Refreshing Myself

[WarpZone]

Greetings

Never liked introducing myself in real life, I'll just tell my name in such situations even if asked to tell something about myself. Such a long process to really know someone, it seems shallow to tell "hi I'm x and bla bla". Never liked small talk either. I tend to be pretty reserved around most people.

But, I suppose this forum deserves some quality input.

I have read this forum for years with great interest. South American ethnobotany and cultures have always been very fascinating and has shaped global culture with it's potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, chocolate and other plants maybe more than any other continent. I also have interest in many other cultures and in all sorts of plants & animals. Basically, any living thing is peculiar and intellectually stimulating. I do believe this is a great place to discuss such things.

I like to read a lot and develop understanding of global history as a whole. I rarely read any fiction because real world itself is so interesting. Whether it's the history of salt, chemistry, intoxicants, philosophy, food, agriculture, technology, war or love I like to look for the oldest records available and proceed to current day. One thing that has come apparent is that humans have always had tendency to being irresponsible, vain, aggressive and dishonest. Technology advances at great speed but I'm not sure are we advancing spiritually as a species. This worries me a lot. Today we have the capacity to destroy the entire planet. That would most likely destroy humans as well.

But I do believe in the capacity of life to regenerate itself even after the most devastating circumstances. Life has endured many mass extinctions. Apart from the dark tendencies, humans have always had some valiant and noble qualities as well. I hope they will eventually overrun the predatory instincts for good.

I do have somewhat traumatic personal history, having experienced violent assaults, brain injury and toxic relationships and so on. Also some self inflicted problems and stupid choices. That has lead me to appreciate healthy life and to pursue anything useful for spiritual/physical healing. I have been on a better path for 10 years now. I still carry physical and emotional pain and I'm not sure if it will ever completely go away but at least I've seen some light and made better choices.

In the past I have had some pretty extreme experiences with wide variety of botanicals. At this point of time I live sober life with some responsibilities which are too important to compromise. I still enjoy variety of plants & fungi with interesting properties, mainly adaptogens such as bacopa monnieri, ginseng, reishi, mucuna pruriens and such. Currently experiencing seremonial & raw cacao overdose which is pretty uncomfortable, sweating and heart pounding. Lower doses do not affect me in any meaningful way so I had to try if bigger dose will give some entheogenic/euphoric experience. Bad idea. The chocolate chunk was as big as my fist. I do take huge amounts of adaptogens as well, usually with good results. Kind of hard headed with any plant and wired for intensity. Every morning starts with one or two double espresso made from robusta beans. Coffee is the final boss of addiction, even quitting nicotine was easier. So not actually completely sober life, because I consider even coffee as a drug. I also feel that many adaptogens are actually subtle psychedelics if high enough dose is taken. I do take them primarily for health benefits but they do have some very interesting mental aspects. I feel like I've become old and need to fight deterioration to maintain health and mental flexibility, has to do with bad habits of the past.

I also like to cook and grow at least some of my own food & spices. I collect chili & tomato varieties and have been growing chili plants for 18 years. Growing chili is the longest relationship with any plant I've been having. I have blinded myself with 2 million scovilles a few times. My nicest plant ever was a wild chili from Galapagos islands which is extinct from nature. Lost it to some bugs but luckily got some seeds and gifted some cuttings to friends. It's a reminder that beautiful things can be lost if not taken care for.

I do have tendency to do experiments and push the boundaries of what I can do myself, whether it's taking some obscure plant medicine from Amazon to trying to grow a giant watermelon indoors, to making cheese myself or grow glow-in-the-dark mushrooms, growing grape vines in hostile climate and so on. I hope to be self sufficient one day in skill and resources.

I feel that this forum has like-minded people as it is hard to find them in my country. It is the 1# source of chronic stress to be surrounded by people that are very hostile towards you if you bring about wrong topics and are completely resistant to any reasoning. I do know bunch of more open minded people but they are rare. Funny how a country that represents itself as inclusive, democratic and supporting human rights can essentially persecute and lock you up for having some plants. At the same time you can freely use deadly poisons such as tobacco and alcohol.

Crazy world we live in.

 

[Nydex]

Hello, @WarpZone!

Let me extend a warm welcome to the Nexus. I appreciate the fact that you opened up and shared more than you'd normally do out of respect for the quality of interactions that are usually commonplace in this community. Like you, I usually don't open up to people and have a hard time talking about myself.

One thing that has come apparent is that humans have always had tendency to being irresponsible, vain, aggressive and dishonest.

