenna can also articulate as well as he can. But unfortunately didn't have as much training in neuroscience.
mckenna had an inflection and charisma that i can only describe as intoxicating. I like how sam harris is a little more grounded in reality. I don't think mckenna was crazy, per se; but he seemed to have some pretty far-out notions toward science. I still think he's awesome, though.
Alan Watts.
Jordan Peterson mah dude
I strive to be this intelligent one day
Sam's realization of the manifestation of loving kindness is clearly expressed. He indirectly points out that the path to universal love necessitates the removal of self.
+Norsang Kelsang Nice Noble Eightfold Path picture :D
love your eight fold path avatar
+Norsang Kelsang not of self. of FEAR! we cant keep living on the extremes. the ocident is all about the culture of the self! one extreme...the orient is the extreme of the culture of the non self...another extreme! here..in the ocident we have lots of ppl going nuts with egoistic mental patterns that get them to have the worst life experiences. same on the orient where ppl forget life and rot in the riverside forgeting they have a world to experience. and thats a problem there! you take out fear, and theres no need to nullify anything.
it feels like a spiritual orgasm. full ego-death universe connected love.
There's different ways to get to it. Different strokes for different folks.
I found it impossible to concentrate or meditate when I was eating a standard American diet. The brain is tightly connected with the gut. Got healthy, and the mind became an alternate universe of joys, insights, memories, and connection. Drugs, sure. Meditate, great. But you gotta learn to be healthy first.
If you're reading this: Peace and Love to you, may you be happy forever and find what you truely want.
woow you too, have a nice and chill space-time as much as possible,,
momyluvsu2 I'm high right now while reading It. you are such a good person. I love you too and hope you have success wherever you go. peace 😊😁
Jonathan Corbett Dont do it. There are hundreds of thousands of things you can do to enjoy life. Even if life has no meaning you can still have fun while you are here. Thats the way i see it.
Word
You fucking hippie......
Making me feel all loved and shit.
Sam Harris is so reasonable. He is very selective of his phrases.
+Keith Turner Exactly (and yet people still manage to constantly take him out of context). I wish I was as good at communicating my thoughts verbally.
+Keith Turner the sign of someone who know s the power of his words and chooses them with care
In his discussions with other "experts" there are times when there is a clear difference of beliefs. I have yet to see Sam eager to put down the opposing view, to jump into the fray with a lacerating comment that "destroys" his opponent. I respect him for his measured responses, being careful of what he says.
All his Big Think talks are passages from his books
Keith Turner Not the best atheist thinker, though. You can do better than Harris. He's great as a neuroscientist and counter apologist, not so great in interpreting, understanding, and engaging with Islam. He, like Hitchens did, underestimates the role the US and the Soviets played in the development of Islamist terrorism, and neither of them really understood how large and diverse a religion Islam is. Like Christianity, Islam is not really one religion with one set of beliefs - it is many religions with many sets of beliefs. The jihadist terrorist groups are an insignificantly tiny portion of all Muslims and new age atheists don't seem to get this at all.
Replace best friend with hermit crab, and we had the same drug experience.
X Smith Hahahahaha
Lol
My ego lost it's ego on mushrooms and now I self-identify as the nothing in which everything happens.
+ImmortaLTech1423 .... in Sam's "Waking Up ~ spirituality without religion" book, he has a great description of a woman who spends a week THINKING she is having no thoughts. The eternity of nothingness is not only "available" to all of us,... it is our inevitable conclusion. The only problem is that once we "get there," there won't be any "vehicle" (as the Heaven's Gater's might refer to the body/being) to actually do the FEELING of that "blissful love" of nothingness... on the brighter side, there also won't be a "vehicle" to actually FEEL the painful cold reality of the great abyss of nothingness, either.... potentially "humanity" (especially with the "help" of Tech (or more probably by being swallowed by the Tech we spawn) might be able to achieve something approaching immortal, but our individual fleeting glimmers of existence have only the potential to be the tiniest microbial part in the grand undertaking of our collective consciousness.... blahblahblah.
+◯ Advaita You are fortunate, psychoactive substances really fucked me up. But I mishandled the whole situation.
valinor I'm sorry to hear that. I should say that I was a psychedelic fan-boy before I ever tried them.. And did it in the best possible setting..
◯ Advaita
I had an underlying psychiatric condition too. Suicidal anxiety and a benzo addiction followed. Ten yeas later and I am still not the same, despite a hell of a lot of work and a lot of help too. I keep hoping that when I finally manage to integrate the experience the payoff will be worth it, but it is not looking very encouraging at this incredibly incremental rate, with the tools I have now.
I would be in despair if the science of mind was not advancing so quickly that I can realistically expect the development of powerful new tools to put an eventual end to this, even if it takes 20 years.
