Is it different from using mind altering drugs? (I mean apart from the side-effects, is it the same?)
210121
Meditation is not just relaxing, rather it is trying to develop a highly concentrated and clear state of mind which one can use for clear analysis, and which can be blissful to be in. \nOnce we have reached this very advanced state of mind, we can learn what we want very quickly, including transforming our mind and developing deep wisdom and insight. Not only our conscious thoughts can be brought under control, also our emotions and unconsciousness, as they are all based on concepts which can be changed.\nIn meditation, we try to develop wisdom, learn to observe our own mind, decrease negative mind states and develop positive mind states. To develop wisdom and insight, we need a calm, clear and concentrated mind. To observe our own mind, we need to develop a kind of inner "spy" - a part of our attention that checks our state of mind. To decrease negative mind states we need to understand where they come from and transform them into positive energy with the wisdom developed from observing our own mind. To develop positive mind states, we need to focus away from selfishness and again develop wisdom by observing our own mind. \nIn order to find the right state of mind for meditation, we need concentration instead of being scattered, and clarity of mind instead of dullness. We need to observe our own thoughts and mind states instead of getting lost in emotions or becoming prejudiced. We need to be honest towards ourselves instead of fooling ourselves and walk away from unpleasant problems. Furthermore, we need to be patient (one does not become a meditation master over night), generate self-acceptance, confidence and enthusiasm to make the mind peaceful. \nAll these factors need to be in balance: we need to be somewhat relaxed as well as concentrated, we need to avoid both sleepiness and excitement.
664904
Placebo Effect -  When a person is given a fake medicine, a medicine that doesn't really do anything to help them. But because they are given the medicine they 'think' it will make them better, so they actually do get better.\n\nDomino Effect - When one thing causes another thing to happen, which causes another thing to happen, which causes another thing to happen, which causes another thing to happen, which causes another....
283405
It is never a good idea to do anything that is not the norm when it comes to our bodies, like pills or sprays or anything else.  You can perform much better using the powers of your own mind.  What you expect is what you get.
262005
Everybody is different. And there are many other ways to open doors in your conscience then just ingested substances. If it is not coming naturally to you, then seek a trusted guide/partner for experimentation of methods.\nSomeone reading or guiding you through a precise visualization could be the simplest...but there is besides wine or cannabis (which moderate use of can enhance the process): estatic dancing or movement, or conversely, holding your body in certain poses, or sex, or certain scents/incense, staring into a candle flame, a black mirror, or silver bowl of water, or drinking water from a silver vessel charged by the essence of the full moon, non-sex-resulting stimulation of the body (cords, massage or scourging), trance-inducing chanting, well, you get the picture.\n\nPersonally, I would advise getting comfortable with the more accessible realms of Otherness waiting just on the other side of ordinary reality (and your own depths)  before taking something hard, or layering multiple methods, that will catapult you into ? realms of the non-ordinary.
561867
I substituted a 12-Step Program.  Regarding "better effects", there is NO comparison (for me) - - Wouldn't trade today's 'effects' for the world...One Day At A Time, 10 years later...Amen. :)
48739
IT wouldn't work since we wouldn't know what the effects would be like on a "normal" person. There could be conflicing reactions due to inpure blood and how can you tell if a drug has made some on luse their mind if they hav allreadly lost it. Plus it is in Humain and Crule.
534668
Is one experience really better or worse than another?\n\nCould they just be different yet the same?
155856
Yes.  Simple thoughts may not produce anything, but heavy concentration can yeild some surprising results.  I believe that long ago, man was attuned to this phenomenon and "magic" may have actually existed.  Over eons of time, this ability has gradually been purged from us from witchcraft trials and disuse and ultimately disbelief that such acts are possible.
75786
It doesn't seem very appealing--it can involve dietary restrictions, especially on the larger patch sizes (the ones with higher dosages), which seems like it would have a negative affect on one's mood anyway. It will, of course, get the standard list of depression medication side effects, so I really wouldn't choose this over any others, especially ones that seem to have positive side effects (like Wellbutrin, which can increase one's chances of quitting smoking).
