16 replies to this topic

[pharmer]

OH HELL NO! HE'S NOT GOING TO GO THERE ??????

 

Yes, dear friends old and new. Some of us have passed through our middle age hanging around these forums and now fit into the sterile but annoying term "Geriatric"

 

Your humble reporter just turned 70, which must seem like the far side of the moon for the newer members. Good God look over there on the left. Nevermind the resemblance to the handsome dude in the pic but notice this is my 4600th post!!!!!! But, as the old saying goes, "just because there's snow on the roof doesn't mean there ain't fire in the soul"

 

And the audience says " Quit rambling old man, get to the freakin' point"

 

OK, here it is. When is too old to trip? Can the superannuated neurons still take the load? Are there memory issues at stake? Assuming good news from each annual physical examination - is the body still providing fertile soil for the drugs to work and give us the trip we're hoping for and not something in the "Other" category?

 

So, I propose that all us Geriatrics start piling our trip reports into this thread or another with the same purpose of collecting data or anecdotes of whether the body and brain are still up to this task, and are the trip reports still full of the joy and wonder we knew in decades past.

 

Who's with me? I was recently gifted with some Orange Sunshine and will be getting to it soon. If it's ok to love another man I'm loving the dude who made this possible! Do you feel that wet thing in your ear? That's my tongue

 

Don't wait on me. If you're tripping this weekend or anytime soon give some thought to observing how the trip may be changing with the years, and how the body is taking care of business, and post it here.

Edited by pharmer, 13 May 2023 - 12:39 PM.

[Juthro]

Nice topic Pharmer ;) 

 

You've got some years on me, but I think I'm old enough to completely understand where your questions are coming from.  When I was a young man and tripping I never would imagine tripping with someone who is my age now.  All the people I knew who were older back then were pretty straight laced.  I still like to trip, but I find it harder to do now.  When I was young I could trip after work and still make it in the next day, now I really need to plan ahead and include some recovery time.

 

I look forward to seeing what others have to say on this subject.

[Coopdog]

I went for 22 years without and considered myself a "grown up." What I was missing was FUN! That is not what being a grown up is supposed to be, or at least it shouldn't be. Then a friend in the UK sent me a ten strip for my birthday that was still wet! Damn, that is what my life was missing and I didn't even know it. I suddenly remembered belly laughs and cheek cramps, and how to get up and dance and lose myself in the music like I did when I was a kid. I have been tripping ever since, and I will continue to do so as long as I am able to put that piece of paper under my tongue. If I died that way today, I would have died doing something I truly love and with an ear to ear permagrin on my face with no regrets whatsoever!

 

I don't think our body loses it's ability to trip, but I know certain meds dampen it down or even kill the trip outright. Meds like anti-depressants and SSRI's of all sorts. 

 

I also know that once my wife stops, I will not enjoy it as much alone. But... I doubt I will stop completely ever, as long as I can get it. She has told me recently that her tripping days are going to be over before too much longer. Then I asked her what she wanted for Mother's day, and she told me she wants a really good musical trip, so in a couple hours we are going up together. I plan on trying 3 drops of really nice LSD 25 I picked up a vial of a while back. I did two drops spaced 90 minutes apart a month or so ago, and it was beautiful, exceptionally colorful and music enhancing, and really easy going all the way around, but I want it just a bit more powerful this time as it might be a while before another chance comes up. 

 

I'll write it up when we do. My wife has become the Grand MC of trip coordinating. I told her she could make a business out of that when we retire lol. "Let Mama plan your trips! Only $199.99 and 12 hours of madness and music guaranteed!" 

[shiftingshadows]

@ pharmer

I'm even older. Did Cactus couple times awhile back, no problems. Will see what's next.

[Coopdog]

3 drops in water at 6:25. Gorgeous night outside, this should be a very colorful evening. Gonna be a good mother's day and prelude to our 43rd anniversary coming up on the 16th. 

Edited by Coopdog, 13 May 2023 - 08:37 PM.

