Count the Costs Campaign

Highlights: "The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU), together with Transform Drug Policy Foundation, were among the NGOs launching the Count the Costs campaign to urge governments to evaluate the impacts of the 50 years old UN drug control system. This campaign movie highlights one of the most compelling issues, the human rights impacts of the global war on drugs."

Hungarian Civil Liberties Union: http://drogriporter.hu/en

Transform Drug Policy Article: http://transform-drugs.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-countthecosts-film-from-hclu.html

Count the Costs: http://www.countthecosts.org/seven-costs/undermining-human-rights

Count the Costs site has great resources and reading materials. Information will set us free.

The Symphonies of the Planets Series

Wiki: "The Symphonies of the Planets series, a collection of works by NASA and Brain/Mind Research in which planetary electromagnetic waves are captured by the Voyager unmanned space probes and converted into audible sound, can also be considered an organic manifestation of dark ambient."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP3Ghjm5d18&feature=related

Finally some public scientific support! Ecstasy doesn't eat your brain

No Brain Damage From Ecstasy, New Research Shows
The Huffington Post

Highlights:
"Contrary to long-held opinion, ecstasy, the popular rave-culture drug, may not harm your brain... 
Studies have also looked into MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a possible treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The idea is to provide at least a brief experience of what life feels like without the aftermath of trauma, to provide a state in which learning can occur."




For Full Article see: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/20/ecstacy-doesnt-damage-the_n_825704.html


Hopefully such research will pave the way for more open policies on scientific drug studies. Propaganda cannot dominate in a world of information. Keep your heads up and your brains healthy!

Federal judge ruled ecstasy sentences too harsh

"Federal Judge Rejects Ecstasy Sentencing Guidelines"
by Phillip Smith, July 19, 2011
stopthedrugwar.org


Highlights:
 "A US District Court Judge in New York Friday refused to sentence an ecstasy defendent according to federal sentencing guidlines, saying they punish offenses too harshly than scientifically justified and are based on 'selective and incomplete' evidence... MAPS executive director Rick Doblin had testified to the relative safety of Ecstasy before the US Sentencing Commission when it was setting the guidelines in 2001, but the commission ignored his and other expert testimony." 

FullArticle: http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2011/jul/19/federal_judge_rejects_ecstasy_se

Maybe a step in the right direction, however, any punishment is too harsh! Ecstasy has helped many people and done a great service to music via artist and audience. An entire subculture has emerged from it's empathy and many strangers have become great friends. Let us be thankful for small victories but remain motivated toward change for the greater good. Check out http://stopthedrugwar.org

Stay informed, folks. Happy Independence

Namaste : Today should be a psychedelic holiday

Alexander Shulgin is a pioneer of the counter-culture, the constant revolution and a shining beautiful petal of our ever blossoming universe.

He is a voice for those not heard and has given a voice to so many. He has impacted the nature of dance and music forever. He has touched my life and I hope that he has touched yours.

He has been here humbly sharing his wealth of delicate knowledge with us:
http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/shulgin/blg/index.html

He has taken the time to share his experience with us so that we might better employ the knowledge he has passed on:


Today is a holiday for me. Here's to celebrating not a chemical, but a life.


Scientific American:
Self-"Experimenters: Psychedelic Chemist Explores the Surreality of Inner Space, One Drug at a Time" 
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=self-experimenter-chemist-explores-new-psychedelics

Happy Birthday Sasha

Rastafarian music

If i must restate it with every post, until the very end I say that music is psychedelic.

"The traditional music of the Rastafarian religion is Nyabingi. Nyabingi music is used during reasoning sessions and consists of chanting and drumming to reach states of heightened spirituality."

BBC Religion

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/customs/music.shtml

"Marley's lyrics expanded the Rastafarian teachings:

We are sick and tired of your ism-schism game, to die and go to heaven in Jesus' name. We know and understand almighty God is a living man.

Bob Marley, Get Up, Stand Up, Tuff Going Music, 1973

Happy Birthday Ann

Ann Shulgin's contributions to society and psychonauts are unmistakable! Tikhal and Pikhal are magnificent must reads that will inspire and advise for generations to come. Her work has astonishing perspective and lays the groundwork for progressive thoughts and practices. Today let's remember her remarkable journey and look forward to what she holds for our future....

DONATE to fund an expert assistant to help publicly archive Sasha's lab books, writings and collection of scientific papers. Click here more information about The Shulgin Collection.