I wonder what humans were like before the agricultural revolution took place. Back then, they wouldn't really have had much reason to lie to each other and be aggressive, unless survival is at stake. But once we realized we could utilize the land for personal gain and make our lives much easier, then land became the prime, most coveted resource, and that gradually opened a way for greed, theft and violence to come forward. And by the looks of things, technology has indeed advanced tremendously, but those more regretful aspects of humanity haven't gone away at all. If anything, they've gotten worse.

A question regarding your ingestion of high amounts of adaptogens - one thing they're known for is curbing your body's cortisol production, which can be very beneficial for stress management and falling asleep easier. But it's also been shown that too many adaptogens can decrease your cortisol production enough to make waking up in the morning a very challenging task. I guess in your case with the strong coffee you drink it'll be hard to judge, but do you have any difficulty waking up if you, for example, delay your caffeine ingestion a bit?

I collect chili & tomato varieties and have been growing chili plants for 18 years.

I assume you're a fan of Smokin' Ed Currie then The man's a genius, a mad scientist, and a pretty decent businessman by the looks of it.

It is the 1# source of chronic stress to be surrounded by people that are very hostile towards you if you bring about wrong topics and are completely resistant to any reasoning.

Tell me about it...been living in a country like that for too long now, and I feel the weight it has put on my shoulders. Always having to pick my words, to be careful, to hide my love for the medicine and the most virtuous act of exploring one's own consciousness in a responsible manner. The notion of going behind bars for that is preposterous and insulting to intelligence, yet it is very much reality in so many places around the globe...

One can only be wishful that the tide turns. And I feel like the work people do on this platform - all the research, experiments, guide work, chemistry and the overall sense of corroboration and strong community - is the foundation and at the front line of the transformation of society into something better.

Glad to have you here, and looking forward to chatting with you more.

Take care

 

[WarpZone]

I wonder what humans were like before the agricultural revolution took place. Back then, they wouldn't really have had much reason to lie to each other and be aggressive, unless survival is at stake. But once we realized we could utilize the land for personal gain and make our lives much easier, then land became the prime, most coveted resource, and that gradually opened a way for greed, theft and violence to come forward.

I suppose small tribes & communities were much more healthy & honest but it is known that even they will wage war with others. Some tribes are more peaceful though, even pacifistic, and some are just plain crazy violent. I guess it's the animal side of us, many animals will kill their own species even though they do not have any agriculture, they still do have some sense of territory. Even ants have war.

A question regarding your ingestion of high amounts of adaptogens - one thing they're known for is curbing your body's cortisol production, which can be very beneficial for stress management and falling asleep easier. But it's also been shown that too many adaptogens can decrease your cortisol production enough to make waking up in the morning a very challenging task. I guess in your case with the strong coffee you drink it'll be hard to judge, but do you have any difficulty waking up if you, for example, delay your caffeine ingestion a bit?

Yes I do know that. I only take them periodically to prevent tolerance and weird issues. I have only experienced energy gain with the adaptogens, or more fluid mental state and obvious stress relieve. Sometimes I take them for a few weeks and sometimes I only take them when needed, for example once a week. I have tried many and some do not work at all, while some have very limited use. For example ashwagandha is only useful for strength gain in the gym but does not do anything for stress like it's supposed to. I have tried several different products. Likewise ginseng does not give me any energy, but it's very useful for mental performance, even though it's supposed to be stimulating. I always wake up faster when using adaptogens.

I always do delay my coffee ingestion about 1h or little more because I've read it's better that way because it can mess up the cortisol cycle. I would quit coffee if I could find a way to do it without horrible and very long lasting headaches. Have tried it multiple times and every time I've just given up just to stop the headache. I can wake up and function without coffee, but I will have terrible headache for weeks.

I assume you're a fan of Smokin' Ed Currie then The man's a genius, a mad scientist, and a pretty decent businessman by the looks of it.

Yes I do know of him, my relative actually lived close to him, and got me some Carolina Reaper powder and seeds. Never met the guy though. He has bred some awesome chilies.

at the front line of the transformation of society into something better.

Yes I do believe so. I love the attitude this place has.

My country is very divided on the issue, there is some portion of people that are very progressive about these things but there is also a huge amount of people that just irrationally hate any funny plants and their train of thought is literally "why is not alcohol enough?" and have no desire to understand any of it. The division also extends to many other issues like climate change, natural conservation, vegans vs. omnivores, migration etc. There is no more middle ground, either you are against or for something. There is no actual discussion going on anymore, just mocking the opposition from either side. Very sad.