[Coopdog]

Well HOLYYY HECK! I'm 9 hours into this, and had the most visually amazing experiences in all my years of dabbling...Not ready to process it much yet, but damn what a beautiful night for all this. Color me humbled... and smiling for a while yet I reckon. 

 

EDIT: 13 hours and still seeing visuals to a surprising extent. Tonight we intended to make this night special and we certainly did that. The extent of the colors and patterns overlaying everything was so damn interesting. We went outside on the deck where it was a perfect evening. Within an hour the ground appeared to be rolling like the surface of the ocean while a rabbit munched on the grass and Dandelions quite oblivious to the motion under it's feet. Came in and watched Moanna to enjoy the comeup. That movie was so moving and spiritual and just flat out enjoyable to behold I can't even begin to say.  Going to bed... 

Edited by Coopdog, 14 May 2023 - 09:22 AM.

[Myc]

I'm with the rest of the camp here. It would seem as though I've grown old while typing my thoughts over the years.

I came here a young man in search of knowledge. In the meantime, my skin has wrinkled and my eyes have grown dim. However, I've made some of the strongest friendships - relationships of trust and respect - which would rival my experiences in real life.

Bless you all for being here and putting up with me all this time.

 

 

It may be time to drink some cactus tea. Best trip ever. Best of the best - tripping with the gods. I've become reluctant to dose due to the recovery time required. So I hear ya Juthro.

Where did my energy go?  I just looked up from my keyboard one day and realized the face in the mirror was sagging. ;)

 

Cool thread Pharmer. Thanks for posting.

[Coopdog]

Myc, man, I feel you there. An old member here who I keep in contact with on FB asked me just recently if I still come around here, and when I said yes, daily, I sure do, He was shocked and asked if I still trip and when I said of course to that as well he was pretty astounded, and when I told him my plans for the weekend I really think he was taken aback. I guess I already did the "I got past all this" stage and working my way back around to "ME time" again. I appreciate the time I have spent here and the knowledge I have soaked up and been able to share here, and most of all the people I have come to know and love over the years. Those people are the reason I check in every day. 

 

When I made that last edit at about 7:30 am at 13 hours into it, I was still having pretty good visuals and was completely tongue tied still. I tried to write up a stream of thought impression and when I went to reread it, it was all jumbled and made no sense and I deleted almost all of it and struggled to type "Going to bed now" lol. 

 

I tried to go to sleep about an hour later and laid here giggling to myself for a while yet, quite literally. This stuff was liquid, and was said to be 100 ug per drop. Taking 3 drops was one of the most amazingly visual nights I have ever had. As I said above, it didn't take long for the grass to start to ebb and flow, and not long from there to seeing everything through shimmering geometrical curtains layering over everything I looked at. This acid produced waves of color which I have not seen for many years, with shimmers of laser rainbows around the edges of everything in my peripheral vision and the most beautiful patterning infused into everything. I think my Dog absorbed some from my skin or something, and he was very active and had a little permagrin on and was present all the way through this. 

 

My old Laserstars machine which is one of the best accessories I have ever seen in my life for augmenting the trip was making fan noise, and my daughter gave us hers, and with no attitude which was appreciated lol. My daughters are in their 30's and just shake their heads at their crazy parents lol. if you are not familiar with laserstars machines go look them up. They make a moving morphing red or blue nebula with moving stars going every which way in the most amusing and beautiful way. 

 

Last night was an amazing night, and I am damn glad to be able to share about it. I am so damn grateful to have found this at a time when I was going through such huge changes in my life. It truly helps process it all better! I tend to trip when big events happen, good or tragic ones. It helps me to integrate it and move on no matter what is going on. OK, I guess that is my contribution to the geriatric funhouse! 

Edited by Coopdog, 15 May 2023 - 01:08 AM.

[phlegmbae]

Ya know I've thought about this ever since my first experience with LSD in 1973. I already knew I'd want to do it the rest of my life. How embarrassing having to ask my grandson to get me some acid. Lol! More recently I've found a connection with just about every hallucinogen known in one place. I've got some in my freezer now. Since I've turned 60 I've tried mdma, 2-cb, and dmt. For about 5 years my Dr was prescribing ketamine for my depression. Then he moved away last year. Now every Dr I come across looks at me like I'm nuts when I ask. It sure AF worked for my depression though. I've tried the stuff on the street. It's not anywhere near the same.

