venomai

Hash brownies. :) They are typically just chocolate brownies with THC in them to get you intoxicated. Hash browns are the potato stuff you can get at McDonalds... :P I'm not saying you should try drugs, I just think the public needs to adopt a better (more accurate) image of them.

How can you justify cars or sports when people die from them? You don't overdose from LSD/psilocybin/cannabis because it isn't toxic enough. However, these drugs have been known to kill. Lots of suicides have been thought to be caused by cannabis-induced paranoia. Lots of people pick mushrooms thinking they are psychedelic only to find out they are poisonous. There's an interesting quote about cannabis-related deaths near the end, in my "Health Issues" section. Even though there is a risk, it can be minimized through care and responsibility. "Soft drug" is a pretty loose term, but usually it refers to: cannabis, LSD, mescaline, shrooms, sometimes MDMA and caffeine. I think salvia would also be considered a soft drug, among others. Hard drugs are not something I ever want to try. Simply put, these are the ones that give the other drugs a "bad reputation". They are much easier to overdose with and/or become addicted to. Heroin and cocaine are two big players in the field of hard drugs, and they are the ones that usually make the news when it comes to death and rehab. They still can be used responsibly, but for me the risk/reward ratio isn't worth it. Glad you enjoyed it. :) I disagree. For me, a night at the movies costs more money than a session with friends. The latter is also a lot more social, rather than just staring blankly at a screen for a long time. I'd rather not get addicted to anything... ;)

kelem_ryu: I'm sorry to hear about the schizophrenia. I agree that drugs should only be used responsibly/occasionally, problems tend to arise with any sort of abuse. (although this is a good rule of thumb for any activity, whether or not it's drug use) This is a good example of the media's influence on the general public. A better way of reading that would be: I once thought drugs were worse than alcohol/tobacco, but I've since discovered that this is not at all true. As far as harm goes... Lots of things are potentially harmful. Driving a car can be potentially harmful. Playing a sport can be potentially harmful. But... the media shows those activities in a different (more positive) light than drugs. Who would have guessed...? :-w

Why does everybody think Wikipedia is crap? It's just another encyclopedia -- a very accurate, updated and detailed one at that.[1] :wall: I feel like a broken record.