+chris mclaughlin .... sorry, I realize the question wasn't aimed at me... but it reminds me of a time when I mentioned to a colleague that I tend/seem to "want to be where I am at" ... which I said/meant as a sort of excuse/rationale ("complaint"?) for my resistance/sloth in "pushing forward," (into the abyss of "change"? :-o "scary stuff, huh kids" (as that SSTV count guy would say).... but she heard it and echoed it back to me as if I truly had the very admirable trait of enjoying THIS moment (since I'll never be "in" any other one than the present one). . . .Most tales (and perhaps many adventures into "enlightenment") seem to end with the full-circle conclusion that "there's no place like home" and/or that "you had the 'key' within you the whole journey" and once you got back to the beginning, the only thing that "changed" was a profound understanding/appreciation for (and recognition of) the "gift" of the PRESENT moment, right HERE... where else could we be if not here-and-now? .. . .Oh.... wait.... for only $19.95, I have a magic button that will take you to there-and-then ... but be warned...the weather it pretty similar in the there-and-then and.... "wherever you go..... there you are"
He mentions Terence Mckenna, this gives him instant respect imo. Great talk. Thanks for the knowledge.
delusionnnnn yeah well you probably lack 5 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms in silent darkness.
delusionnnnn Lol. Do you think for yourself or do you let the masses do it for you? Just because Terrance dabled heavily in psychadelics doesn't make him a fool. He was a very intelligent man who had a lot of really good things to say. If nothing else you could take away that he promoted peace and love across the world and if you can't get on board with that then why are you even here?
You're right and I apologize for my statement. I have a problem with getting overly defensive about things that I believe in. I'm guessing with your last sentence you are referring to Terrance McKenna's claim that Psylocibin and DMT have spiritual qualities. While I am not 100% on board with this claim I do think that there is more to DMT than just chemical processes. I urge you to watch "DMT: The Spirit Molecule". I believe it's still on Netflix and looks into the possibility of DMT opening the mind to higher forms of consciousness. Very fascinating.
Disobaying EGO I do lol. I'd rather listen to Terence directly tbh (;
delusionnnnn Terence's philosophies would probably go right over your head. Have you ever even taken psychedelics before? If you haven't then that is why you're skeptical.
I could not agree more.
*Every adult should have the legal right to experiment with LSD, shrooms, etc* at least in some context.
vulvatronic if you need permission you're doing it wrong.
Only problem is the bat shit addicts. Those people creep me the fuck out.
weed and dmt are the best. lsd and shrooms are okay. alcohol and cigars are bad. heroin, cocain and meth are the worst.
@@ShadowZZZ nah shrooms are defo better than weed
Christ Harris has a brilliant command of language.
+BroadcastThis2me Sam's brother.
+thepassionofthegoose That's different than wisdom.
Thank you Ben Stiller. Great talking points.
Taking acid made me realize how beautiful the world truly is.
It's not that I was depressed or thought that the world is not beautiful.
But it sort of opened my eyes. After the trip I understood that the world is so much more beautiful if you look hard enough.
I had this experience sitting in class without drugs I just suddenly realized we all live the same life we are not separate we are one and felt love toward everyone.
Sam is such a decent, intelligent man. He is the one modern scientist/philosopher that really resonates with me on a multitude of different levels, some of which I can't fully explain.
The idea of trying psychedelics has floated around in my head for a bit. Does anybody have any suggestions for someone who has had significant anxiety in the recent past, who wants to try psychedelics? I still have anxiety to more heavy degree than the average lad, and am worried about having a bad experience as a result.
+morgan brown I'd recommend precisely what Sam did for his first trip. MDMA and your best friend.
It's hard to go wrong on MDMA, but it's not like LSD. You don't feel like you're tripping at all; your mind is crystal clear and your body feels amazing (it's an amphetamine afterall). Being on LSD is a task. There is always an underlying uncomfortable feeling stuck in the back of your head, but this is surpressed by the amazing euphoria at the peak where your mind is just spilled across the whole universe. Set and setting is key; be in a good state mentally and physically, and be with good friends in a familiar place.
Erowid is a good place to start. The better you can program your psychedelic experience, the more you'll get out of it. Really understand the substance before you do it because any little doubt or regret during the trip can send you south. Psychedelics isn't a method to reach a certain level of intoxication, but a method to reach another space and that's exactly how it should be treated as. The more effort you put into preping (music, food, scene, vibe...) the better it'll be. Just like any spaces, there'll always be dark corners so really understand it before you go.
start with small doses. get a feel for the drug before u dive in head first
*Postman walks through the door*
Sam Harris: I love you man! You mean so much to me. Let's dance together bro, like old times.
*Postman, licking some stamps, stops abruptly with a look of complete realization on his face*
Postman: Oh man, this is trippy. A giant fish is sitting on the couch professing his love for me. Maybe I should have only licked 1 stamp. But now that I think about it, I *DO* love fish. Come here fish! Give me a hug.
*Postman and Sam Harris embrace*
+thesuicidefox This is beautiful.
+thesuicidefox Fish are people too maaaan
*****
+PlanetEarth Trimtab Yeah, what a loser. Drugs are only for the cool kids.
***** Something being stand-alone odd, like her/his apparently nonsensical numbering system isn't really a non-sequitur. I realise you want to use the term, but...
A non-sequitur is something that doesn't logically follow from something else. So, his/her comment was a non-sequitur, but to call the numbering system "non-sequitur" doesn't quite make sense.
Something that's absurd or nonsensical in itself, isn't a non-sequitur. It has to purport to follow from something else.
Ergo, bananas.
I realise you'll probably argue that point, but I'm just letting you know how the term is commonly used. Ignore this if you wish. (But you'll continue to sound like someone whose enthusiasm to use a new word outweighs their understanding of what it actually means).
