Any clinical deaths are due to recreational use in an
unprepared individual, likely with tendencies toward psychosis. The
therapeutic index of psilocybin is 641. This is the ratio between the LD50
(lethal dose in 50% of subjects) and the ED50 (effective or therapeutic dose in
50% of subjects), meaning that the LD50 is 641 times higher than the ED50. This number is 199 for aspirin, and 21 for nicotine
(lower numbers indicate greater toxicity).
(How heretical!)
There have been no deaths from psychedelics used in the
clinical or research setting.
On the other hand, the EXPERIENCE of death may be the CENTRAL
event in the healing that occurs with the clinical use of psychedelic
medicine.
The healing that occurs with meditation likely is also mediated
through the “experience of death. “
(Photo of Artemio Rodriguez's, Mickey Muerto, 2005)
Ego death.
Ego death.
Perhaps, recognizing how this sense of self is formed.
Then transcending this current ego.
Identifying with something beyond, and bigger, more complex,
and maybe also simpler, than this small self (yes, paradox again!).
The centrality of confronting our own mortality is central
to the psychotherapy developed by Dr. Irvin Yalom.
Interestingly, often the fear of death is sublimated,
transformed, repressed, or displaced, and then manifested as another fear, or
anxiety and/or depression.
Dr. Yalom lists several inner changes he has observed in
patients with cancer confronted with death:
-
A rearrangement of life’s priorities: a
trivializing of the trivial.
-
A sense of liberation: being able to choose not
to do those things that they do not wish to do.
-
An enhanced sense of living in the immediate
present, rather than postponing life until retirement or some other point in
the future.
-
Deeper communication with loved ones than before
the crisis.
Other quotes:
If you die before you die, then you won't die when you die -
St Paul's Monastery on Mount Athos
To philosophize is to prepare for death. – Cicero.
No man enjoys the true taste of life but he who is willing
to quit it. – Seneca.
It is only in the face of death that man’s self is born. –
St Augustine.
Why do you fear your last day? It contributes no more to your death than
each of the others. – Montaigne.
The after effects of a near death experience for some
individuals have great parallels with guided psychedelic experiences and
long-term meditation.
So how do you practice dying right now?
There are many methods.
Take up a meditation practice.
One of my favorite mediations is Wes Nisker’s death reflection. You can download this and listen:
You could try psychedelics, but they are illegal in all of
the United States, except within research studies. And, perhaps, they are best used with
guidance.
In our own, legal, research work, death or its equivalent,
occurs commonly.
We note that this death, this ego death, is central to the
healing we have observed.
See this amazing commentary from one of our volunteers:
Further, for those diagnosed with cancer, who cannot get
past their anxiety or depression, guided psychedelic experiences have been
central to their psychological healing.
For stories and videos see here:
So, why is alcohol and nicotine legal, while psychedelics
are not?
A very good question…
Perhaps, we can do something about this travesty…
Namaste
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