"But Rachel also has another hobby, one that makes her a bit different from the other moms in her Texas suburb—not that she talks about it with them. Once a month or so, after she and her husband put the kids to bed, Rachel texts her in-laws—who live just down the street—to make sure they’re home and available in the event of an emergency.

“And then, Rachel takes a generous dose of magic mushrooms, or sometimes MDMA, and—there’s really no other way to say this— spends the next several hours tripping balls.”

  • HomerianSymphony@lemmy.world
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    1 hour ago

    Why are people applauding this? Is this a good trend? Is everyone saying “Yes, it’s great that Americans are taking more drugs”.

    I feel like the reaction should be neutral at best, and more likely strongly negative (because there is a child in the house).

    (And yes, getting drunk on alcohol with a child in the house is just as bad.)

    How is this a positive thing? I’m honestly struggling to understand. Is the assumption that increased psychedelic drug use will be more than offset by a decrease in alcohol use? Are people interpreting this article as a sign of less stigma around drug use, and they believe a lessened stigma will have social benefits?

    Are people applauding this because they see it as the individual standing against society, and they applaud individualism? Are they applauding it because they see it as a form of greater consumer choice? Do they believe recreational drug use is beneficial to the individual?

    I know this will attract a deluge of downvotes, but I’m also hoping someone answers.

    • saddlebag@lemmy.world
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      42 minutes ago

      This was at the top when I opened the thread and I’m glad I read it. Anyone who downvotes you is doing it because you are contradicting their biases. Your comment gave me something to think about.

      I think the reason everyone is applauding this is because liberals/left-leaning have read enough literature to confirm the dangers of alcohol and other strongly addictive substances. Newer research shows the positive effects of psychedelics but they’re yet unproven as categorically better than other prescription medications.

      When lemmings (who are mostly very left leaning and decently educated) see people doing things that can show the positive effects of psychedelics, they applaud it without much critical thought.

      Comments like yours not being downvoted to oblivion and then hidden are the reason that Lemmy is still decent. For now

  • Noxy@yiffit.net
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    3 hours ago

    Cool. Good for them. They got emergency arrangements if needed. How many people who drink alcohol can say that?

  • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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    4 hours ago

    Well yeah it’s a thing. It was a thing with our moms too. Our grandmas often preferred the ‘ludes unless they were hippies

  • Melody Fwygon@lemmy.one
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    7 hours ago

    Legitimately I question that this is even newsworthy.

    It appears that these women are harming nobody and are partaking of the drug(s) safely and sensibly in a manner that ensures that no one is being significantly endangered. Yes the residual dangers exist and bad trips can happen to pretty much anyone. I don’t feel as if they’re even posing a danger to their children; if this is in fact being done in such a way that the kids are never being exposed to their parents while they’re in an altered mental state due to hallucinogenic intoxication. If it isn’t; yeah; I could see why a local branch of child services might pay them a visit. However, I’m not going to make that negative assumption.

    I don’t particularly commend the women, nor the news outlet, for coming out about this though; it is still very much technically illegal by current law. But, I also do agree that the stigma attached to drug use, even when done so responsibly, is in fact ridiculous and stupid in general. However, I don’t see a better way of achieving what that does…so I couldn’t suggest any better alternatives and I don’t support going back to a previous era in Law where drugs that factually are provably dangerous, for some reason, are not regulated. Reasonable and Sensible Regulations on dangerous Drugs are REQUIRED; it’s just that some people have a different definition of ‘Reasonable and Sensible’ which has to be ironed into a proper consensus for society.

    • MimicJar@lemmy.world
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      6 hours ago

      Legitimately I question that this is even newsworthy.

      But, I also do agree that the stigma attached to drug use, even when done so responsibly, is in fact ridiculous and stupid in general

      I thought you answered your own question. This article helps remove the taboo.

  • AItoothbrush@lemmy.zip
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    8 hours ago

    Lol this is kind of slang i like being used by news sites. I dont care if its unprofessional, tripping balls is just too good to not say. Def one of my favourite english slangs.

    • aStonedSanta@lemm.ee
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      8 hours ago

      lol reminds me as a kid. We’d always say. It’s hot as balls. One time someone asked me what that meant and I just kinda looked at em. Like well it’s hot. As. Yeah balls…? 😆

  • chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world
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    6 hours ago

    My question is: why?

    I’ve tried shrooms but not LSD. It was a weird experience but not unpleasant. I don’t feel any desire to repeat it though.

    To me it just seems like something people try once or twice and then move on from.

    • Letstakealook@lemm.ee
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      5 hours ago

      I’ve done shrooms on many occasions, the experiences can be different based on setting. The most memorable was lying on my back in the mountains overnight with no light pollution watching as I seemed to move through stars/meteor shower while reflecting on my life, where I’ve been, where I’m going. I would do them again, to take a moment of deep introspection, though I think monthly is a bit much.

  • atzanteol@sh.itjust.works
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    9 hours ago

    It still seems pretty negligent even if the inlaws are down the street, should a vagina scented candle get knocked over… And the kid who comes downstairs for a drink of water will not know how to deal with mom “tripping balls”.

    • xtr0n@sh.itjust.works
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      8 hours ago

      People get drunk with their kids at home all the time, not ideal but super common. Hallucinogens don’t make people catatonic or unable to interact. It’s just not that serious. I’m assuming the kids aren’t infants though. Infants need so much care so frequently that you have to be 100% on as much as possible. But I seriously doubt a nursing mother would do this (or at least trip and tell people about it)

      Overall people need to lay off of parents unless they’re really harming their kids. I know people afraid to make their kids walk to school because the neighbors will call protective services. It’s ridiculous.

    • hume_lemmy
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      9 hours ago

      The article says nothing about her husband partaking, so presumably there’s another sober adult present and no risk.

    • Hegar@fedia.io
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      8 hours ago

      We trip regularly and I use to work in childcare. This does not sound negligent to me at all.

      Mushrooms just aren’t very disabling once you’re familiar with them and measure doses. I’ve ran into and chatted with professional acquaintances while on mushrooms. It’s fine.

      It’s done wonders for our relationship and mental health. I don’t think it’s for everyone, but it’s been a huge boon to us.

      • atzanteol@sh.itjust.works
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        7 hours ago

        We trip regularly and I use to work in childcare.

        Did you do it at the same time as watching the kids?

        • Hegar@fedia.io
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          6 hours ago

          Of course not but at work as a primary carer for other people’s kids is a very different scenario that at home with your own kids who are asleep while you have trusted sober adults on standby.

          • atzanteol@sh.itjust.works
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            59 minutes ago

            But I’m being told it’s absolutely fine to do. Why is it irresponsible with other people’s kids but not your own?

    • TheIvoryTower@lemmy.world
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      9 hours ago

      Assuming she doesn’t take such a large dose that she can’t deal with a knocked over candle.

      Also, one partner can stay relatively sober to manage reality.

      • atzanteol@sh.itjust.works
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        7 hours ago

        Assuming she doesn’t take such a large dose that she can’t deal with a knocked over candle.

        I guess there’s a lot of flexibility in the phrase “tripping balls for several hours”.