 

I think I took too big of a dose of mdma my first time. Felt like my heart was about to blow out my chest. Then euphoria like I've never experienced in my life. Headlights on cars were blinding in broad daylight. The cars would get just so close then bam! They'd just pop out so bright. Even with dark sunglasses on. Prolly shouldn't have been driving.

 

I'm no longer tripping as often as I once did, but something always seems to call me back. Then I'm good for another 6 months to a year.

[Coopdog]

6 months to a year is average for me too, In the last few months I have been gifted some and found some to buy as well so I have had a few in a short amount of time. Pretty sure I will continue right on along.

Edited by Coopdog, 16 May 2023 - 01:51 AM.

[Skywatcher]

I feel like I am going to be the exception here.

 

It has been 4 or so years since I last communed with the cactus. The last time, I had some issues physically.

I am 70 now, and I have high blood pressure, somewhat controlled with meds. I also have had some pretty severe pain issues for the last 7 ish years.

My last journey was a very uncomfortable experience of sky high BP which was frightening and pretty much ruined my entire time.

During my "pre-cactus" years, I was doing LSD a lot, well over 200 times from 1970-1980.

Once I was introduced to cactus and the "Spirit Walk", I only did that, and it was never more often than once a year, alone in the desert.

Those experiences changed me, for the better.

I do not feel I could physically do another "Spirit Walk" now, as I can not walk without pain in my knee, and the desert is not a place to have a flame up where I can't put pressure on it. I am also pretty sure the blood pressure would not let me enjoy the experience.

I have been on anti-depressants for quite awhile, and am aware of their " cancellation" of the altered state, but I am mostly doing well with them so not horribly inclined to go without.

 

I have a beautiful and strong bond with my cactus I grow, one of which is the first I traveled with over 40 years ago, and many times since. I still get a communication and visual contact experience when I sit with them, and i feel we are both comfortable with that.

 

I will not say I will never journey again, but I don't really see it happening....

[Coopdog]

I sure feel you there Sky. My BP is one of the few things that could force me to stop. I love those nights, but I sure don't want to have a stroke either. As for the knee, a friend was looking at a double knee replacement and PRP therapy was damn near miraculous for him. Not sure how it works in general, but I know it sure helped my friend with his knees.You hang in there brother. 

[Juthro]

Blood pressure is a big concern for me as well. Two of my older sisters have had strokes in the last 8 years, one partially recovered and the other didn't make it. So this is something that I think of, and it absolutely factors into the way I recreate these days.  Stroking out and being left alive but non functioning is one of my biggest fears in life.  I'm not afraid of moving on, but the thought of being completely disabled and stuck here truly terrifies me.  

 

I've REALLY enjoyed playing with some LSD that was gifted to me this last year.  It had been 25 years since I had any, and I have enjoyed it immensely, but I have found it to be noticeably harder on my body then what I remember from my youth.  When I was younger my motto was larger doses more frequently.   I could get done with a trip in the morning and be ready to ride that train again by evening, but anymore my doses tend to be smaller, and pretty much only on special pre-planned occasions.  Overall I think mushrooms are the easiest on my body anymore. 

 

I can also relate to tripping with chronic pain.  For me it's my back, and when it's flaring up making the pain stop is the only thing I can concentrate on, and dealing with that while the walls are breathing is not a pleasurable, or enlightening experience.  

Edited by Juthro, 16 May 2023 - 02:53 PM.

[pharmer]

Now we're getting to the meat of what I was intending for this thread.

