Well, as someone over 60 who has been exploring psychedelics for quite some time, it’s clear that only a young person could write this post because someone my age would never refer to ourselves as “old folks”. A bit condescending, I would say.
Quite frankly, the people I know over 60 are finding it hard to find a guide that is within their age range, with the life experience & a different kind of wisdom & life perspective than many of the guides who are flooding the market within the last few years have.
Honestly, my husband & I have been asked to act as guides for our community & we’ve resisted because it’s such a responsibility, but now feel that wise, experienced, over 60 guides are so needed & it’s truly a gift to offer someone…so I may just continue learning about trip sitting.
Just some thoughts about “old folks” and by the way, I don’t consider myself old at all…
Let us not forget that ALL of the people who experimented with psychedelics when they first appeared on the scene who are still living are seniors. There are all kinds of good reasons to include seniors in studies, not the least of which is to get a before and after picture of people who may not have experienced psychedelics in over 50 years now.
Well, as a 77 y/o married white male with grandchildren I know I'm all too predictably "entitled" to enjoy the medicines without concern about the cost. I first tripped with LSD in 1971 in San Francisco (of course), with Ecstasy in the early to mid-80s (when it was legal and prescribed by therapists -- we used to call it the love drug), and then after a long pause I met a shaman in Oakland three years ago and have taken over 20 journeys with her guidance -- using MDMA, psilocybin, ayahuasca, marijuana, and once LSD but it didn't play nicely with the other medicines. I am more than willing to share the enormous benefits I received -- a lifetime of guilt and shame and frustrated sexuality, alcohol abuse and extreme physical exercise, all gradually dropped away and more recently I have felt the "individuation" that Jung writes of. Much more to say (and Pollan was a very weak attempt to describe a watered-down experience perhaps due to his own health issues) and hope some day to present (with my Guide) a full account of my experiences for the benefit of others contemplating taking the medicines. Please contact me if you wish to know more. John Windle (San Francisco).
I agree with Gau - "old folks" - really, that's the tone you want to take - folksy like Joe Biden? Older adults or even elders would do just as well but then you couldn't have the cute title. I admit to being surprised at the lack of - well, let me know how "old folks" sits with you when you're there. For those of us who are and who eagerly follow The Microdose and advocate for psychedelics coming off the DEA list forever, it's nice to escape now and again the ageism that abounds. Good idea - to put seniors/elders/older adults into the mix. Thanks for that.
Re: Let old folks trip too!
Well, as someone over 60 who has been exploring psychedelics for quite some time, it’s clear that only a young person could write this post because someone my age would never refer to ourselves as “old folks”. A bit condescending, I would say.
Quite frankly, the people I know over 60 are finding it hard to find a guide that is within their age range, with the life experience & a different kind of wisdom & life perspective than many of the guides who are flooding the market within the last few years have.
Honestly, my husband & I have been asked to act as guides for our community & we’ve resisted because it’s such a responsibility, but now feel that wise, experienced, over 60 guides are so needed & it’s truly a gift to offer someone…so I may just continue learning about trip sitting.
Just some thoughts about “old folks” and by the way, I don’t consider myself old at all…
Let us not forget that ALL of the people who experimented with psychedelics when they first appeared on the scene who are still living are seniors. There are all kinds of good reasons to include seniors in studies, not the least of which is to get a before and after picture of people who may not have experienced psychedelics in over 50 years now.
Well, as a 77 y/o married white male with grandchildren I know I'm all too predictably "entitled" to enjoy the medicines without concern about the cost. I first tripped with LSD in 1971 in San Francisco (of course), with Ecstasy in the early to mid-80s (when it was legal and prescribed by therapists -- we used to call it the love drug), and then after a long pause I met a shaman in Oakland three years ago and have taken over 20 journeys with her guidance -- using MDMA, psilocybin, ayahuasca, marijuana, and once LSD but it didn't play nicely with the other medicines. I am more than willing to share the enormous benefits I received -- a lifetime of guilt and shame and frustrated sexuality, alcohol abuse and extreme physical exercise, all gradually dropped away and more recently I have felt the "individuation" that Jung writes of. Much more to say (and Pollan was a very weak attempt to describe a watered-down experience perhaps due to his own health issues) and hope some day to present (with my Guide) a full account of my experiences for the benefit of others contemplating taking the medicines. Please contact me if you wish to know more. John Windle (San Francisco).
I am a 64-yo white woman living in The Bay Area and interested in perhaps volunteering for an old folks' trial.
Very interesting and true (in my case, anyway) article!
I agree with Gau - "old folks" - really, that's the tone you want to take - folksy like Joe Biden? Older adults or even elders would do just as well but then you couldn't have the cute title. I admit to being surprised at the lack of - well, let me know how "old folks" sits with you when you're there. For those of us who are and who eagerly follow The Microdose and advocate for psychedelics coming off the DEA list forever, it's nice to escape now and again the ageism that abounds. Good idea - to put seniors/elders/older adults into the mix. Thanks for that.