We've all been there, so please don't be offended.
Also, when you assume people don't possess certain bits of knowledge, it can actually make it seem as if you are the one who is lacking. I'm sure you've heard of the dunning-kreuger effect.
(People of low abilities underestimate the abilities of others, and hence overestimate their own). So when you underestimate the abilities or knowledge of others, it may lead some to believe that the deficiency lies with you.
Anyway, I'm sorry if this sounds condescending, but I really don't mean it that way. Please don't take offense. We all make mistakes, but seeing as you just suggested I'm crazy, I felt entitled to point out some of yours.
Psychedelics have taught me how to love others and to love myself. They have very valuable (and sometimes difficult) lessons to give, if one is only willing to listen. I wish he had talked about his experience with LSD as well. Thank you for talking about this, Mr. Harris.
Beautifully spoken. I can tell it took years to somehow integrate this with your intellectual. Im searching for the same clarity in life. I felt inspiration watching this. Thanks sir.
Very, very good video: explained clearly and to the point. Thank You.
Wow, reference to Mckenna from Harris most unexpected. Very interesting.
Tom Baddeley many of these atheist visionaries connect with one another. McKenna, Harris, Hitchens, Hancock and to a lesser extent, Jordan Peterson.
Holy_Hand_Grenade-of-Antioch what? Jordan Peterson is very religious
Peterson has never publicly admitted he believes in God. He's not "very" religious, although obviously he's somewhat religious.
@@anssim928 he did admit that, yet he don't really believes in resurrection
@@gabriell7640 spiritual not religious.
I really wish the media hadn't brainwashed everyone into thinking drugs like LSD and MDMA are bad or unhealthy, the experiences you get off them are incredible, they are so real. I just wished people that think they are bad just tried it once in the right environment I garuntee you will have a new outlook maybe not on life but definitely on psychedelics. Weed is not the same as LSD I don't care how much you smoke, you wont experience the stuff you do on acid that you do on weed, drop some tabs :)
MDMA IS terrible for you, ya dingus.
Mdma is super bad for your brain
Stephen Goebbelcocque So is alcohol. And milk. And protein. In excess. Yes, MDMA can cause long lasting negative affects on your mind and body. However, in moderation it can be incredibly insightful. Just the same that in moderation alcohol can strengthen your liver and potentially improve your memory(that is a new study so don't quote me on it), and milk can strengthen your bones, and protein can help build muscle. Personally, I've had rough experiences with the overuse of MDMA(not and overdose but using it too much too often) and it can really mess you up, but it can also help you find your empathic center, help immensly with depression, and even help with addiction as can other psychadelics.
Stephen Goebbelcocque the 'possible' negative effects are worth it for the experience, like Joey said it should be used in moderation, taking it once or twice isn't going to ruin your life (unless you are bangin' 7g rocks like charlie sheen).
I'd rather take MDMA over drinking alcohol any day, cheaper too.
I mean...if you do anymore than a gram or two in one dose and you are more or less already dead.
Beautiful stuff,amazing talk!
Very well articulated on the loss of self concern and the epiphany of unconditional love for fellow conscious beings.
I do enjoy a good handful of shrooms and a long walk in the country 😊
Yeeeee
B00steDevil Double Yeeeee
what is the path that you take?
Mostly organic medicines but acid does just fine ;]
ron johnson his own i guess
It makes me happy that someone so logical and measured can/would speak glowingly on these subjects.
His eyebrows don't move
Yea...he might be an android.
His comments on having "MDMA like" experiences in meditative states, prompts me to share this related anticdotal experience. I hope it is of interest. I went to a Hypnotherapist, and was regressed to the natal or birth experience, it was an intense session, as I relived the sense of seperation, the pain, and the disorientation. However the most amazing thing happened, I remember the therapist guided me through saying, "Now you are warm and safe and at peace in your mother's arms, and she touches you gently". Suddenly I was in that unified state of estatic bliss, the sensation was that of a finger lightly touching the crown of my head, as if the entire universe just exspanded out from that touch. Weeks later I was gifted a copy of Rick Strassman's book DMT the spirit molecule. In it he explains how at death, and presumably birth as well, the pineal gland produces DMT. This could mean that what Sam is describing is related more to DMT than MDMA, which does not occur naturally in the body. Also my further research indicated that "not all people experience the DMT effect at birth", especially if the mother is given pain medication. This could be a relivant factor explaining why some people, as Sam stated, do not have access to naturally occuring altered states. Thanks again to my skilled and caring hypnotherapist, who taught me how to access my inner gifts.
personally, I've dealt with a lot of abuse as a child. Psychedelics bring out more of my true nature, help me realize the great beauty and fun this world can offer, and I really can look at myself, and appreciate myself for what/who I truly am deep down. When I am sober this is incredibly hard since I am so stubborn.
LSD is an experience that is truly out of this world, indescribable and so complex, words fail. Hope humanity realizes whats up, like literally, its that deep.
He understands. much respect for this guy
Very insightful and informative. As someone who is studying Psychotherapy and applying it, I wish you talked more about their experiences at the 4m mark.