Just another drug discussion. Let's try to keep this discussion mature and intelligent. This is a G-rated forum, after all. Main questions: Why does the media project such a negative image on soft drugs, and what are your views on the subject? Do you think legalising soft drugs would have positive or negative impacts? etc. This discussion, for the most part, will focus on three major soft drugs: cannabis, LSD and psilocybin. I'll include facts and studies below to better educate you on the subject. I'll start with personal background so you can get an idea of my bias. I'm a 17 year old student going into grade 12. I do very well in school. I'm top of my class in programming, my favourite subject. As a casual smoker of marijuana and hashish, I have no history of serious mental or physical illness. I don't smoke tobacco, although I have tried hookah once. I've never tried LSD or psilocybin, but I plan to try it responsibly in the near future. Less than a year ago I was convinced that these sort of drugs were extremely harmful and ruined your life. I believed that they were illegal for good reasons. Eventually I began to research the topic of drugs and have found that soft drugs like LSD, psilocybin and cannabis (among others) are far less harmful than alcohol and cigarettes. They are also less physically addictive than caffeine (let alone tobacco or alcohol). Now... I've reconsidered my position on drugs and I'm all for the idea of (responsible) soft drugs for recreational use. ----- I understand that many people have a skewed idea of soft drugs, often due to the media. Before entering the discussion I urge you to please educate yourselves in the subject. I've included lots of information on cannabis, LSD and psilocybin below. Citations are included. Feel free to criticise my findings, I'll update them as necessary. :) Cannabis[hide] Basics: Marijuana and hash are usually consumed through smoking. However, they can also be taken orally, by cooking food with the THC (one psychoactive molecule that produces the "high" associated with marijuana). A popular example is oral consumption is eating hash brownies.[1] Non-Recreational Uses: Hemp is another term for the Cannabis plant. Most people tend to use it when discussing the industrial uses of cannabis. The book The Emperor Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer explains the many uses of the hemp plant. The book offers $100,000 to anyone who can prove his claims wrong.[2][3] According to his website, nobody has taken him up on that challenge. The back of his book says the following: Here's an image which better explains the many uses for hemp.[4] Medical marijuana has also shown to be useful in many ailments. It's good to know that medical marijuana isn't manufactured just to get you "high" -- it's made to help you. There are many issues medical marijuana can help prevent: Appetite Loss, Nausea, Cancer Chemotherapy, AIDS Wasting Syndrome, Nausea From Cancer Chemotherapy, Glaucoma, Multiple Sclerosis, Depression, ParkinsonÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s Disease and a wide variety of others. For more details on each, see here. Effects: As with most drugs, the effect will vary depending on set and setting, the dosage, the individual, etc. For details on the effects, see here. From personal experience, I can say that my usual "high" consists of euphoria, giggles, heightened sense of taste and sound, greater appreciation for life, general slowness, slightly more vivid colours and, occasionally, anxiety. I find that anxiety can be minimized in a proper set and setting. Dependence/Tolerance: Most people say cannabis is not addictive, but this isn't entirely true. Physical addiction may be low, but mentally you can easily become attached to the drug. Personally, my "marijuana addiction" is comparable to my "chocolate addiction" -- who doesn't love chocolate? This study shows caffeine is twice as addictive as marijuana in terms of dependence & withdrawal. However, people with addictive personalities can easily throw their lives away to a substance like marijuana. Mentally, marijuana can be extremely addictive because it puts you in such a happy mood and it's something you can do quite easily (ie: no need to inject needles). Most studies can go either way. Some say it's not addictive, and others say it is. [/hide] LSD[hide] Basics: In short, LSD is a very powerful hallucinogen made through chemical synthesis. It is usually consumed in pill form or through absorbent blotter paper. "Dropping a tab" or "taking a hit" of acid often refers to orally consuming a square of LSD-soaked blotter paper.[5] Non-Recreational Uses: Originally, LSD-25 was planned to be used as a powerful therapeutic agent. It has also shown to diminish the effects of OCD.[6][7] Effects: As with most drugs, the effect will vary depending on set and setting, the dosage, the individual, etc. For details on the effects, see here. Dependence/Tolerance: LSD is generally not considered physically addictive.[8] [/hide] Psilocybin mushrooms[hide] Basics: Psilocybin mushrooms are powerful hallucinogens with many similarities to LSD. They are consumed orally, often mixed with certain food/drink such as jello, tea, chocolate, etc.[9] Non-Recreational Uses: Can be used as a powerful therapeutic agent. Like LSD, it has also shown to help diminish OCD.[10] Effects: As with most drugs, the effect will vary depending on set and setting, the dosage, the individual, etc. For details on the effects, see here. Dependence/Tolerance: Psilocybin mushrooms are generally not considered physically addictive.[11] [/hide] Health Effects [hide]I split this into it's own section because of it's importance and because certain information overlaps between the three drugs. Using any drug involves a certain level of risk. Soft drugs are no exception. Why bother with them, you may ask? For the experience. Much like an extreme skiier enjoys the experience, a recreational drug user also enjoys the experience. Both activities involve a certain element of risk, and must be done responsibly and carefully. Those with a history of mental and/or physical illness should stay clear of both activities, as it could be dangerous to their body and/or mind. Dependence vs. Physical Harm Cannabis and LSD (psilocybin would be relatively close to LSD) are low in terms of physical addiction and physical harm, especially when compared to other drugs like alcohol and tobacco. A study published on The Lancet 24 March 2007 shows the following results: (image from Cannabis article on Wikipedia, I can't find original source) Mental Effects: One of the most dangerous aspects of any drug is the fear it can bring out. Most drugs alter your mind. Hallucinogens, like LSD and psilocybin, are very powerful substances. Users with a history of mental illness should stay clear of all drugs. With hallucinogens, heavy fear can result in a "bad trip". These are most often experienced by beginners or irresponsible users, although long-time users can still experience bad trips on occasion. A bad trip can be avoided with better preparation and better "set and setting" (mind set and location). It's strongly encouraged to have a "trip sitter" when you use any drugs. If you have a trusted friend with you he/she can "talk you down" and get you back into a enjoyable state of mind. They can also ensure your safety by not letting you do anything dangerous to yourself or to others.[12] Bad experiences with drugs often lead to further problems. Many drugs have been known to increase chances of schizophrenia and psychosis.[13] Physical Effects: Physically, most soft drugs are not dangerous. They tend to be non-toxic and not physically harmful. However, it's important to note that smoking cannabis can be physically harmful. Lung damage is very possible from smoking too much marijuana.[14] One U.S. study shows that there is no link between marijuana and lung cancer.[15] Although many sources claim that marijuana contains more tar than a cigarette, they often leave out vital information.[16] (sources were includes at the bottom of the article) In any case, risk from smoking can be prevented by consuming cannabis orally (eating it). LSD and psilocybin do not have these harmful effects because they are not smoked. Another physical danger is accidental intake of noxious substances. For example, there have been cases were seekers of psychedelic mushrooms have been injured or even died from picking toxic mushrooms rather than psilocybin.[17] It should be noted that actual psychedelic mushrooms are non-toxic and have been shown to contain less toxicity than aspirin, according to a study by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. To increase profit, many illicit drug dealers use certain chemicals or techniques to make the drugs more potent, weigh more, or appear more effective. Also, some dealers may lace their substances with harsher drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, which can indeed cause harm and even death. These problems can be prevented through legalisation and regulation of soft drugs. Drugs should never be taken while pregnant or in the presence of young, developing minds.[18][19] Overdose: It's extremely difficult to overdose on soft drugs like cannabis, LSD and magic mushrooms. However, unlike many teens believe, it does lead to other problems which can eventually result in death.[20] Similar problems can arise with LSD and psilocybin. Many of these problems can be avoided with a "trip sitter" -- a trusted friend who helps you if you enter a bad state of mind or try to do something you'll later regret. HPPD: Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder is very rare but does happen in LSD/mushroom users and abusers. Not much is known about it yet. HPPD is a long-lasting disorder where one feels like they are "tripping" even weeks or months after last having a hallucinogen. It mostly only occurs from hallucinogen users who have experienced bad trips. Victims of HPPD constantly see "tracers" (trails behind moving objects, etc), distortions, flowing movements and changing colours, etc. They also feel a higher level of paranoia, depersonalization and derealization. Usually the effect goes away after a few weeks, but some people have to live with this for many years. Most suffering from HPPD learn to live otherwise normal lives. See this community for more information. As you can see, risk is involved even with soft drugs. Responsible drug use can minimize both physical and mental risk, but not completely remove it. If you want to be completely safe, the obvious choice is to avoid drugs completely...[/hide]

