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Life was throwing me challenges, my best friend Milly (my dog) dying, my life going nowhere. I'd lost passion, projects not working, life going downhill. I turned to passionflower. Here's the journey and some science. It turned into three days on high dose ad libitum Passiflora incarnata. Chewed through a few hundred grams exploring it. Then got gifted some P. capsularis I'll explore more ceremonially. Note Passiflora contain cyanogenic glycosides at times. Brew appropriately/cautiously to stay safe. Passiflora is used for Finding the Spiritual Learning in Difficult Times. Attuning to Christ Consciousness. It helps us understand the deepest possible meaning of our own personal suffering, after which it assists in the ascent to our truest calling of service on the planet. It is useful in strengthening one’s connection to selfless service and unconditional love Going to brew up a Passionflower dose today, should keep me going. I tried low doses and never got much, going to push it a bit after my social therapy in the city today. The genus Passiflora is popularly used to treat a variety of ailments. predominately anxiety. Passiflora incarnata is an important plant used in Ayurveda for the treatment of various disorders of the CNS and is a rich source of flavonoids (flavonoid content ~2.5%). It contains indole alkaloids (harmalol, harmol, harmane, harmaline and harmine) and flavonoids like orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin in the aerial parts. The recommended daily dosage of dried passion flower is 4-8 grams, some suggest starting at 2g. P. edulis (edulis and flavicarpa) also show anti-depressant and anxiolytic activity, containing O-flavonoids, C-flavonoids, cyanogenic glycosides and fatty acids. Harman type alkaloids found in P. incarnata were not detected in P. edulis. Passiflora edulis 'flavicarpa' (yellow fruit) is extremely different from Passiflora edulis 'edulis' (purple fruit). The six major flavonoid compounds isolated from the leaves of Passiflora edulis 'flavicarpa', lucenin-2, vicenin-2, isoorientin, isovitexin, luteolin-6-C-chinovoside, and luteolin-6-C-fucoside, had not been detected in Passiflora edulis 'edulis'. It is clear this plant shows considerable qualitative and quantitative variability with respect to its content. With P. incarnata, following oral administration at high dose, the extract exerted an anxiolytic effect that was comparable to diazepam and mediated by the GABAergic system. Findings suggest that the consumption of a low dose of Passiflora incarnata, in the form of tea, yields short-term subjective sleep benefits for healthy adults with mild fluctuations in sleep quality. It positively modulates circadian rhythms by inducing high-amplitude rhythms in the expression of several circadian clock genes. P. incarnata flowers has significant antiparkinsonian and cognition enhancing activity Analysis of plant material cultivated in Australia revealed two chemically distinct groups of P. incarnata - distinct intraspecific chemotypes exist in this species. The two distinct groups differ with respect to their C-glycosyl flavone profile, with little within-group variation. One chemotype was dominated by isovitexin and schaftoside/isoschaftoside, as is most widely reported in the literature for this species. The other chemotype was characterized by a high level of swertisin, with low levels of schaftoside/isoschaftoside. Passiflora incarnata has long been used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety in Europe, and it has been used as a sedative tea in North America. Furthermore, this plant has been used for analgesic, anti-spasmodic, anti-asthmatic, wormicidal and sedative purposes in Brazil; as a sedative and narcotic in Iraq; and for the treatment of disorders such as dysmenorrhoea, epilepsy, insomnia, neurosis and neuralgia in Turkey. In Poland, this plant has been used to treat hysteria and neurasthenia; in America, it has been used to treat diarrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, neuralgia, burns, haemorrhoids and insomnia. Passiflora incarnata has also been used to cure subjects affected by opiate dependence in India. Passiflora edulis 'flavicarpa' displayed anxiolytic