There is also some very absurd stuff going on, for example they legalized Ayahuasca for 2 years accidentally and then had to make a new law to ban it after they realized what they had done. Also they tried to ban any production of new industrial hemp strains even though they are supposed to be very concerned about the climate and Co2. It got rejected but they are very aggressive towards individuals trying to grow industrial hemp for any reason, they will prosecute if it has one molecule of THC and claim it is a drug. At the same time you can buy CBD buds legally. If you're agricultural company then it's no problem to grow hemp for seed etc. but ordinary people are treated like criminals.

The whole country is a mess right now, they clearly do not know what they are doing. One authority will give complete opposite stance than some other authority. Coherency is lost.

 

[SkunK]

Greetings

Never liked introducing myself in real life, I'll just tell my name in such situations even if asked to tell something about myself. Such a long process to really know someone, it seems shallow to tell "hi I'm x and bla bla". Never liked small talk either. I tend to be pretty reserved around most people.

But, I suppose this forum deserves some quality input.

I have read this forum for years with great interest. South American ethnobotany and cultures have always been very fascinating and has shaped global culture with it's potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, chocolate and other plants maybe more than any other continent. I also have interest in many other cultures and in all sorts of plants & animals. Basically, any living thing is peculiar and intellectually stimulating. I do believe this is a great place to discuss such things.

I like to read a lot and develop understanding of global history as a whole. I rarely read any fiction because real world itself is so interesting. Whether it's the history of salt, chemistry, intoxicants, philosophy, food, agriculture, technology, war or love I like to look for the oldest records available and proceed to current day. One thing that has come apparent is that humans have always had tendency to being irresponsible, vain, aggressive and dishonest. Technology advances at great speed but I'm not sure are we advancing spiritually as a species. This worries me a lot. Today we have the capacity to destroy the entire planet. That would most likely destroy humans as well.

But I do believe in the capacity of life to regenerate itself even after the most devastating circumstances. Life has endured many mass extinctions. Apart from the dark tendencies, humans have always had some valiant and noble qualities as well. I hope they will eventually overrun the predatory instincts for good.

I do have somewhat traumatic personal history, having experienced violent assaults, brain injury and toxic relationships and so on. Also some self inflicted problems and stupid choices. That has lead me to appreciate healthy life and to pursue anything useful for spiritual/physical healing. I have been on a better path for 10 years now. I still carry physical and emotional pain and I'm not sure if it will ever completely go away but at least I've seen some light and made better choices.

In the past I have had some pretty extreme experiences with wide variety of botanicals. At this point of time I live sober life with some responsibilities which are too important to compromise. I still enjoy variety of plants & fungi with interesting properties, mainly adaptogens such as bacopa monnieri, ginseng, reishi, mucuna pruriens and such. Currently experiencing seremonial & raw cacao overdose which is pretty uncomfortable, sweating and heart pounding. Lower doses do not affect me in any meaningful way so I had to try if bigger dose will give some entheogenic/euphoric experience. Bad idea. The chocolate chunk was as big as my fist. I do take huge amounts of adaptogens as well, usually with good results. Kind of hard headed with any plant and wired for intensity. Every morning starts with one or two double espresso made from robusta beans. Coffee is the final boss of addiction, even quitting nicotine was easier. So not actually completely sober life, because I consider even coffee as a drug. I also feel that many adaptogens are actually subtle psychedelics if high enough dose is taken. I do take them primarily for health benefits but they do have some very interesting mental aspects. I feel like I've become old and need to fight deterioration to maintain health and mental flexibility, has to do with bad habits of the past.

I also like to cook and grow at least some of my own food & spices. I collect chili & tomato varieties and have been growing chili plants for 18 years. Growing chili is the longest relationship with any plant I've been having. I have blinded myself with 2 million scovilles a few times. My nicest plant ever was a wild chili from Galapagos islands which is extinct from nature. Lost it to some bugs but luckily got some seeds and gifted some cuttings to friends. It's a reminder that beautiful things can be lost if not taken care for.

I do have tendency to do experiments and push the boundaries of what I can do myself, whether it's taking some obscure plant medicine from Amazon to trying to grow a giant watermelon indoors, to making cheese myself or grow glow-in-the-dark mushrooms, growing grape vines in hostile climate and so on. I hope to be self sufficient one day in skill and resources.

I feel that this forum has like-minded people as it is hard to find them in my country. It is the 1# source of chronic stress to be surrounded by people that are very hostile towards you if you bring about wrong topics and are completely resistant to any reasoning. I do know bunch of more open minded people but they are rare. Funny how a country that represents itself as inclusive, democratic and supporting human rights can essentially persecute and lock you up for having some plants. At the same time you can freely use deadly poisons such as tobacco and alcohol.