It's actually an extremely accurate source of information. Recent research shows that Wikipedia is comparable to Encyclopedia Britannica. http://science.slashdot.org/science/05/ ... =95&tid=14 To be safe, you should always check the citations.

Advertising revenue. :)

Many times? Yes, some of the things in the Bible are loosely based on real life. But most of these stories have never been fully proved by the scientific and historical communities. As for the Red Sea and the Exodus, I suppose you are referring to the controversial discovery of "chariot wheels" by Ron Wyatt. Even if this is true, I don't see how this proves that a man named Moses parted a sea through the power of God. :-k Wikipedia talks about the subject in detail.[1][2][3] * It can't be logically explained yet "logically, it's totally possible." :?: Do you see something wrong with your argument? Most of the time it's simply due to advances in science. Better understanding of human health leads to differences in the way we treat our bodies. We eat healthier, we keep ourselves clean, and we have better doctors keeping care of us. And certain drugs definitely do help if you choose to take them. :) I guessed that much... :

Parties can be verrryyy fun with alcohol and/or other drugs. :) But as the others are saying, you should definitely wait a year or two... you don't want to start that stuff too early. :lol: I don't know too many party ideas since most that I host are pretty simple and to the point (alcohol & weed). The parties I remember the best are those with an extra kick. Blacklight, disco lights, glow sticks, foam, steam, etc. are all cool additions. Themed parties (ie: superheroes) are always good fun... And letting people crash overnight is always a bonus. Browse google for better ideas. :) Good luck.

I love Noam Chomsky's stuff, but it can be a bit dry at times. For entertainment's sake I say Tolkein, Daniel Silva, Lee Child... Maybe Dan Brown. In terms of actual writing ability I also enjoy Hemingway, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Philip Pullman, and of course Shakespeare.

One would argue that those without faith are just as blind and don't have any arguments to "disprove" God or the belief. Just trying to be the devil's advocate here...

Heh I'm a bit of the opposite. I'm a sucker for art... For me the taste isn't complete without proper composition and nice texture/form! So.. yea... maybe I'll be a chef. :-w

Buddhism... what a beautiful religion.

Nope... Not at all. In fact, many homosexuals hide the truth and pretend to act straight. Only bisexuals can truly choose not to be heterosexual or homosexual, as they aren't totally restricted by the desires of the body and mind. Sometimes, but IMO it's also because girls tend to be less homophobic and therefore don't worry so much about same-sex contact. Riiight... cause we all know how up-to-date the Bible is with the 21st century. :roll: The Times They Are a-Changin' I guess you haven't reached sex ed in school yet. HIV affects both heterosexuals and homosexuals. It is transmitted from individual to individual, regardless of gender. If you haven't already guessed, I'm very pro-homosexuality. EDIT: warri0r, great find. =D>

