Just wanted to say that from my experience consumption of drugs or alcohol makes OCD significantly worse and I'd avoid it at all costs if you can.

Exactly!!!! I just started uni so obviously a lot is going on with that kind of stuff and I basically decided to just stop because I in general felt like being healthier. Turns out a lot of my OCD has been worse because of countless hangovers and I'm already feeling better.

@ewaedb That’s so good to hear!! Yeah uni culture can be a nightmare for alcohol consumption, I’m just about to finish my degree and there’s been too many times I’ve woken up the next day with so much anxiety because of it! I was lucky tho as my ocd died down considerably during my first and second year of uni, third year it’s back in full force tho haha

Yeah I mean when I smoked weed in the moment I felt better, but it's the hangover I'm talking about. The hangover made the OCD so much worse. Also I ended up smoking everytime my OCD acted up which is the wrong way to deal with it, because I obviously can't do that forever and I need to learn how to deal with it without any drugs.

I see where you’re coming from. I, personally, used to drink very heavily, smoke a ton of pot, and also take non prescribed adderall. And I used to love it all, but when my OCD symptoms started getting really prevalent, any mind altering substance made it horrible. I find that especially with existential OCD and fearing whether or not your surroundings are real, a sober mind really helps you to navigate those fears. I know some other people who have mental health issues that have had “bad trips” and it triggered them so horribly. But I also know some people who do benefit from tripping or who microdose. It depends on the person. I just do better when I’m sober.

@Ald21 it’s drug ABUSE that’s the issue. it’s all about the relationship you have with the drug. it’s a complex subject. I’ve had “bad trips” that have made my OCD worse (because I couldn’t accept the fear an uncertainty that was aroused by the psychedelics), and i’ve had amazing trips that practically cured my OCD for weeks afterwards. if you have a healthy, respectable relationship with drugs they can be an enhancement to life. HOWEVER, if you have a history of drug abuse (like i do, heavily abused of weed and nicotine), it is most definitely the best route to refrain from drugs for an extended period of time or deal with the issues that causes you to abuse in the first place. but i agree, a sober mind does allow you to navigate your thoughts easier, in most contexts. however, just because you abused in the past doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy relationship in the future. just as an unrighteous man can change his wicked ways, so can you change your unrighteous relationship with drugs. remember, drugs have been used since the dawn of man to enduce states of spirituality and transcendence. abusing that relationship will certainly lead to turmoil.

@jake Yeah I agree it does depend on the person I guess. For me I've not had a single bad trip and on all my trips I felt amazing, basically only 5% of my OCD was left. But the days after it would be wayyyyyy worse. For me the drugs tend to help while I'm still in the high but the hangover or days after it's just worse.

@ewaedb that’s interesting, actually. my last acid trip i felt relief during and weeks afterwards. i feel like a huge part of the psychedelic experience that’s missing from street/recreational use is the lack of a professional helping you understand and integrate the experience afterwards. i’m really excited to see how the oregon psilocybin therapy centers do once they are established.