Crazy world we live in.

Welcome to the Nexus @WarpZone ! I hope you enjoy your stay here and look forward to hearing more from you!

Thanks for taking the time to open up and share so much about yourself and interests. Your in a wonderful place to learn and share

Im alot like you in many way aswell, very reserved around people in general, and as of the last few years; fairly a general dislike of people or getting close to people due to toxic relationships, and close people who have hurt me beyond repair.

While it has been a rough last fe
couple years for me (Health, Relationships, Legal Isssues etc) I see a light, and am working hard to make it there.

Ill never get over or recovercompletely from what I've been through and what I've lost down this dark road. But dwelling in the past and focusing on my depression isn't/wasn't getting me anywhere.

Giving up coffee, Alcohol and cocaine use has greatly benefited me, my mental and physical health.

Also micordosing The Stamets Stack (Lion's Mane, Niacin (vitamin B3), and psilocybin) have seened to have really helped me mentally and I'm thinking physically as well but i have made other changes that could have contributed as well, but I've been able to get off my perscription drugs (1000mg/pre gaba & 30mg/Oxy 30 er per day for savear nerve damage)

Just wish I could give up my dirty tobacco use one of the hardest addictions I've ever encountered.. I started when packs of quality smokes were $5 now they are around $20 CDN that's $140 a week for myself . Luckly I aquire my smokes off the reservation, so no taxes. And they are still roughly$5/pack.


South American Ethnobotany and the vast amd overwhelming botanical diversity of SA are also something I'm very interested in and spend alot of time reading about. I'd rather read about the real world as well and learn something than reading fiction. Only real fiction book I've read other than back in school wad JRR Tolkien's works.

I too also grow alot of different plants & fungi unfortunately the last few years life got in the way and I'm just now getting back into it. For a while I was a huge chill pepper grower, and absolutely love growing hot and super hot peppers and making sauces with them.

I have a huge collection of pepper seeds, again unfortunately this year I was too slow on getting them started so will have to wait till next spring. I also grow tomatoes, other vegetables, Tobacco and odd berry's from the nightshade family, Solanaceae. I am also a huge hunter as well and appreciate being able to procure, process and have meat readily available. Its was nice know the food i eat isn't chocked full of pesticides, and meat full of growth hormones.

When I harvest my own food, and medicine I know whats been put onto it and into it and what it was last eatting . I love being self sufficient , and eagerly look forward to getting back on that track after a 4 year hiatus.

Cooking is a very primal experience for me, especially in the summer when I have been able to cook over the open fire, smoker or BBQ. Especially when preparing food you have grown or procured and proceed yourself .
Are you into preserving the fruits of your labors? I got into Canning and Fermenting when I got involved in mycology and purchased my 1st pressure cooker. Was a game changer to help preserve my vegetables, meat and making jellys with fruits. I've been slowly over the last 4 years been using up my stock piles, and the last yesr I've unfortunately had to make more trip to the store to purchase things. I have goals to get back on track to self sufficient with both food and medicines (Cacti, mushrooms, poppys, tobacco and other interesting botanicals)

I've been working on my yard , which has been neglected the last few years and have been building some more raised beds, and have plans to eventually get into Bee Keeping, which has interested me for many years.

I look forward to seeing you around the forum, you seem like a very interesting individual! And again welcome to The Nexus!

 

[WarpZone]

Just wish I could give up my dirty tobacco use one of the hardest addictions I've ever encountered.. I started when packs of quality smokes were $5 now they are around $20 CDN that's $140 a week for myself . Luckly I aquire my smokes off the reservation, so no taxes. And they are still roughly$5/pack.

I was able to quit with home grown Mapacho. The long static duration made it easier somehow. Maybe has to do with the harmalas too, IDK.

I am also a huge hunter as well and appreciate being able to procure, process and have meat readily available. Its was nice know the food i eat isn't chocked full of pesticides, and meat full of growth hormones.

I have pondered hunting as well, but I love animals so much it's hard to kill them. Maybe at some point. I do buy some meat from local hunters though, appreciate wild game very much. Also I try to buy deer species that is considered harmful for the original deer species here, kind of invasive species thing. I've read much about the fatty acid composition of wild meat vs. grown, it's far more healthy. Would be nice to raise some chickens as well at some point. You can adjust the egg quality and fatty acid composition by feeding them quality stuff.

Are you into preserving the fruits of your labors? I got into Canning and Fermenting when I got involved in mycology and purchased my 1st pressure cooker.