Fantastic video, very open minded, feel like I can relate to his experiences
He can't advocate for putting MDMA in to the water supply, but you know he's thought about it. ;)
+BroadcastThis2me Clearly you misinterpreted my sarcasm. However, thank you for attempting to educate the small percentage of TH-cam users, who indeed do take the comment section seriously.
No.
That would be stupid and wouldn't change shit. He obviously wants to put LSD in the water not MDMA. LSD would change the world first off and second off MDMA taste like shit and LSD doesn't have a taste. Also LSD can't kill you and does no physical damage and is just overall way better than MDMA anyways.
+BroadcastThis2me lsd can stop cluster headaches which present themselves on mri as extreme seizures and it will not cause any mental problems that would not have presented themselves later in life lsd can only bring out mental illness if you are predisposed
+David Bulger Our neurotransmitters would completely deplete if that happened
+David Bulger ive thought about it ;)
This is the greatest explanation for how mdma feels i've seen. spot on
speaking from multiple experiences, always make sure you are comfortable with your surroundings (including the people you are with) to ensure a comfortable trip.
naked awareness of the moment, love it!
thank you great talk
I f*cking love Sam Harris and his work, gotta read his books soon, but in the meantime there's pretty much stuff of him in the internet.
***** And I wouldn't trust you for capitalizing "I's"; I don't think you even have a great understanding of English, let alone logic. You take on TH-cam comments as if you just learned how to type and that simply is sad. I see your actual argument as not well constructed and you should keep practicing.
***** Grim Theorist Relax there, oh fellow commenters!
I have the power to manage replies to this comment and will not be afraid to do something if shit gets real ;)
(religion is bullshit though)
Andy Flow I apologize. One of my favorite techniques is to mirror someone's idiocy right back in their face. You know, to show them how ridiculous they are being.
... but he *still* didn't capitalize his "I's"...!
***** If all that I had to go by were 2 poorly written sentences, then I'd believe neither. That's pretty simple. I basically just mirrored your original (unedited) comment back at you. So if you found it rude, then it's because I found you to be rude. That's how that tactic of mine works. I shove it back in your face. Most people realize they were being kinda lame, so they correct themselves and we all move on. Once in a while, you get someone that completely misses the point...
My real problem with you, or at least your comments, is just how easy it is to make the letter "I" capital. Like, to me, you just come off as incredibly lazy and uneducated. Yet, here you are, judging someone that capitalizes his I's.
Do you know why we have language and syntax? So we can understand each other. When you don't punctuate or properly capitalize (which isn't even remotely difficult), it shows that you put minimal effort into communicating clearly.
So, while I said nothing of your actual point, which I may or may not agree with, I did state my position on trusting you about what you did show me: your lack of ability/desire to capitalize the letter "I".
TH-cam is formal and it goes on your permanent record.
Grim Theorist I think you need to take a step back and look at yourself complaining about grammar on youtube towards, otherwise, a very coherent statement. He didn't even insulted the guy. He said his point, pointed out why and concluded it clearly. I can appreciate both points you are making as this channel is specifically made to stimulate philosophical and/or scientific conversations. The vitriol coming from you for proper capitalization? Not so much.
It is extremely hard to to describe the events and experiences you go through on a psychedelic experience. I wish I could so that everyone could see the world in an enlightened way before there time runs out. It's a tool, shouldn't be used as an abusive substance/don't see how you could. Great job conveying your thought on the matter, thank you.
Sam, keep up the great work! You're a pleasure to listen to.
I tried MDMA about 2 years ago, and it helped me incredibly. It helped me out of a deep depression
Watch Waking Life, no doubt Sam has, its a psychedelic movie made in Austin TX
+halifaxx55 Yeah that movie it's amazing
++bump
Holy shit can you imagine what would happen if we dropped MDMA into the water supply? Hahaha! Beautiful chaos.
Good video. Offers a balanced approach to psychedelics.
Thats a disturbing reality bigdawg xD its more fun to think of the positives! Lol
the water would taste very bad xD
I literally just thought about that yesterday but instead with Psilocybin (the main active ingredient in magic mushrooms)
The same experience happened to me and my friend roughly at the same age. It's a rather powerful movement that has certainly shifted my perception on life. We also found the entity who brought us these insights, which has lead us to a rich spiritual development with one another.
Sam, I have a mild brain injury. It cycles me up and down, not in a depressive way but like a weight, I am dragging, My mind is fog with only moments of clarity, On upcycles, I reach out to be nearly in a normal state and down cycles, it is a minute by minute survival. I am trying to come to terms with my new mind and seek to succeed in this new life of mine.
I spent 2 years arguing with a medical practitioner who insisted I had nothing wrong with my brain. No matter what I told her she would argue my problems were caused by something other than a head trauma. Ear ringing, headaches, vision problem, confusion, slurred speech, and balance issues, I have had it but emotional cycles.
Finally, I broke free and found an eye doctor and a head trauma doctor who took five minutes to listen to me. I have been in rehab/therapy or treatment if you will for three months. My low cycles are not as low and my clarity is less often. I can hardly focus to write these simple words.
