Short answer, as already told, yes. Long answer, it depends on the drug you use. All drugs affect people differently especially according to dose. Using drugs to induce altered states of mind is sort of like a "look ma, no hands!" kinda thing. It can make such states easy to achieve. But once you're on that roller coaster theres no getting off until the ride is over. Also in this day and age you got to be careful about what drugs you use even marijuana can be grown in toxic soil that is harmful to you. Other drugs like special K, X, coke, heroine, LSD, GHB, *meth* and whatever else kids do these days can be made impure or laced with other drugs. Not too long ago at a party we had a guy overdose on heroine that had been laced in some weed that was going around. Nobody ever knew until this dude was having problems. No idea how much heroine was actually in the bag maybe the guy just hit an unlucky part of the bong. The guy lived but I am certain he will never smoke weed again.
I highly agree with Ashnook and Edunpanna. Especially about knowing how to induce altered states of mind before you introduce drugs. Chances are you are going to use drugs regardless what we say. That said if you are going to try to use them to induce an altered state of mind there are a few common sense guidelines I hope you at least consider -
1. Use whatever drug you do conservatively. I know fast cars are made to go 0 - 60 in just a few seconds, the human body is not. Doing something like speed balls is just not the way to go.
2. Stick to the basics - pot, alcohol, mushrooms and maybe x if you are sure its pure. There are just certain drugs, imo, you should avoid ie crack, meth, heroine are the big three in my mind. Its not that these drugs won't induce an altered state of mind (thats what all drugs do), its just that its too easy for these drugs to be dangerous. Example; about a year ago now a close friend of mind ODed on a single hit of pure crystal meth. He lived and recovered but basically lost his mind for a week. Also these drugs will likely cause you the greatest legal problems should you incur the wrath of the police.
3. DO NOT MIX DRUGS - its literally like a double, triple, quadruple whammy. Unless you're a bona fided medicine man/shaman/witch doctor its just stupid to mix drugs, especially hard drugs - and expect productive, postive magickal results. You might as well play russain ruellette.
4. Location is pretty much everything other than the drug itself. You want to be at place where you'll feel safe and you know you won't disturbed by anyone not participating. If you're attempting to produce magickal results at say a party well then you're not really practicing anything you're just getting high. Do not use magick as an excuse to get high.
5. Finally, just use your head in general. Ask yourself why you want to use drugs to induce say an out of body experience and make sure you're really not just wanting to find a way to justify using drugs at all. Bottom line is if you can have OBE's without drugs thats the safer way to go.
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