Do you think illegal drugs have mind altering effects, or mind opening perception?

It depends on the drug. I have had profound spiritual experiences on mushrooms and LSD, and with marijuana to a lesser extent. Of course, I tend to approach the first two with respect and with the hope that I will learn something when I take them, rather than using them just for fun or to relieve boredom. Mushrooms have been used for a very long time to aid in religious/spiritual rituals, so I feel pretty strongly that if you use them respectfully and with a mind open to accepting new perspectives, you can greatly benefit.

You might find this study interesting.

Well of course they have mind altering effects, that’s the point. The mind altering effects do change your perception, that’s the other point.

Many religions use drugs to attain a receptive, spiritual state. I’ve tried some, not all, drugs, and I have had my own enlightenment experience. Can’t say with all drugs though.

Not only does it depend on the drug, but it very much depends on the person. One reason why some drugs are illegal is that they can have seriously terrible effects on some people. People are not real good at self-labelling as “kind of messed up probably should not try acid.”

From my view of people who have smoked pot regularly (every day) over long periods of time, they get stuck, don’t move, don’t continue developing. If they began smoking pot when they were 17, they act like they are 17 until they stop smoking, be it 35 or 65. Then, it’s like, “what happened?”

Am I the only one wondering when petethepothead is going to chime in here?

@Alena- Here is an interesting overview of the use of the lowly Amanita Muscaria in shamanic tradition.

Alice thought she might as well wait, as she had nothing else to do, and perhaps after all it might tell her something worth hearing. For some minutes it puffed away without speaking, but at last it unfolded its arms, took the hookah out of its mouth again, and said, `So you think you’re changed, do you?’

Oh, I’m well aware of Amanita muscaria. I’m somewhat of a psychonaut, so I’ve done lots of research into various psychadelic plants. :) From what I hear, Amanita trips are intense and I’ve heard it causes a higher frequency of nausea/vomiting, which is not something I like to deal with on a trip, if I can avoid it.

There was some documentary about ethnobotany where they studied the effects of various psychadelic plants and mushrooms, including Amanita. It was pretty fascinating, as they looked at the subject in lab conditions and also let them explore outside to get their personal experience.

Erowid is an excellent source for information on various substances.

Oops. Missed the point of the discussion. Amanita isn’t illegal. It is, however, classified as a poison. Kids, don’t do this at home!