activity at lower doses and sedative activity at high doses while Passiflora edulis 'edulis' exhibited sedative effects. P. edulis induces stronger anxiolytic-like effects compared to P. alata. ~~~ I'm two days into high dose passionflower with my other plants, mainly trying to calm and uplift the spirit, get some sleep and attune deeper to heart. I've pushed it quite a bit, started at 20g. While it's not suggested more is always better, I wanted to relate to this plant on a deeper level. Got up to quite a bit more today. I've tried typical medicinal doses and never regarded it as personally useful for such. Actually got a half-decent sleep last night. If I had to describe it at higher doses - it's starts living up to being anxiolytic, slightly hypnotic/sedative, spiritually attuning, anti-neurotic but with the ability to remain functional. I want to use it a bit more. Definitely feels nicely flavonoidy. I've been trying two lots, one's mainly organic leaf from an Australian grown plant, the other is very stem laden. Have to try and note some differences. It can be used for inducing heightened spiritual states, greater awareness, channeling and even peak experiences of a religious nature The Cherokee used Passiflora incarnata as a 'social drink' and in religious ceremonies. It has been used in 'love medicine', to calm the heart and spirit and in sacred ceremonies for those who had passed on. Accounts of spiritual use have been recorded from Druid texts, to Ayahuasca type ceremonial practices. Amazonian species of Passiflora are used as an additive to ayahuasca to intensify the visions experienced during ceremonial rituals. Maracuja (P. edulis) juice plays a significant role in Brazilian jurema rituals, which are similar to ayahuasca rituals, but which are not particularly well understood at this time Passionflower is used to bring peace to the soul. Passionflower is thought to transfer Christ properties and vibration of Christ consciousness. This term is not associated to religious practice - the plant supports the re-patterning of consciousness to attain wholeness again. It's known to repair the ego - mending it to the superego - supporting a feeling of enlightenment day to day mental constructs. I'm finding it's quite anti-neurotic - "The mandala-like flower demonstrates the powerful signature of its use in circular thinking, passionflower is especially suited for folks who have a hard time letting things go, mulling them over incessantly in a repetitive manner." "The plant was used in purely sacred or sacramental rituals. It was allowed to grow wherever there were ritualistic places where worship, understanding of God and Earth, and working with energy of a more spiritual nature was taking place. The Lemurians, as they saw these energies in their rituals become permeated into the various plants, felt the loving and joyous energies from passion flower and from its vines and roots. This created a resonance, so passion flower was often used to close ceremonies." I'm going more for flavonoid resonances. While it contains harmala alkaloids more recent analyses of commercial passionflower samples indicated that harmane content ranged from 0 to 0.1 ug/g and harmine ranged from 0 to 0.27 ug/g . Another analysis found the average harmine level in Passiflora caerulea was 0.098 mg/g. This is much higher level of harmala alkaloid as compared to the levels found in the Passiflora incarnata samples, P. incarnata had an average value of 0.031 mg/g harmol and an average of 0.00935 mg/g harmine.That said, the levels of the harmala alkaloids varied widely between samples of Passiflora incarnata and every analysis seems to be different, it is suggested that time of harvest, growing conditions and even chemotypes play a role. Some ayahuasca-type brews have been successful with 300g of material to inhibit MAO, to me that level of flavonoid effect would be very different. Abourashad et al report the harmala levels detected in 104 samples of Passiflora, and 50 of the samples had no detectable levels of harmala alkaloids. Cavin & Rodriguez state that harmala alkaloids frequently occur in such small concentrations that they have not been quantified, which may be a reason that their presence in species of Passiflora is at