drgibbon

Oops, should have searched first.

Life long correlational studies like this one are interesting, but they can really only highlight relationships and general patterns, they don't demonstrate causality. It may be true that in their sample the moderate drinkers outlived the rest (on average), but that doesn't necessarily imply that there is positive biological effect of alcohol on longevity (although that may be the case).

What does he mean?

Glad I managed to beat a hangover and get down there, great way to spend the afternoon talking to rad peeps, see you all next time!

If the researcher is doing the study with integrity (sounds like it from these posts), then this could be a good step forward. I've been hoping to do something like this myself one day, quite surprised there's a study underway already!

Like I said in the 2nd post.. early Reich stuff was highly repetitive (short loops going out of phase with one another), and some people said they had ecstatic/breakthrough experiences listening to it (and other noise/experimental music, like La Monte Young's dreamhouse stuff). Whether they actually include any binaural beats stuff I have no idea, but it supposedly has similar effects on some people.

Yeah not knocking it, just that I never experienced it myself. I actually like quite of a bit of Reich's stuff, not really the newer work so much, but Music for 18 Musicians, Drumming, Electric Counterpoint, Different Trains.. stuff like that. I used to really like all the experimental/noise/atonal stuff, but maybe I'm getting old now I remember when I used to work at BP on the nightshift, I could play whatever I wanted, and Music for 18 Musicians was on ABC radio. This guy comes in and stood there for a second.. "hey that's steve reich.. I never thought I'd hear that playing in a service station", which I suppose doesn't happen all that often I was thinking the same thing.. maybe there's some potential for negative effects. Although it's strange how they're going off on that news report about "saving the kids" when it appears as though they don't know much about it at all. Other than.... IT'S DIGITAL DRUGS!!!!

"If you wanna reach these kids and save these kids" Alarmist or what? Sounds like irritating noise to me. Reminds me of people who listen to something like Xenakis's La Legende d'Eer, or early Steve Reich (It's Gonna Rain / Come Out) and reckon they have an ecstatic experience. Never experienced it myself

Might be fine, I brought back a few wood items from Peru, but Aussie customs never actually checked my bag so I don't know for sure (flight was from UK though). I had one of those shaman leaf shakers that got confiscated going through Mexico (got the red light on random bag search). But then again, I know a guy who successfully brought a massive cattle prod looking taser back from China. Luck of the draw I suppose.

Hey all nice to meet everyone, I'll hopefully make the next one and try to bring along some sort of interesting info =)

Awesome, I caught a river boat from Pucallpa to Iquitos as well, it was a great experience but it took 6 or 7 days all up (from memory about twice as long as it was meant to) so you might want to stock up! Vaya con Dios =)

Where's that one from? Couldn't find anything on the net about it.

Hi all, first (proper) post here. I'm starting out in the world of mycology with white oysters on BRF cakes from prints (and potentially shiitakes as well). I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on where to get cheap lab supplies for basic things like scalpels, glass stirring rods, inoc loops, etc?

Thanks for all the info everyone, much appreciated!

I'm studying psych at the moment, and I'm interested in the therapeutic applications of entheogens. I remember reading in PIHKAL about a psychologist who sometimes administered MDMA to particular clients in their own homes. In a supportive environment, I can definitely see how it could be beneficial (depending on the problem). Another one that comes to mind is a middle aged woman who went to Brazil to drink ayahuasca, and described her experience as "4 years of psychotherapy compressed into 4 hours". MAPS have found support for psilocybin/LSD being useful in treating cluster/suicide headaches, amongst other things. Not that I would promote it being carried out in Australia since many are currently illegal, but I think it's about time the research doors were opened up again here. Apart from treating specific problems (mental illness or whatever), I believe that humans have an innate need to experience spiritual/mystical states, maybe as a way to come to terms with the mystery of life/consciousness/death, I don't know, but accessing these states can be beneficial in terms of overall well being. Buddhism is the only mainstream religion I know of that seems to emphasise access to these states (through meditation), I think the method of Christianity was fasting, but that's become more of a symbolic thing in the church rather than a serious practise. I don't reckon there's any conspiracy that the government wants to "stop others expanding their consciousness", I see it more as a product of tradition and ignorance. Apparently companies and governments used to be quite enthusiastic about research into psychedelics. After the abuse in the 60's I think they must have been genuinely concerned that this stuff was a threat to the fabric of society. In a sense they were right, I'm sure there were many cases of people taking too much, with no one responsible around, and bad things happening. Unfortunately the panic that ensued led to scare tactics and the exaggerated negative aspects being perceived as the dominant/only possibility. Hopefully it's starting to swing back to a more balanced view these days.

Anything happening this Sunday?

I ordered some supplies just recently and they all came through. He's still updating the site, some new things have appeared in the last week or so, others have gone out of stock. I think it's accurate.

Hello