In this lesson you are going to learn why your teenager is interested in doing psychedelics and what you as a parent can do to keep them safe.
In it you will learn:
- The type of teen that uses psychedelics
- How concerned you should be
- The different types of these drugs
- How they affect the mind and body
- How to best approach the situation
- A sample talk you can have with your teen
Introduction
I will first discuss the different types of psychedelics your teenager may be using, what effect they might have on them, how concerned you should be, and how to talk to your teenager about them.
Types Of Psychedelics
Types: Mushrooms, LSD, & DMT
Concern Level: 6
I have combined these three substances into one lesson because even though they’re different chemically speaking, your teenager’s frame of mind is the same regardless of which one they ingest. It’s important to understand that these substances are not drugs per se. While the government technically defines them as such, they all derive from natural components already growing in nature.
Mushrooms
Native Americans and many other tribal groups in Central and South America use these natural fungi as a form of ritual as they believe it puts them in touch with other worlds. I’m not going to get on a spiritual or philosophical soapbox since that is not what this course is about. But mushrooms do provide a way for humans to learn more about the meaning of life and to develop a stronger relationship with your spirit.
Here are some basic factoids:
1. What causes the mushrooms to cause hallucinations are the psilocybin that has grown on the mushroom.
2. Mushrooms are not very common with most teenagers but some take them.
3. The effects of taking mushrooms lasts up to four hours and typically send the person on an inner journey where they can explore the nature of reality, their emotions, and their sense of self.
4. Mushrooms are not addictive.
5. It’s better to take mushrooms in a tea than to eat them because mushrooms can cause an upset stomach and affect peoples experience in a negative way.
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) aka “Acid”
LSD is another hallucinogen that is derived from the rye plant. When ingested it will have similar affects to mushrooms and take the individual on a hallucinogenic journey. What people see is a fractal world where everything is broken down. It’s been said that what a person sees on acid is actually more real than what we see with our own eyes (did you know there’s a chemical in your brain that stops you from seeing the entire world as it really is?).
The effects of LSD can last around ten to twelve hours. If the person taking them has some form of inner conflict or is in a bad state of mind, they can go on a “bad trip”. A bad trip is when all your suppressed emotions come to the surface. So in many ways, it’s actually a good trip. Just depends on how you look at it.
LSD is not addictive. The only concern you should have is if your teen is not in a safe place or if they are taking it while their psychological makeup is unstable.
DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)
DMT is the other hallucinogen that teenagers and young adults take. The irony about this substance is that our brain (via the pineal gland) already produces this substance. While there are many technical reasons that this substance is different from mushrooms and LSD, to go into further detail about it would be an entirely different course.
DMT is not addictive and in terms of safety, the same applies here as with mushrooms and LSD – safe environment and the person’s psychological make-up should be stable.
Why Your Kid Will Like Psychedelics
Most teenagers who take psychedelics are doing it to get high and feel euphoric. The “trip” they’re on helps them perceive the world in an altered state and makes them giggle and laugh a lot. It can also be a bonding experience for your teenager and his or her friends.
If your teenager is taking psychedelics, then the chances are they’re very smart and don’t fit into school. Most teenagers who take them are generally “rebels” and go against the grain of society. They read a lot of books, have lots of questions, and are very artistic. Chances are if your one of those parents that say, “My kid is really smart but for some reason does not do well in school”, then your teenager has a high probability for taking psychedelics. The reason why they’re smart and don’t fit into school is because they think outside the box.
The Truth
Other then potentially taking too much, not being in a safe environment, or being psychologically unstable, psychedelics are not harmful and you do not need to be as concerned. Psychedelics are a psychological experience and it will challenge the mind and ego. Ideally if your teenager is taking them they should be doing so in a safe, natural, and ritualistic manner where they are respecting the “elements”. Ideally they should have a guide with them who can talk them through the experience.
The Downside
Psychedelics are a serious hallucinogen and deal with a person’s psyche. If the person is unstable emotionally it will bring this experience out in their “trip” and make them face it. If they don’t know how to “go with it” and face their issue, this can turn into a bad trip which means your teenager can go to a dark place mentally until they are talked through it or the affects wear off. Because psychedelics deal with the human psyche, what they actually do is resurface what the individual has suppressed in their subconscious mind forcing them to have to look closely at it. If they’re not able or ready to deal with these emotions, it can affect them negatively. This is what is meant by “bad trip”.
The Upside
If taken responsibly and your teenager has a good experience, it can help them grow as a person. They will feel much stronger and more able to deal with other issues in life because they will have gained some inner perspective. As noted above, many indigenous tribes have used similar substances as part of their “vision quests”. It’s a normal part of their culture and each member of the tribe uses it as a right of passage and opportunity to learn more about themselves and life.
Approaching the Situation
First and foremost your energy and thoughts should be calm and centered remembering your unconditional love for your child. I highly suggest that you’re straightforward with your teenager and say something to the effect of:
“I know that if you want to take psychedelics you can and there is nothing I can do about it. I prefer that you hold off until a later age to try it if you’re going to try it. But if you’re going to try it now, here are some of the pros and cons of doing it (then discussing the points I mention above along with any other research you find as you educate yourself as much as possible on the subject). Keep in mind that psychedelics are mental and visual drugs and if you’re not in a good place mentally it can bring on a bad trip. Also, if you’re going to try it please do it somewhere where you’re safe and that you don’t drive and don’t do anything where you will harm someone else. If you do get in trouble or cause damage you will need to suffer those consequences. I love you no matter what and as mentioned, here is why I prefer you to not do it”.
The other thing to keep in mind is to make sure you guys have a good relationship and that if you have any issues, try and resolve them because this substance will make your child feel very emotional if you do not have a good relationship. Psychedelics are very psychological and will bring up any issues your child has to face with their life and relationships.
See also…
Need Help With Your Teen?
Use these links to learn more about my coaching or counseling services.
Or email me direct: [email protected]
Want more tips?
Alcohol – How to talk to your teen about alcohol
Anger – How to help your teen address their anger issues
Being Cool & Popular – How to talk to your teen about not being cool & popular
Boredom – How to talk to your teen when they are bored
Bullying – How to talk to your teen about bullying
Career & Life Purpose – How to talk to your teen about building their future career & life purpose
Dating & Sex – How to talk to your teen about dating and sex
Depression – How to talk to your teen when they are depressed
Hurt Feelings – How to talk to your teen if they have hurt feelings
Lying – How to address your teen when you catch them lying
Money – How to talk to your teen about being responsible with money
Out of Control – How to talk to your teen when they are out of control
Overweight – How to talk to your when they become overweight
Partying – How to talk to your teen about partying
Rebellion – How to address teenage rebellion
School – Tips on how to address problems at school
Stealing – What to do if your teen is stealing
Technology Addiction – What to do if your teen is addicted to technology