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Psychedelics and the work place

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Psilosopher?

Psilosopher?

Don't Panic
Senior Member
OG Pioneer
Senior member
This is something I've wondered about for a while. Is it obvious to your colleagues that you do psychedelics or are knowledgeable about them?


I was fired from my last job because I was too open with my psychedelic adventures. Although a couple of people were interested in it, ultimately I was let go very abruptly. It seems like the higher ups thought I was making meth or something.

Now, I have an awesome job in an awesome lab. Everyone here is very friendly and very receptive. I learned from my mistakes, so I don't initiate conversations about psychedelics. But the topic still comes up. And, one of the senior scientists here not only is interested in psychs, but is part of other networks that deals with psychedelics and other entheogens. I was quite surprised, to be honest. So yeah, now we're growing mushies hah. I guess that careers advisor was right: it's not what you know, but who you know.
 
Bodhisativa said:
This is something I've wondered about for a while. Is it obvious to your colleagues that you do psychedelics or are knowledgeable about them?


I was fired from my last job because I was too open with my psychedelic adventures. Although a couple of people were interested in it, ultimately I was let go very abruptly. It seems like the higher ups thought I was making meth or something.

Now, I have an awesome job in an awesome lab. Everyone here is very friendly and very receptive. I learned from my mistakes, so I don't initiate conversations about psychedelics. But the topic still comes up. And, one of the senior scientists here not only is interested in psychs, but is part of other networks that deals with psychedelics and other entheogens. I was quite surprised, to be honest. So yeah, now we're growing mushies hah. I guess that careers advisor was right: it's not what you know, but who you know.
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I really dont talk about it. Even when for some reason the topic swamps from the last night drinking to other drugs I keep it shut.

The people at my work know that im into chemistry. But they dont know that im into drugs too. Its possible that I "leaked" some of my knowledge during a discussion but I never said that I took any of it.
They probably wouldnt even care. But I dont want them to see my as an addict or something.
 
As of now, I work at my father's business and both of my parents know. My dad used to do a lot of drugs in the 70s and doesn't really care, and my mom trusts me.

I study finance at university however, and I avoid telling random classmates. My friends in clubs know, and I told a few of my professional contacts too. It's easier in a college town where most people smoke weed already - letting them know about mushrooms and LSD is not that much of a step up, I think. Most people seem to already know someone who is into psychs or at least has done them.

My classmates can tell that I am quite different in my thinking, and my tattoos serve as a differentiator as well. I like to think of certain types of tats as a way to communicate who's cool with this kind of stuff. But in professional settings, you should really feel people out before letting on any information. Avoiding gossipers is useful too - even if they are cool with it, you never know if the people they tell will be.
 
Several people at my last job knew. I am pretty quiet outside of this forum when speaking about things unless someone shows interest or asks, then I don't mind talking about psychedelics, but even then I don't say too much about my personal life, if any. Honestly, looking at me outside in every day life - you'd never guess. Peoples faces when I tell them I used to be an ex heroin addict. :p

My last job - a good deal of the people there had dabbled in some drug or another; and really they would probably never bat an eye.


RAM said:
It's easier in a college town where most people smoke weed already - letting them know about mushrooms and LSD is not that much of a step up, I think. Most people seem to already know someone who is into psychs or at least has done them.

My classmates can tell that I am quite different in my thinking, and my tattoos serve as a differentiator as well. I like to think of certain types of tats as a way to communicate who's cool with this kind of stuff. But in professional settings, you should really feel people out before letting on any information. Avoiding gossipers is useful too - even if they are cool with it, you never know if the people they tell will be.
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My town/area is similar. LSD/mushrooms is basically synonymous with cannabis in most peoples eyes around here.
 
I recently got into a discussion with my boss about 'the stoned ape theory'. I explained that apes may have ingested mushrooms and other psychedelic plant and that lead to a change in the neuro pathways in the brain and thus our evolution.

He was dismissive about the idea as he believes in creation, but he did attempt to get me to talk about psychedelics. Even asked me if I like them. He even stated that he had once ingested mushrooms. I did not feel comfortable disclosing my psychedelic use to him. Only a fool incriminates himself. I simply said that I find nothing wrong with psychedelic use as long as it used in a healing and therapeutic setting. I made no other comments and he dropped it.

I am not going to impress most people with my knowledge of psychedelics. Tactful presentation of the knowledge is required in this world. If I am not at work and in a place where the discussion is safe, tactful, and receptive, then I let loose.

Loose lips sink ships.
 
I talk about it with who ever is interested. I don't initiate conversations regarding psychedelics, but i'm usually reading a very overt psychedelic book and carry it around with me, seems to spark interest. I work at whole foods in the service industry, there's a lot of people with a lot of weird hobbies. Most people are genuinely interested in my studies.
 
DmnStr8 said:
I recently got into a discussion with my boss about 'the stoned ape theory'. I explained that apes may have ingested mushrooms and other psychedelic plant and that lead to a change in the neuro pathways in the brain and thus our evolution.
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It seems not all people are receptive to this. Depends on the person.

DmnStr8 said:
Loose lips sink ships.
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I learned this the hard way.


benzyme said:
oh yea, with most folks I've been very candid about my psychedelic past, it had a large part of developing my weird persona and eclectic way of viewing the world.
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I'm very open about my use with strangers, after the general introductions.

At work, though, I'm pacing myself. Since it's a new job, I gotta secure this position and then I might let the fly wheel loose. Science is a different field, though. Most people in my lab thinks psychs are harmless, but they're also uninformed about the therapeutic potential of psychs. I shed some light on these topics a few times without blatantly saying that I trip hard and often, and got really positive feedback. Several colleagues would like to try shrooms, so that's a start.
 
Talking about drugs at work it just asking for trouble. I use 2 talk about it when i was young and learned the hard way. To all the young people reading this do yourself a favor and keep your mouth shut at work! I don't care how cool the person seems or what they say about their past. just shut your mouth! lol
 
As benz said, depends a lot on the job and the people you work with... In my last job it was a very 'straight' world, working in schools with immigrant children helping with social integration, so I definitely didn't talk about my drug use. Now I work with harm reduction so my job consists of talking to people about drugs, and whenever someone asks about psychedelics they are directed to me, lol, so yeah needless to say my colleagues all know about my drug use and I know about theirs :D
 
benzyme said:
depends on who you work for/with.
I have a boss that's very fair, and only cares that the work gets done. I don't trip at work, obviously.

use tact and common sense, don't push the issue. no need to justify it to anyone.
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exactly
 
I used to be more open about it but having got some pretty extreme responses I've gone for being much more cagey these days - which is a shame.

Interestingly, I recently started having massage with a "holistic therapist" and was keen to explore ways with her of tackling certain blocks I know I have. Rather than tell her outright that I explored these things with entheogens, I simply mentioned that I had once tried ayahuasca outside of the country. I could tell immediately I'd gone down the wrong route with her and this was a no no subject. But at least I hadn't incriminated myself by saying I was a regular psychonaut in this country - just sounded like I was a bit wacky. I later found out she was associated with a local church and anything apart from straight, clean living was against her belief system. (Could have had a really long argument on this one with her but why waste my breath!)
 
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