Lately, emotions are coming into play. I still have the other issue but I see the emotion and feel deeper emotions. I almost cry watching a movie and get overly angry watching the news. I pick up a tool and I am projected to the time I was proficient at using this tool and my hands automatically move precisely. I walk my two dogs at the park and the three dimensions of the trees are amplified. I walk through Walmart and the lines explode from the floor and isles. If I dare go into crowds the emotions of people are amplified and I see their distress, boredom or anger. Had I not been a teenager in the 70's this stuff would scare the hell out of me.
I am seeking a form of reasoning with my brain. Maybe or maybe not I could benefit from a form of chemical treatment. I am not at war with myself but fail to understand the hatefulness that sounds everyone. I don't understand humanity or the alignment of the stars. I am that dirt road nearing the crossroads. I glimpse the shadow of death in my peripheral vision from time to time. A great horned owl sits on the neighbor's rooftop from time to time and watches me. I am trying to get my look back (my game) and formulate a better man. Like a Frankenstein movie, I am trying to build a better specimen. I am partially disconnected and fail to make attractive conversation.
Could you point me.
The definition of psychedelic is 'drugs that produce hallucinations and apparent expansion of consciousness'. By that definition I agree MDMA is a psychadelic but I need to emphasize it is almost entirely focused on the emotional aspect of consciousness. Don't expect to have a huge epiphany about quantum physics while on MDMA, you'll just feel really good, you won't feel the need to adhere to social norms, you will see how stupid some of your grievances are and it can bring you a more positive outlook on life in general. LSD is a bit different... it's not always positive, but it is definitely a higher state of cognisance and self-awareness. I don't want to say it's similar to drugs like Mushrooms and DMT because in terms of character they are totally different, like blue and red but they are the same in the sense they are both colors. I would say LSD can help you understand some of the more technical problems in life while DMT addresses things like existence, self awareness and the meaning of life. They are both very useful drugs, and you can't OD on them in the traditional sense but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take the appropriate steps before taking them. Think of it as a trip inside your mind in an attempts to trouble-shoot all your problems and learn more about yourself and the world around you. It's not always easy to come to terms with reality and you can freak out emotionally so always make sure you are taking true psychedelics in a safe place and with a trip sitter. MDMA is a little bit less of a hazard in that sense, you can probably get away with using it like cocaine or alcohol but keep in mind it is mind altering and you will not behave the same way on it as you would normally.
After DMT release all psychedelics are mind expanding, even weed now gives me profound experiences when i smoke here and there.
Dude, taking some shrooms sometimes and contemplating life. Listen to motivational videos. Cry a little that you're not doing all you could be doing (But you only came to a deep understand of your life through your psychedelic experience). Then ride off the trip with music is really rewarding. That is, if you know what you're doing and how much you can handle. If you have someone there with you and You are at a safe location where you won't be disturbed.
Also, don't have the type of friends over that will videotape you and put it on TH-cam if you see space on your wall or something. Or you're on a descent into mind-f*ck land.Just keep telling yourself that you're just on a drug and it'll all be over soon.
I'm wishing I had some now. It also helped me plan out my life without drug addiction. I used to be a heroin addict and I've relapsed only a handful of times since early last year. Because of self-determination and a serious, tranquil and spiritual self-inquiry. A real look into your inner psyche, no BS involved, and I feel sometimes that only a good, clean dose of 100-125mc of Lsd or some Mushrooms can provide.
Psychiatric meds are just band-aid. Psychedelics can be a medication + meditation. Self-awareness. Self-therapy. Also, I'd advise only using this if you feel you're life is at a stand still, or you need to open your mind to see what else or what you can be or should be doing.
I know there's a big irony in that. But psychedelics is wonderful for you to lift a veil that your consciousness puts on as a protector, and lets you view deep inside your sub-consciousness and it lets you see everything that you are blocking, ignoring, should change. etc...
Also, it helps to be not in an anxious, depressed or paranoid state of mind. At least, that's how psychs can be with me and many other ppl. Just don't over do it. I tend to only do it about 2-3x a year.
Excellent Talk.
I had the same experience as Sam, at 10 in the morning after a night of heavy drinking and no sleep. Pretty amazing.
Damn I´ve been watching Sam Harris Video all the and all the time I was thinking... Damn... This guy most have taken LSD. Everything that he says is are very "psychedelic thoughts" if that makes any sense.
Great video. Couldn´t agree more.
+OPEN MIND Hey! fellow cyber seed-layer of psychedelic advocacy!
See ya on the next video lol
beautifully put lol
+OPEN MIND I wish I knew German :/
Ah du bist ja überall! ^^
Dank dir habe ich meinen Geist erweitert, dank deiner Videos, welche mir die Angst vor Wurstbroten nahm, um genau zu sein.
Mach mal ein Fanmeet oder so!:D
haha nices englisch alter
"How much I loved...the men in my life."
I cried watching this. I stopped making the effort a while ago to do what I need to do to get back in touch with what matters to me and its worth making the effort for. x x
That was such a clear eyed description of the MDMA experience and although my experiences were mostly in clubs I concur with his description. That IS what it’s like. That said I’ve also experienced that same unguarded ability to love others in other settings, a spiritual exercise facilitated with Marianne Williamson, another group exercise in a Kundalini Yoga class that involved staring into a stranger’s eyes for an hour, intense lovemaking, and at the end of a Landmark Forum weekend (these were my experiences and other user experiences may vary). Also, as other commenters have said street MDMA may have dangerous additives and should be approached cautiously, if at all.
