[Eduardo]

Fun thread, and it is tempting to share some of my many experiences and thoughts on these subjects.

I'll share a little. Concerning science, I did much of this while studying physics (it is interesting how there was the group of physicists that embraced alternative methods contrasted with the group that strictly adhered to status quo) and I must say I learned at least as much about the universe and consciousness while meditating and tripping in the woods as I did in my curriculum. The two disciplines merge well together, if one can overcome the conflicting parts. Over the course of history many physicists have naturally drifted to a more eastern philosophical mindset, and this can be augmented by a combination of meditation, psychotropics, and physics and consciousness studies.

I recommend using psychs only in a natural setting, deeper into the woods the better, preferably near water like a river with a waterfall or a lake.
Wait until you are out of high school at least please, not because of any arbitrary human created laws, but because you want to give your brain enough time to build a solid base in the current cultural expectations of your society, so that you will be better prepared to decide what path to take after you become aware of the arbitrary restrictions you live within. Once you enter the realm, you must be prepared to think above and beyond what people around you have let themselves be capable of, and must be prepared to accept their limitations and their misunderstanding of your experiences. 'Think outside the box'... my response to that phrase is 'what box?', meaning that the limitations of thought are blown wide open, eradicating any previously held beliefs and self limitations. These things are not to be taken as party drugs, and their abuse in this manner can quickly destroy any hope of enlightenment one can achieve with their use. Study before you jump in, be prepared, understand the chemistry and the psychology of what you are about to take. Surround yourself with only people you trust, or no one at all. Bring food and fresh water, though you may not want to eat anything as the act of eating can be, interesting...

One can definitely achieve a deeper respect and understanding of their self, their surroundings, and the process and systems of the universe including our consciousness within it. But it helps to have that as a goal, not during just the trip but throughout life. I was predetermined to be focused on such things and this naturally becomes augmented during the trip. That is one thing that is largely misunderstood, LSD etc is mostly a trigger for what is already in the mind, for its predispositions and desires. It starts by opening the floodgates of chemical and electrical networks in the brain, rearranging what is already there, which in turn opens your mind up to new possibilities.

Beware though, since 1966 when Sandoz stopped legal shipments of LSD, it can be difficult to get the real thing. It is best to simply not use it, and if you must take something grow your own herb, mushrooms, and peyote instead, and use them with severe moderation.

edit: In addition, I would recommend staying away from Dextromethorphine Hydrobromide (DXM, or Robotussin Cough) as it will cause nerve damage. Whipits or nitrous is stupid, it kills cells, don't do it. Salvia didn't do anything for me, and yes we did it the right way, all my chemist friends felt it for sure. But it isn't anything you should do often. None of this is anything one should do often, or at all in some cases. Some people are very unprepared for the outcome, and if you do not have a strong constitution and belief in your self, it is best to mentally develop a bit more before trying anything discussed in this thread. Drugs are not all bad, mmkay? But that doesn't mean they are for everyone. People should also study what the CIA did last century with MK ULTRA and their plans for population control, as it is very relevant to our current circumstances. There are many books on these subjects, written by ex-CIA and others.