times disputed and not always reproducible. ~~~ Find passionflower at very high doses nicely works as a restructuring healing resonance that doesn't cause weird ego phenomena and struggles. It's a real healing resonance if you attune to a high dose. While some of our stonger Allies can be mess with you a bit and can cause issues as far as I'm concerned - deluded struggles restructuring to a better place. Give you more than you need to work with. Cacao is nice in that it's a holistic shadow integrative emotional enhancer etc but this is very simply spiritually and emotionally nurturing on all levels and I can see why they attribute Christ consciousness properties to it. ~~~ I'm quite impressed with where the high dose passionflower took me. It was a nice restructure to a better place. Chewed through a lot over 3 days in my 'dose escalation honeymoon get to know the ally' phase. Happy with where it got me to, in an uplift and re-integration on a holistic level. Enough anxiolysis, a spirit of compassionate acceptance towards myself and others and transcendence of suffering, a feeling of moving on, emotionally attuning, to start to reform some healthy social connections which was needed. Felt like a spiritual tune up. Got a few social things happening on the horizon. Feeling easier to talk to people, had a nice chat to a friend on the phone when I haven't really talked to a human closer friend properly for a long time, enjoyed that. Feel like approaching the day with more loving optimism. More gratitude Been enjoying going for walks, tending to the garden when recently it was a dreary sad depressing chore. Got myself in a giving without seeking return place, actually giving a crap about helping people more. Feel invigorated to restart living more with some projects. More embodied care and compassion. Not going to keep pushing it, want to see if I can maintain that without the high doses. ~~~ Kindly gifted some Passiflora capsularis material to explore. I'm going to treat this more sacredly and ceremonially and use lower doses. I'll grow this one in my garden, too. Passiflora capsularis (see analysis of various Passiflora here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjp.2016.06.007) contained isoorientin, orientin, vitexin and isovitexin while P. incarnata contained predominately isoorientin, vitexin and isovitexin. P. edulis f. flavicarpa contained isoorientin, isovitexin and P. edulis f. edulis isoorientin, vitexin or vitexin, isovitexin. P. capsularis samples showed the most pronounced difference in quantity of constituents in different samples with morphoanatomical variation. The concentration of flavonoid glycosides showed a sharp increase in leaves collected from sunny places. Nevertheless, the composition of flavonoids remained unchanged. Analysis results varied depending on whether it was grown in the shadow of trees or an open space with direct exposure to the sun. Such differences in concentration result from plant adaptations to different light intensities by regulating their physiological states and changing their primary and secondary metabolic pathways. In doing so, their anabolic and catabolic processes achieve their maximum functional status Isoorientin, orientin and isovitexin (from Cecropia pachystachya) exhibit antidepressant-like effects with antioxidant properties. Along with other properties, they may inhibit GSK3β. Orientin-intake could be beneficial as a preventive strategy for chronic stress-induced depression, with antidepressant effects mediated by BDNF. Orientin attenuated brain injury through the TLR4/NF-κB/TNF-α pathway. Vitexin is neuroprotective with effects related to inhibiting the activities of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors and reducing the calcium influx - Passiflora can potentially act as modulators of the glutamatergic system. Vitexin has anticonvulsant effects in the brain, possibly through interaction at the benzodiazepine site of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor complex. The anti-depressant-like effect of vitexin is mediated through an increase in catecholamine levels in the synaptic cleft as well as through interactions with the serotonergic 5-HT1A, noradrenergic α2, and dopaminergic D1, D2, and D3 receptors.

