Hunter S. Thompson and the High Times, Encyclopedia of Recreational Drugs

Hunter S. Thompson (caricature)

Hunter S. Thompson and his Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was legendary when I was a teen and for some crazy reason, I was inspired by his gonzo journalism. Another idol was Hemmingway, added to that, I grew-up during a time when rock stars were trashing hotel rooms, so for my formative years, I had party-animals as roles models.

 High Times Encyclopedia of Recreational Drugs: History, Uses, Growing Your Own, Religion and Magic, Herbal Highs, Aprhodesiacs, Pharmaceuticals, Wonder Drugs, Psychedelics, Culture Heroes, Smuggling Paperback – 1978
High Times Encyclopedia of Recreational Drugs: History, Uses, Growing Your Own, Religion and Magic, Herbal Highs, Aprhodesiacs, Pharmaceuticals, Wonder Drugs, Psychedelics, Culture Heroes, Smuggling Paperback – 1978

To live large was the motto in my 20’s, declaring that there was such little time, to try all the drugs found in the Encyclopedia of Recreational Drugs. My friends and I revered in the wonderful High Times work of mastery and it became our guide book to discovering our post-poppy age culture. Hunter S. Thompson said it best….

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, first appeared as a two-part series in Rolling Stone magazine in 1971.

It’s fun to write about drugs now that I survived but truth is that alcohol is the hardest drug for me to quit because it’s everywhere, tobacco too as it’s accepted, or was. Alcohol is not in the Encyclopedia of Recreational Drugs and actually; alcohol can diminish the best effects of other drugs, however in rock lore it’s the fuel of the party, most of the others just add more fuel.

For purists, they want to trip on whatever it is, say for example mushrooms or LSD and not mix booze into the experience, then in other cases, like ecstasy, aka X, and or cocaine, which enable consumers to drink even more than they normally would, people have a tendency to overindulge. Really, alcohol is the danger additive and most of the rest of the recreational drugs are naturally derived substances and provide very valid, useful experience.

The setting is what’s most important and for safety to be with someone who’s experienced. Never inject anything, since it’s not natural. Whereas Peyote buttons for example are a magical and amazing experience that can last for extended periods and provide incredible insightful experience, however the taste is hard to swallow and initial high often induces vomiting. Mushrooms are more mild and can be brewed into tea.

From the beginning of time and in every culture, there have been stimulants. In many ways the term drugs is more of what the problem is. Is using plants immoral, for getting high? My belief is that all plants are here for our benefit and that the war on drugs failed to prevent drug abuse. The new cannabis laws are showing a reduction in use by the youngest demographic, which indicates another victory for legalization.

Knowledge is power! Drugs kill brain cells and lead us towards addiction. I’m occasionally writing about my own drug use, as a way to contribute to the clean-mind awakening. Yes, the more pure your mind the more happy your life. The key now for me, is to laugh it off and make light of it, luckily I cherish clarity so much now, that nothing entices me to deviate.

Young people today are faced with even more choices than my generation and media is attacking just as hard as ever, as seen in young people consuming increasing amounts of tobacco. Imagine that cigarettes are the gateway drug and studies show, the hardest to quit and yet easiest to get.None of them are glamorous, just an experience….

“No sympathy for the devil; keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride…and if it occasionally gets a little heavier than what you had in mind, well…maybe chalk it off to forced conscious expansion: Tune in, freak out, get beaten.”

Hunter S. Thompson – Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

We all have to learn about ourselves, it’s part of life and living. Be careful!

Hunter S. Thompson Photo credit: Ben Templesmith on Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND

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