I like this video but I have a disagreement with how he started. Psychedelics do not only help people who are "lumpen" and take a quick look inside themselves and get bored. I have always been an introspective person, but the OPENING that comes from lsd, the dramatic letting go of old patterns and assumptions, and the lasting clarity were not things I could get from introspection alone. LSD liberated me so I could fully follow my dreams. I felt feelings on LSD that had I never felt before, but I now sometimes feel from art or the beauty of nature. So, Sam Harris isn't going to tell you to drop acid, but I will. Do it when you're ready.
I can never believe it when people say that some people really just don't have any curiosity about the nature of their own mind, it's something I can remember being totally fascinated by as early as I could reason about it, and I was always sort of doing "experiments" with how I thought and how my thoughts translated to feelings and actions. I don't know how anyone could not be at least somewhat interested in trying to figure out what this thing we call "I" is, it's one of the biggest mysteries of the universe and we're sitting right on top of it.
+CampingforCool41 It comes from a culture that has no native contemplative tradition. If we had one when the Scientific Revolution hit, it would have been included with the developments in the rest of science. Ironically, the Catholic Church used to have a major contemplative tradition until the Reformation destroyed it. (But would the Scientific Revolution have happened without the Reformation? I don't know.)
if you mean the nature of the mind as psychology, i deeply disagree. I find it naturally boring if anything. Neuroscience however and the actual physical mechanics of the brain is fascinating and much more so than psychology to me; therein lies subjectivity however on both sides
Akatosh x
Psychology has a limited understanding of the subjective experience of the mind that doesn't do it credit, because psychology has traditionally lacked the tools of observation that are needed to closely observe what is going on. Most people who have spent some time meditating or developed an ability to closely observe the mind will say that it is an extraordinary place. Most irreligious contemplatives like Sam Harris etc. will say this just as readily as the religious ones.
You become aware that the 'Self' is indeed a mental construct, and that there isn't anything solid or permanent to it. Thoughts come and go to...where? You see the relationship between the arising of a thought and the emotional punch behind it, or the commentary on physical pain that makes the experience of pain much worse, or how quickly your attention wanders, or how many judgments you form all the time, etc.
Neuroscience has a great deal to add to contemplation, and the ability to shift one's perception of the world and the sense of self (which neuroscience agrees is also a construct). But neuroscience without subjective reports is quite limited, becausethe only reason we know what is going on in the mind is through subjective observation of it.
There's also the practical side - close observation of the mind can enable significant improvements in one's sense of well-being, including emotional regulation and response to pain.
You didnt add anything new, i still find the field boring
im far more interested in the more fundamental sciences
The difference here is the ability to self-reflect. Most young people who take MDMA just think they're having a great time and it doesn't go any deeper than that. For my 17 year old self it was simply a form of escape from the reality I was in at the time.
Very good talk
Screw it, just dump it in the water supply.
+No Thanks that's the only way
+No Thanks AND DESTROY VALUABLE LSD?? no way man.
+No Thanks better then Flouride!
+Erik Hedberg yeah, fuck healthy tooth enamel :/
Conor Healy Have you ever heard of brushing your teeth? We don't need the government taking care our teeth like we're little children who can't take care of themselves. Fluoridate toothpaste and tablets are available on the free market for anybody who wants to waste their money on them. Chemicals should not be added to the water supply of a population which is ostensibly free.
I never thought I would live to a day when one of the Four Horsemen starts talking about morality, spirituality and even psychedelics in a way I would so wholeheartedly embrace. I respect the Hitch because he had the philosophy and arts background that made him capable of talking about such things with amazing depth and substance. I respect Dennet and Dawkins for their contributions and amazing science. But Harris is, for me, the most important thinker of today (just read The Moral Landscape and Waking Up). Of course I absolutely love Alan Watts, Robert Anton Wilson and Terrence McKenna, but hey can't exactly go and kick butt on talk shows and in the important debates of today... and we really need people like Sam Harris to talk about these things while still being able to stay on the side of reason and science. This is the way against religious ignorance, dogmatism, orthodoxy, scapegoating, victimization and hypocrisy.
I think so too. He's my favourite of the Four Horsemen when it comes to the substance. Hitchens might have been the more important one, because his _"bitchiness"_ was important in debates. In substance alone Harris could win most debates against fanatics (I precisely mean fanatics, not all religious people), but he's _"too nice"_, and tries to be respectful. You can see that in his debate against Reza Aslan: in terms of arguments, Harris definitely won. Otherwise, he didn't lose, but he didn't convince the audience either, because he's not that entertaining, which, sadly, is important to many people.
Check out his recent podcast with Peterson, that's a meeting of two titans:)
I definitely have never had any points of realization on MDMA, I never understood why people consider it a psychedelic because all it does to me is make me feel really good, lsd though has lots of benefits like helping you get out of thought patterns you are stuck in and changing your perspective on things
Sam Harris is one man I seem to agree with on EVERY issue. When I clicked on this video, I didn't have to worry about the possibility of him dismissing psychedelics because I have already seen him talk on various issues, and his is always a calm voice of reason; INFORMED reason. So much respect for this guy. Same for Chris Hitchens.