This one has flowered non stop since the start of spring

I have been meaning to take some pics of this, and today seems like a great day to update this thread. Happy Birthday, Sir Jeans!! One of your babies is flowering for me on a couple of columns this year. I am SUPER stoked about this, as it has genetics that deserve to be spread. I have 2 large plants I don't cut, (and some smaller ones I'll cut if needed). I have wanted these 2 big ones to produce flowers, and the one in the pot has now done so! It's much scrappier looking and slower to grow than it's clone I have in the ground, which pumps out massive linear growth on all 8 of it's columns each year, but no signs of flowers on that one. And a comparison of the one flowering in the pot, and the much larger one in the ground. So it won't happen this year, but this is one step towards possibly being to make Jeans X Eileen and vice versa, at some stage. This year the crosses will be something else.

Sent some samples away to be tested, below are pics of the samples and the test results. These were tested by - http://alvalab.es who i can recommend as a very good business where you can get samples tested. I encourage people to do this, pay a couple bucks and get your mushrooms tested. Subs from an isolated area, Eucalyptus forest, restricted area, so very little foot traffic etc... Sent these as the 'control' sample so i had results to compare the other two samples to. (lol) Gill freaks, growing in a dark pine forest, pines are probs, 10+ yrs old, pines in this spot previously felled and re planted. White gills, growing in an open pine coup, felled a couple of years ago and replanted with new pines The tef sequences for the three samples, 1, 2 and 3, in that order Knowing nothing about DNA results or how to interpret them i fwd'd the results to a couple people who do, thank you to those people. Conclusion is - sample 1 - 100% P. subaeruginosa sample 2 - 98% P. subaeruginosa sample 3 - 98% P. subaeruginosa Interestingly i found out during this that there has not been enough work done with P. subaeruginosa to reference these results against other P. subaeruginosa results. Results from P. cyanescens which P. subaeruginosa are very closely related are used to asses subaeruginosa DNA results. This is how i understand it, though i may be wrong.

Seeking a plant with a fair few leaves and/or some dried leaf if possible cheers

I've been working on it for a while, maybe 10 years. It went unconditional today. I've finally bought a place with land, a home, a retreat, a track for the kids to ride their bikes, the forest next door but not close to the house, a huge shed, close to work, an outdoor area, humid and lush. For those of you who have done this before I tip my hat, it almost drove me nuts. It's a long path with many choices filled with pros and cons, sacrifices and benefits. Now I'm planning greenhouses and chicken coops, raised beds and natural fences.

Considering selling this beauty not sure what they're worth so I'm open to offers, really don't want to sell it but my child's needs come first so please throw me reasonable offers, I can only say no right ? Cheers

Thanks for the input I'm going to justify this addiction: Honestly, it's better to be on the nicotine that precipitating severe pathology. It's not so much about hardening up when nicotine is addressing symptoms that can be lethally scary. I'm not using other more typical Western medicines to manage things, when before I was on ECT/ supratherapeutic doses of antidepressant, maximal doses of other potent psychotropics. I haven't found superior ways to manage these sort aspects of my health, the other meds weren't doing it well. Like I've said, I don't particularly want to give up because it is an effective medication and it keeps me from turning to worse things. I'd rather be in control more of my use. Sometimes I just need a break for a 'reset' I feel. Pressure from the external world to give up when I think more more people should appreciate it as viable medicine. I've always found that I need to just minimise the risk using it. The pros are it works well, it is virtually devoid of side effects. Better tailorable PRN symptom reduction for affective issues than anything I've found that's readily available. Cons cost and tolerance. I do several walks a day but nothing too high intensity, could step that up. If you've been exposed to nicotine and seem to be able to manage your intake, it seems viable but I wouldn't risk a severe addiction by starting that as a medication in someone not exposed to nicotine, except as a more serious consideration. @MapachoHave you considered proanthocyanidins like Pine Bark ? I'd also consider something like galantamine if you can find it, or trying Spanish Sage EO, just to see if they help over nicotine.

Done. Passiflora's incoming. Has ticked both the medicinal and gastronomic boxes. win win

The missus managed to get it up on eBay https://m.ebay.com.au/itm/button-cactus-crested-lophophora/282890903493

Thanks for the huge boost Skel, you're a legend mate. Mrs Northy is planning the furniture and details that I miss, she's good at that sort of thing. I'm gonna set various species of psychotria free in the forest, being an understory and that everything loves to eat them I don't reckon they'll get out of hand. All is go... just signed the final (or what I think is the final) document today, Justice of Peace present and all.

Hey, It's a great time of the year to sow trichocereus seed. It's a great time to sow many types of seed. I live near byron bay.

Hahaha Halycon are you trying to turn him into a neckbeard? Kindness the way I overcame it was being abstinent, make up your mind to not take your poison of choice and stick to it there is no other option, if it rears it's ugly head up to say hi 1. Tell it to fuck off. 2. Go throw some heavy metal objects around the room. 3. Move your body run, walk, get out into nature. 4. Go eat healthy fulfilling foods. 5. Be active keep your mind busy do whatever it takes. I used to think that I could take subsititutes for the addiction but your are still reinforcing the wiring to seek out substances, it didnt work, not until I made up my mind to not use ever again. Even years later through some low periods the craving still pops up to say hi, but is easily manageable and goes as quickly as it came on. This is the exact advice that I've recieved for 10 years and rejected it for that whole time, but it actually works.