I have made some jams, wines, and dried some. Should get into fermenting and canning too.

have plans to eventually get into Bee Keeping, which has interested me for many years.

Same here, one of my relatives had bees, he's over 90 years old now and in very good health. Grew much of his own food too. I do use plenty of propolis, honey and bee pollen so it would make sense to get some bees. Also would love to get fresh royal jelly, only had it once in my life. I can buy honey that has it but the fresh stuff is just something.

Nice to see so many shared interests here!

 

[SkunK]

I was able to quit with home grown Mapacho. The long static duration made it easier somehow. Maybe has to do with the harmalas too, IDK.

I'm hoping to give this a try end of season. I've got a few Varieties of Tobacco growing atm. Mapacho being one of them, Maryland , Green leaf, Virginia Gold, La Palma Havana.

Was a little late on the start, but they are off to the races so fingers crossed.

I have pondered hunting as well, but I love animals so much it's hard to kill them. Maybe at some point. I do buy some meat from local hunters though, appreciate wild game very much. Also I try to buy deer species that is considered harmful for the original deer species here, kind of invasive species thing. I've read much about the fatty acid composition of wild meat vs. grown, it's far more healthy. Would be nice to raise some chickens as well at some point. You can adjust the egg quality and fatty acid composition by feeding them quality stuff.

It's never easy taking a life. I too am a huge animal lover, have any pets, family has a miniature horse farm and cattle. I have also spent many hours volunteering at local animal rehabilitation centers.

My first animal harvest was a bitter sweet accomplishment and I remember it very well. I always put ethics 1st when hunting making sure i can make a clean harvest, and have passed many opportunities to take a crack shot, when i didnt feel i couls humainly harvest.

i always carry tobacco and Cannabis in a little pouch and have a ritual to give thanks to the animal for giving it life to feed me and my family. And always do my best to harvest all usable parts of the animal. I also find it very spiritual to be able to take my food from field to table by myself.

I can see why food and eatting in human culture is such a special gathering for people to come together.

Being hunting for 10 years it never gets easier to harvest an animal but knowing it will feed me and where it came from and how hard you have to work to harvest an animal, just makes it special.
If you eat meat, an animal has to die. Hunting is fair chase unlike a slaughter house. For evey one i harvest 5+ better me.

I have made some jams, wines, and dried some. Should get into fermenting and canning too

the presure cooker was a game changer to help preserve my fruits of my labor, especially with the bulk of harvest happens end of season b4 winter time. You get overwhelmed with food all at one time.

Same here, one of my relatives had bees, he's over 90 years old now and in very good health. Grew much of his own food too. I do use plenty of propolis, honey and bee pollen so it would make sense to get some bees. Also would love to get fresh royal jelly, only had it once in my life. I can buy honey that has it but the fresh stuff is just something.

Here in my town bee keeping isn't allowed, but I'd still pursue setting up a hive, I've always functioned on the Grey area of the bylaws and laws of society. With the decline in bee populations everyone shiukd be encouraged to bee keep..

Would be very rewarding to and beneficial for the home gardener to have a hive it two go help the gardener.

I noticed a few new posts on Share The Seeds in the bee keeping area

beekeeping info mostly PDFs

beekeeping info mostly PDFs

sharetheseeds.me

You may find the sister forum of some intrest to some of your interests as well. It's been a little slow as of late but is still chocked full of a wealth if information.

Nice to see so many shared interests here!

Yes alot of shared interests here for sure.

 

[WarpZone]

Hunting is fair chase unlike a slaughter house.

Agreed. Some animal factory growing is absolutely disgusting. There has been some good advances, certificates that guarantee good quality of life for the animals etc. but wild is always wild.

With the decline in bee populations everyone shiukd be encouraged to bee keep

I have made some bug hotel type stuff and noticed that local wild bumblebees use them. Not sure if honeybees would be detrimental to them. They are so big & fluffy and docile I want to keep them. They are actually used in some tomato greenhouses around here instead of honeybees. They set up a little Bombus box in the greenhouse to get bigger harvest. But I would love some bee products.. Need to study the interactions, if they compete for resources etc.

 

[acacian]

Hey @WarpZone .. what a great introduction!

Straight away from your post I am feeling like you are going to be a great addition to the nexus - you seem to have your head well screwed on and have a really cool variety of interests.. definitely looking forward to learning more about you!

I’ve just arrived home after a long drive and draining few days so can’t put much more time into attempting to string sentences together.. but just wanted to say hi in as warm a fashion I can right now as I enjoyed your post