Sam comes off as being on a perpetual MDMA. He is calm, serene, tranquil and measured. That may be the result of years of meditation and contemplation.
if anyone has some mdma they'd like to share in the kansas city region message me. yes, we are complete strangers, but just give it half an hour.
interestingly I was driving home to take mdma one night and I ran off the road coming down a very steep mountain. this guy pulled over called the tow truck for me, waited the whole time with me and gave me 20 dollars i needed for gas that I had spent on the tow truck. some people are just empathetically gifted.
+contactkeithstack such a cop thing to say
He says most of this in 'Waking Up'. It's good to hear it again. Excellent book. Find it on Audible; he narrates it!
Fantastic talk!
3:27 I really love what Sam Harris says on this topic and I love the fact that he alludes to a quote from Terence McKenna, however I must point out that MDMA is not considered a psychedelic drug as Sam Harris says. It falls under the category of empathogens, but nevertheless Sam Harris' point still stands in that it is a substance that can radically alter your consciousness. MDMA primarily alters emotion but also can exhibit aural hallucinations ( e.g. sounds afar sound near, sounds near sound afar), but you can also enter into a very similar emotional state with psilocybin (the psychoactive in the psychedelic mushroom). It's a state which I've come to call agapé (borrowing the term from Christianity), but it's exactly what Sam Harris is explaining in his description of his MDMA experience, a kind of overwhelming love as though your serotonergic receptor sites dealing with emotion are overhauled with the foreign neurotrasmitter giving way to this overwhelming impression of boundless emotion. It's basically the love described in the bible; the infinite, unconditional, and without judgement. Agapé is defined as the love Christ felt that was spiritual (if you don't like the word spiritual, then maternal) in nature, not sexual.
Yes, from that vantage point, you can feel as though the entire world is emotionally asleep, and not many people have had that type of experience, atheists and theists alike. Sam Harris, by the mere virtue that he was willing to take MDMA got an opportunity to experience this temporary experience, because it is temporary, and you do come down, and while you may be humbled and feel enlightened and become a better person through this experience, you nevertheless do not have that particular temporary perspective where someone could perform the most atrocious sin, and you'd still be able to forgive them. Sam mentioned that perhaps this is a potential we all have within us without the aid of any substance. Perhaps, that is what I believe the Perennial philosophy is about. It is a perspective on religion wherein the founders are seen as mortal men, human as you and I, who each sometime in their lifetime had this type of experience, and then each went on to become a founder of a religion. Christian mystics c.100 A.D. even used a technique very similar to Zen Buddhist meditation which is called "quietism." The altered state they achieved through this technique they dubbed "Christ consciousness."
So, all this stuff certainly makes sense. Michio Kaku has even touched this topic in his latest book "The Future of the Mind," but attributes these states solely to epilepsy which Harris critiques in the video. As Harris rightly points out, temporal lope epilepsy may induce this experience, but it's one of many ways to have this particular mystical experience. This is why I love Harris, I feel he's a voice for what should be at the frontier of the cultural dialogue concerning all these topics; religion, consciousness, atheism, etc. Out of The Four Horsemen of Atheism; I feel Harris has an advantage over Hitchens' work (since he's dead now), Dawkins, and Dennett is that he's the only one of these four men who has actually had first-hand experience with these powerfully mind-altering substances.
wish he had talked more about LSD instead of MDMA...
Why?
As always, thank you Sam, and thanks big think!
great video :)
I gonna drop MDMA in the water supply and cure us of our egocentricity, thanks Sam for advocate this
I have taken hundreds of hits of acid in my life. Never once had a bad time.
:-) Totally with you on that Pickles!
same. i've had scary moments for sure but never i a trip i regretted taking.
People who are not ambitious and don't have any past traumas or eccentric personality don't have bad trips.
Well if I take one hit of weed I'm tripping my balls off and think I'm dying... Everyone is different I guess. It sucks tho, would have loved to try LSD but I just know I probably can't handle it
@@unknown81360 one of my first times smoking weed that happened to me, only a couple joint rips and I felt like death and was tripping out. I would try to just find a way to smoke a small enough amount that you have a good time, everyone has a different tolerance. Same for psychadelics you could try to start with microdosing or taking a small dose if youre worried about having a bad time
I once met this guy, quiet but friendly. He took Acid once, said he realized that he was depressed because the happy feeling he got made him realize that he had not felt like that since he was a very small child. He did not continue with drugs, but instead tried to fix his depression. I have not seen him for 8 years, but I hope he succeeded.
I agree with most of what he says except "virtually any psychedelic experience you can have without psychedelics". I think what he meant to say was any psychedelic revelation/realization can be had without the substance. There is no other experience that can come close to the breakthrough psychedelic experience like DMT or Salvia.
During Sam's enlightening moment, he also found that Licorice is indeed delicious.
The raspberry kind? (same reference? I dunno)
Psychedelics in a sensory deprivation tank, someone do this, and document it =)
Im sure joe rogans done it
My bad shrooms trip left the ground beneath me shaken and to this day I feel detached, depressed, and anxious. It's very rare that I ever feel "normal."
Psychedelics help you get in touch with Allah and the Truth of Islam.
not sure if troll..