Some jams from the plantation Someone decided they wanted to be different! A few self sown jams Took a mistletoe spp berry, squished it and placed it on a A acuminata branch. Don't think it'll grow but worth a try Some fat little terscheckii x terscheckii Grew some Bhut Jolokia plants this year as I gave it a miss the last season. I always top my plants when they have 4-6 nodes. Dehydrated and powdered what was ripe. The trunk on them is a good 3cm diameter

Using Bigreds super shaman abilities I am using the force to redirect a asteroid from deep space .The Asteroid named Banjo is 40 light years away and travelling and great speed (will become one with it when gets closer in case i need to ditch it into the sun ) but will hit the ark with the power of a small atomic bomb and will leave a big crater .I know it not very shaman of me but sir Darwin contacted me and said I need to help with evolution a little bit .We might experience a nuclear type winter but may be for the best with current climate trends .This is the best idea i came up with any other ideas will be taken into consideration

Yeah, I hope so too SayN. Thanks. I don't really know anyone who is mad enough for my soft of parties irl. Will have to see what I can do.... Couple of pics.

Thai forest lay follower under ajahn brahm here If I was single and without a daughter I'd be a monk, no doubt. Alas here I am. Meditation retreat junkies are a thing haha. I'm looking forwards to a rains retreat when I get the chance. 90 days of noble silence...I can only wistfully imagine the stillness and clarity I would be able to fall into. Despite this I have found there is plenty of space available in lay life to develop very powerful practices of ethical conduct and meditation, which requires prioritising practice and hacking away at the unessential. Throughout my life I could never find a core to myself, personality wise, and it is still clear to me that so much of what we think and feel and perceive is conditioned by the aggregates. Shamanic practice seems, atleast in the shipibo tradition, to follow a similar path in the beginning (as do many other religious philosophies). I gravitate towards shamanic medicines because they seem to be so symbiotic with the dhamma that the Buddha espoused. All the best for your paths!

Yes i follow the samatha (concentration) Buddhism and was taught about using Jhana for spiritual awakening by a Thai tradition. I am close to achieving first jhana in my daily meditations, and feel this is a best approach for me as I become mentally unstable. I love spiritual things, Buddhism and the real pursuit of awakening. It gives my life the meaning it deserves.

Very effective protest technique.

PD, we've been through this too many times already, but none of us are getting younger and there will be more and more. Some by accident, some intentionally, some due to poor health. They are all sad, but we need to celebrate their lives and their contributions. Come up for the camp out - it will be good.

Another $20 thanks to mysubtleascention.

Nice write-up mate, I hope it keeps working for you So sorry for your loss of Milly, she looked like such a beautiful and heartwarming dog. Wishing everything on the mend for you <3

If it has spines over a certain length (i think 10mm) then it won't be allowed on board. I've had to remove my cutting once, but bought some scissors at the chemist and cut all the spines off which was then fine. I had to surrender the scissors though, LOL.

hi, sablings! i spend a lot of time taking pics and editing, so you bloody better read this, and click this thread often. no i'm joking, but i learned sooo much today, and i'm sure, this reply, contains good info. click on the pics to enlarge them! 1, pic of my selected echinopsis, taken today, and already showing the sunken core. note, i trimmed and shaped the echinopsis, already 24h before this shot. shaping the pedro and waiting for the core to sink, and than doing the grafting, will give much better results, as the scion will not get pushed off, once the area starts to dry up. 2, this pic shows what i learned today, and i'v never seen a pic like it. it shows the vascular bundles, in crossection, shaped like an upside down V. 3, this pic shows the trimmed lophophora areole, from the top. 4, this pic shows the areole, from the bottom, note one can barely notice the vascular ring, again a new thing for me to see. as we all know, those rings need to be matched up, with the ring of the stock. small rings, like above, one tries to match up with the stock's, ring, but if they are bigger, do the olympic rings thing. if the are of different size, aim the small one, anywhere matching the bigger one. 5, all finished for today, i hope they take, it's a rainy day here. note, i used different methodes to keep the scion in place, washers and pantyhose.