 

I'm in the BP concerns group as well. And how about the possibility that other vascular weak points might choose tripping time as the right time to act up and leak? Which makes cactus seem less appealing as time goes on. Those first few hours of super speediness is probably where any danger resides. What the hell, we can measure this with a BP machine. There doesn't need to be any mystery about this if we just do the measurements. I'll be the guinea pig before this summer is over but I don't see this happening again after I turn 90

 

Juthro has probably hit on the right idea. Shrooms have never roughed my body up and I don't recall any BP type issues on any of a few dozen trips with them. Besides, who has two days anymore to commit to a day of cactus and a day for recovery?

 

Maybe the caapi and leaf recipe for Ayahausca? The caapi has quite a sedative effect and might work to moderate BP spikes. This could also be measured. Tregar, want a job opportunity?

 

BTW .....Aldous Huxley knew the end was imminent and chose to go out on a dose of Acid. Confirmed in his wife's memoirs. Now that's a dedicated drug researcher :)

Edited by pharmer, 17 May 2023 - 06:35 AM.

[Coopdog]

OK, I have more to kick into this thread I reckon. After severe long term COVID effects, my wife was concerned about her heart. Doc agreed and gave her a portable EKG machine to wear for two weeks. While wearing it, she was sitting in an electric recliner/massage chair, and when she brought the footrest down, somehow it had the cord in the way. When the scissor action of the chair cut the cord, it made a dramatic arc and startled the hell out of her. She did not push the button to record any moment out of the ordinary, and when they reviewed the data they pronounced her a heart patient. The entire rest of that time no anomalies were recorded. She knew what happened to cause that as it corresponded perfectly to the timeline. 

 

A year goes by with no further heart palpitations of any sort, even during stress tests. When she came back here, our (long term) doc wanted to confirm she was ok and gave her another EKG machine to wear for two weeks again. We had planned a week at the ocean and a good trip before this occurred, and she did not expect to be encumbered with this machine during that time. She decided to use this opportunity to really find out of it was safe for her to trip anymore or not and wear the machine and record the entire thing. 

 

This trip turned out to be stronger than expected as some kind soul had properly dosed some Orange Sunshine blotter for once, and we had one hell of a good night. No issues at all. The next morning, we got a call bright and early from my daughter that there was a very large leak under our bathroom and it sounded like a firehose spraying against the floorboards. (LONG story) We got upset of course because we had been up all night and paid through the nose for this house. After some heated discussion we decided to stay and called the neighbor to shut off the water for us, ordered a grocery order with lots of bottled water for the daughters and relaxed back into our trip. 

 

The timeline showed some slightly elevated pulse rates during the trip night but the function of her heart was fine. However during our discussion, which by the way I wanted to go home and deal with it while she was angrily saying we needed this and we are NOT going to go home, her heart rate got up to 200 BPM on the EKG machine. 

 

The moral of the story is this. The trip didn't show any really significant changes in her heart patterns, BUT getting angry with the dregs of a trip in your system certainly did. Also consider that we are all different and all have our own personal profiles medically. This was just demonstrating medically, for us anyhow, that it was ok during the meat of the trip. Take it as you will, but don't consider this me telling you it is fine to trip if you have heart issues. For me at least, my mind is what makes my BP go up, and anxiety can bring about an adrenaline rush that peaks my BP right out of the charts. 

[phlegmbae]

Someone should drop a line to Johns-Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research ([email protected] (443) 278-3174) and see if there's any ongoing studies on geriatric psychedelics use. It would be an interesting study. I'd be willing to do an online survey with them. I'll bet they'd find that geriatrics who trip find their lives more fulfilled. Although we may drool and fart much more. Who knows?

[Coopdog]

I love my occasional trip nights, and they make my life so much more bearable in every respect. I wish I had more people to share that with, but I thank God every day for my little hippy girl that I was blessed with when I was a kid. So glad I was able to keep her. Our first date I had 7 hits of good purple microdot and she had three and we went and saw Pink Floyd The Wall, and then went cliff diving in the dark and stayed back there swimming all night. Had one of the best nights I have ever had. Since then, similar nights have been the best ever, one after the other with a 22 year Hiatus in the middle. I think the fact that we trip together sometimes is a big factor in us being together after all these years, aside from the fact that we really love each other. 

Edited by Coopdog, 21 May 2023 - 03:30 AM.