Please stop with the hypocrisy. You're own idea of terrorism and the Middle-East has been completely skewed from American mass media. Anyone who believes that America's counter-terrorism is working is being manipulated by "propaganda and media bulls*it". As I've already pointed out, global terrorism has increased seven-fold since America has invaded Iraq. You keep telling us how "naive" and "ignorant" we are, yet you blatantly ignore the facts that we spit at you. You called me "lazy" in an earlier post yet you don't bother researching before making outrageous claims that often prove to be false. I'm not anti-America. I love traveling to America and I love the people there. However, I'm a peaceful person and I'm strongly against your views on violence and military. I believe conflicts can be solved without war and violence. That's a minor aspect of terrorism. Mass media tells us that most terrorism is performed by Muslims through suicide bombings. This isn't always the case... Terrorism is simply the act of spreading fear. There is always a strong motive behind it, often political. Popular means of terrorism is through seemingly random acts of violence. Although terrorism can often be non-violent. Much of the true terrorism you see daily is created by your own government and the mass media. Daily broadcasts of suicide bombings and constant death in the news creates fear in viewers. The government reminds you that you are "at war" with terrorists. Nobody is safe. Nobody is protected. This makes it easy for the government to introduce new laws, new programs, and, most importantly, spend more money on military efforts. This means cutbacks to healthcare, education, social services, etc. The government tells you it's for "your protection" and they end up looking like the good guys. Anti-terrorism is being used as a control mechanism by the U.S. government. It lets them do what they want, when they want, and the public abides because of their fear. Check out Chomsky & terrorism for some interesting chatter.

Nope... Religious debates never really end.

Yep... that one scared me to death when I was younger. Half Life and Doom 3 had some scary "pop out" moments which made me jump the first time through. :

Yes, like I said in my last post; religion adapts to changes in society. Although the quotes prove that the Qu'ran does (literally) contradict the Bible, which is what the discussion was about.

That's odd, since some of them contradict each other. :-k Here's mine. It only worked in FireFox for me. It's very accurate. :)

Here are some quotes. http://www.religionfacts.com/christiani ... igions.htm http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer ... ision=div1 However, different interpretations will lead to different opinions. Most religions have adapted to better suit the ideals of the 21st century. Religious pluralism is becoming increasingly important in all religions. The Dalai Lama tells us:

I agree... Personally, I'd rather be born blind than deaf. However, my life has since become dependent on visuals. At this point I'd rather be deaf.

Why become a police officer? Why donate organs or blood? A lot of people enjoy saving lives. :) Many of the sick and poor aren't in a position to help themselves. "Love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matthew 5: 43, etc.)

As a Canadian, I was deeply affected by 9/11 and I have shared the same grief as the rest of North America. I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I apologise if my comments offended you. Whether or not that's true; these civilians are dying because of the war. Although it has been known to happen... :( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12838343/ Instead, the army uses the less accurate "cluster bombs" to destroy entire cities and towns. :-s http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0226-06.htm I disagree... You started this war by invading Iraq. Unfortunately, you are mistaken. Jihadist terrorism has increased dramatically since the invasion of Iraq. I strongly suggest you read up on it... http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature ... rmath.html Here's an interesting quote from that article: PS: Sorry for hijaking this thread with the whole war aspect... Although I think it's still slightly relevant.

Always put it in code tags or it won't work. ;) ,,########################################,, .*##############################################* ,*####*:::*########***::::::::**######:::*###########, .*####: *#####*. :*###,.#######*,####*. *####: *#####* .###########* ,####* .*####: ,#######, ##########* :####* *####. :#########*, ,,,,,,,,. ,####: ####* ,##############****************:,, .####* :####*#####################################**, *####. *############################################*, :####: .#############################################*,####* :#####:*****#####################################. *####: .,,,:*****###########, .*####, *######* .####* :*#######* ,#####* *###############*,,,,,,,,::**######, *##############################: *####*****##########**#####* .####*. :####* :####* .#####, *####: *####: .*####, *####* :####*####* *######, *##, Source: http://chris.com/ascii/ Here's my favourite text art: http://www.frikis.org/images/ascii/tux.html (WARNING: not for slow computers) Although it's not exactly what you'd call ASCII Art. ;)

Yes, certain countries in the Middle East are unsafe at the moment (no thanks to America's response to 9/11) Oh yes. 3000 innocent American lives. How dare we retaliate. Well, that put us in our place, didn't it? Around 68,747 to 75,194 innocent Iraqi lives have been lost from America's "War on Terror".[1] The death count from 9/11 is 2,752.[2] The war has sent 3,680 more Americans to their graves.[3] Retaliation is expected, but this unnecessary violence. Much of the Middle East sees America as the true terrorist here. I'd say it's justified after reading the death counts. Nope... The United States have a relatively low population density compared to many Middle Eastern countries. Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Pakistan, etc. all have higher population densities than The United States.[4]