Bill Maher - Drugs and Halloween Candy (on Psychedelics)

[drokhole]

Run time: 05:22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLH3vibZssU   Posted on YouTube: October 31, 2011 By YouTube Member: WontonMitUns Views on YouTube: 93   Posted on DU: October 31, 2011 By DU Member: drokhole Views on DU: 1640

 
So, moving past Bill's clearly comical premise (though, including pharmaceuticals like Prozac, Ritalin and Adderall, the larger point remains that we already willfully and mindlessly hand out the incredibly dangerous drug Sugar to children with reckless abandon - Sugar: The Bitter Truth), he raises a very valid point and cites credible examples on the issue and benefits of psychedelics - some of my few previous posts cite the same studies/examples:

www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1978636&mesg_id=1985278 - (includes link to Johns Hopkins psilocybin study TEDx talk and a great discussion by Alan Watts on the issue and framing of "drugs")
Read the Never-Before-Published Letter From LSD-Inventor Albert Hofmann to Apple CEO Steve Jobs

It's my contention that not only should they be legal, but, if an individual were to so choose, there should be thoroughly trained and knowledgeable professionals to help guide them through their experience. Either way, in addition to legalization, a concentrated effort should simultaneously be made to help people understand these substances for the sacraments that they are (to help ensure the proper "Set and Setting"). Certain cultures/tribes regard these sacred plants as divine in their own right, we should treat and teach them no differently.

Further, more and more studies have shown entheogens (re: psychedelics) to produce incredibly positive effects on an individual's health - be it in the form of improved personality, a deeply spiritual experience, an aid in therapy, treating mental disorders, curing patients of their addictions to toxic substances, providing comfort in end-of-life care, or for a simple occasion in reverie. By helping people on an individual level, it could very well improve society by leaps and bounds. At the very least, these substances deserve an end to their illogical "Schedule I" classification.

In addition to the wealth of individual benefits, this could create that new all-important profession - that of the highly trained guide to help individuals through their experience - along with a vast amount of ancillary professions. It would also open up an entirely new field of medical and scientific research. We spend mounds of cash exploring outer-space, and yet we've completely neglected exploring inner-space and the various experiences of "consciousness."

These substances have also been proven to give already brilliant minds profound insights. It is quite possible that these insights would have remained unimagined, otherwise. If we allow our scientists - if they so choose - access to these substances while working on unrelated research, it may potentially lead to monumental breakthroughs not yet imagined.

"This is an experience of inestimable value to everyone, and especially to the intellectual." - Aldous Huxley

"If the doors of perception we cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite." - William Blake

[spooked911]

1. some great points in there

and sugar is definitely a toxic substance

[GreenTea]

2. I've always appreciate dropping, incredibility enlightening if that's what one chooses to use it for

this dude also "used' it for going to dozens of great shows through the years including my early teen years seeing Hendrix and others at the Fillmore & Avalon...However, it's much more tame these day, growing my tasty organic, superior genetic stain & slowly cured beautiful weed here in Humboldt County, extremely cool!

[1monster]

3. Big Kick! and recommend.