218519
ECT as others have said has been used for years, when it was first discovered it was used for all mental illnesses and practised in an unsafe manner, it is now used with a lot more humanity. Before they would just use a standard dose nowadays they slowly increase the dose until the patient has a small fit, (the fit represents the brain reseting). There is still not much conclusive evidence to state how it works but does have mircalous effects when other treatments (medication & therapy) haven't worked. Some people joke and say there are more risks from the anesthetic than ECT, but risks from ECT involve short term memory loss and difficulty concentrating. Although it is used rarely these days it is being used more in older peoples services. There are thousands of websites and books out there, but the problem with them is they all tend to be very much for or against it, i havent seen any which give a fair all round view.\ngood luck and i hope it works well for her
541740
Ecstasy is so powerful.  In low doses it can be recreational and okay.  However, it is a powerful hallucinogen, and on the way down from the high, the hallucinating is really bad.  One of my friend said that he thought the trees all around him were going to eat him.  Also, the next day is really great, and you feel great about having done it.  BUT, the day after that is a shithole and you feel really really low and like you want to do it again.  This day makes the experience not worth it.
650785
i was on it when i was in college it was the best medicine i was spazzing out over the littlest stuff and it made me relax and was soo care free all the time - my mother said she didn't like me on it because i really didn't have any emotion but i never noticed it - i just remember how much better i felt - also i just got off it last august and being on it for a little over 2 years it trained my brain not to freak out so my anxiety is totally gone - i have only had one breakdown since and that was 2 months after i got off of it - to me it was a miracle drug - but i know everyone is different... if you have any more questions feel free to email or message me lilrebelchick@yahoo.com..
198083
I am bipolar. I quit taking my effexor xr and other meds some time ago. Marijuana does have it's medicinal value, but with long term use, you will have other side effects. As for me, I haven't smoked for a while now, but if i didn't have a job like the one I do now, i would smoke. There hasn't been any prescribed medicine out there that didn't calm me and let me focus. But, That was with taking 1-2 drags of pot. Not smoking a quarter ounce in a day. Smoking that much is what the dr's are talking about when they tell you the serious side effect. Smoke too much, end up dumb. As with any drug, use responsibly. But...Pot is illegal. (boooo)
416558
Med induced tardive dyskinesias with old psychotropics generally were not reversible.  In some of my journal reading, and I consider this to be biased because drug companies generally research a drug, market it, and guess what? They are the only ones that write the literature about it so it really can be slanted their way.  But what I read and what I see clinically is that newer psychotropics are more refined. (Please remember that no pts. have been on them long term >20 years for example)  Altho sometimes some of the clinical symptomology manifests, if the prescriber takes them off the drug, generally there is a marked improvement. On the newer psychotropics their isn't the dramatic tongue and hand movements seen, and when some of the psychotropics did cause problems and they were taken off the pts. seemed to regain their old behaviors back.  Older generational psychotropics such as Thorazine, for example, caused permanent damage.  You have to remember that some of these pts. were severely psychotic and at the time that's all there was for them to take.  So even tho they developed tardive dyskinesias,  there may have been worse consequences if they had not taken any drug. It's the old scale balance.....do the positives outweigh the negatives, and at the time if that's all there is then I guess yes.  It certainly beats having had the pt. have electro convulsive therapy, or in restaints all the time.  It's a hard call, and many times 20 years later with newer medications, being an armchair quarterback after the game is real easy.  But you were not the one faced with the dilemna and only a few psychotropics to pick from.  I hope you see the big clinical picture!  It's a hard call sometimes!
559049
Yes...and know of others who did as well...the stuff is handed out like candy, we all want a quick fix, or to believe we are messed up and need help... but really, we need our loving friends and family, physical activity, creative outlets (journalling, art, ) and maybe sharing with others in a supportive setting. You are not alone here! I never went higher than the 34.5 starter dose, experienced panic attacks, more anxiety and irrational thinking than ever...I just realized I needed to accept whatever apin I was going through, grieve, weep, heal and move on. I tossed the stuff and went to a homeopath instead...and keep active! Natural endorphins will get you through in the end...best wishes.
102249
I've learned that the only way to change someone else's behavior is to change your own, and then that changes their reaction to you.  That was mind blowing.\n\nYes, in a sense depression is in the head - it is in the brain since it is a change in feeling and a change in thinking as well as a change in behavior and physical well being.  Drugs can definitely help.  They control the symptoms and allow the idividual to get on with life despite mental pain and difficulty coping.\n\nI have known several people diagnosed with major depression, and two with bipolar depression.  They are all helped with medication.\n\nThat's my take on it.
206012
There might just be some legitimacy to that observation! Although I have tried cocaine and not really enjoyed it much, I am much more attracted to the feelings that it incites as opposed to the feelings that LSD creates. I love Alice in Chains, one of my all time favorites, but cannot STAND Pink Floyd (though I MAY in fact be jaded on that front- my ex-husband loved them and let's just say that I've got some unpleasant memories associated with that!).