GarioTheRock read his username/avatar
ain't drugs not allowed in your religion ? islam... heheh... i dunno
lol
Sam Harris should write a book on speaking. I would be all over that.
First! And Sam's totally stoned during this vid.
itsasin1969 Me too, he's a cool dude.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed those red glossy eyes.
Joey Tennant Lol
Nah, he seems like normal to me.
in my experience it was awesome to see and understand how my mind worked, blew my mind I was missing out on a lot of things like sharing Love, I understood why I touch people so much when I talk, why I like to hug them, afterwards I started to hug everyone and learn that not everyone likes to be hugged or they don't feel as confortable when some one taps you on the back, its just sharing the love u got, its a pat on the back or a hug or handshake, learn and enjoy to do it, learn and enjoy to receive it from someone else.
I'm so personally indebted to Sam. From taking an interest in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, (safe) mind enhancing drugs, mediation and objective morality. I'm very grateful.
I love Sam Harris. He is my favorite intellectual hero
Me too
Basically, he took ecstasy and he got real happy.
Ecstasy is not a psychedelic drug
Very good!
Your experience with MDMA is very similar to my own. Thanks for sharing
eyes red.. hes smoked.. i understand everything like you sam after hit the pipe lol
lol
Tomas DeepMode im pretty sure he was sunburnt
Good video. Much respect to Sam Harris. people have this black and white view of drugs. Yet drink coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol and think nothing of it. Hypocrisy. Everyone should try psychedelics
Caffeine is a hell of a drug. I went from drinking no coffee at all, to chugging a whole 12 cup pot before going to work. The first time I did it, i felt very euphoric and calm and the music I was listening to sounded different to me. The rest of the time I just felt energized and motivated to do stuff. But I also didn't sleep for long, and started getting paranoid about being watched, or something barging through my bedroom door at night. I started "Seeing things" out the corner of my eye and stuff. So I had to stop drinking coffee sadly. I still on occasion drink it though. Like once a week.
Fooly's Mind
Also I used to have social anxiety. But what it SEEMS like is that it is completely gone sense I had my two or three weeks of drinking coffee. During that time I find myself not being held back by the same fears I once had and said stuff just off the top of my head without fear of what people thought of me. And even now when I have been without a whole lot of caffeine I don't have the social fears I had before. I have done job interviews and stuff since, and it's like the anxiety non-existent.
Sam does actually say that psychedelics are not for everyone. Not in this video but in his book. He talks about how psychedelics may trigger pre-existing or pre-disposed conditions. If you have a history of mental illness in the family, please do lots of research before you decide to take it, always have a sober sitter there too.
I found that taking a small dosage of mdma can drastically help me with my social skills. There's been times when I've taken it before I had a presentation at school also at a job interview. I realized the potential of the drug after I took it in a party & found myself speaking to a group of girls who were complete strangers without any kind of nervousness. The key is to only take a small enough amount to give you the social effect but not enough to get you all hyper and make you crash later.
I like what he says about meditation I've tried many meditations and as he said because I have c-ptsd I only see pain inside! Meditation with souund helos but only in terms of its like I've had a sleep sometimes thst literally dies happen but still no seeing change or seeing any goodness inside!
LSD , Cactus , Shrooms , Weed ... Yup ...
i heard DMT opens up another door , but im happy where i am do i will save the DMT for death or Heaven ... XD
DMT is fucking insane, man.
***** lol you tried it ?
yes im still kinda worried .... this old Acid pro , said once he did DMT his acid trips where never the same
Yeah. It was the most intense thing I've ever experienced. I felt like I was outside of time and space, like I was rolling on my side through the fabric of time and space. It was absolutely astounding.
***** XD ....
well ... XD ... welcome back .. no but good stuff , i heard it was something like that , but words probably don't do it justice
+vincere dolorem tuum CaN you tell us more about your experience?
Mushrooms.
Best talk I have heard.
I like your mature, scientific way of talking about psychedelics.
Just like you I meditate everyday for about an hour and i have some pretty wonderful experiences, such as out of body trips and some astral journeys.
But other times i try with little to no positive effects, usually because I'm having a problem with depression at the time. So every once in i while when i get caught up in a depression spiral i can't get out of, even with anti-depressants. I eat a few Magic mushrooms and it seems to fix me right up for many months.
I just wish i could give some of my mushrooms to others to help them, but the government won't let me. Also to many people want me to give them some just to get high with which just offends me.
Sam Harris should be required reading.. All of his books.
You won't experience a DMT trip just by meditation
+Psychedelic Idealist it isnt a trip it is a transportal through higher dimensions using our dna
edymasta call it what you want its a trip
***** thats what we interpret it as in the physical realm
+Psychedelic Idealist Not normal meditation, but look up holotropic breathwork and float tanks.
Yes you can. It's possible. It would take decades but it's still possible.
One time I smoke DMT, and as an atheist, it was surely a profound experience that I'd probably not repeat again, but will forever remember it. Also, one time I took too much psilocybin and understood, for a time, what pure evil and death was, it wasn't pleasant. Sobriety is a precious and fraile state that one can not imagine how easily it can be lost once down the rabbit hole. I'd personally recommend MDMA, the real stuff, over just about any other experience out there.