Ask HN: If you used to be socially awkward and shy, how did you improve?

Re:Ask HN: If you used to be socially awkward and shy, how d... by sph on Saturday March 26, 2022 @07:35PM (#30816311)

Same here. As a shy guy in my 20s I went to a small club on 300mg of Ecstasy, and over 5 hours I introduced myself to pretty much everybody in the place, asked a random girl to dance and went backstage to chat in another language with the band. I just felt I was a human among other humans. At home among friends.

I must've been pretty clearly high as a kite, but the lesson I learned that night is that people generally are approachable, not that scary and we just want to have a good time. The negative side effects was thinking I had fallen in mad love with a complete stranger, and the extreme dehydration that caused me to drink about 5L of water over as many hours.

I haven't taken MDMA since, I plan to try it again later in my life when I'm content with my place in the world (no more than once a season, as Shulgin recommended), but it was certainly an eye opening experience I will treasure forever. This relaxed and optimistic view of the world and other people has been with me since that very night.

With the correct set and setting, MDMA is something everyone should experience once in their lives.

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Re:Ask HN: If you used to be socially awkward and shy, how d... by specproc on Sunday March 27, 2022 @05:35AM (#30818975)

For anyone thinking of doing this, maybe I'm just being old and cautious, but 300mg is a lot to take in one go if you're new to it.

You'll get the full experience on 100. You can always take more, but never untake what you've had. My brother had a rough first time because he dropped with someone who was a bit of a warrior.

MDMA is a great drug, but best when used responsibly. I avoid alcohol with it these days too, makes for a much cleaner night and a better morning.

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Re:Ask HN: If you used to be socially awkward and shy, how d... by sph on Sunday March 27, 2022 @05:46AM (#30819018)

Good call, I was aware it was a strong dose, but it was my 3rd roll at that point.

I agree with starting with 100–150mg, and my suggestion for harm reduction is to take 5-HTP for a few days after a trip to restore some of the depleted serotonin. The post-MDMA funk is real.

Also, never redose and never chase the dragon. You will never relive your first MDMA experience, so make it count and enjoy it.

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Re:Ask HN: If you used to be socially awkward and shy, how d... by c7DJTLrn on Saturday March 26, 2022 @08:39PM (#30816649)

I can echo your positive experience but the effect this has on people around you should also be taken into account. On MDMA you're going to want to talk to everybody about everything and that can lead to awkward situations once you've come down. Not only that but upon noticing your gigantic pupils some people might be a bit freaked out or feel like they're trapped in a conversation with you.

TLDR do it around people who aren't going to mind that you're obviously on MDMA

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Re:Ask HN: If you used to be socially awkward and shy, how d... by sph on Sunday March 27, 2022 @03:52AM (#30818519)

Certainly, but one aspect of my shyness was being preoccupied over what people would think of me, and sometimes it's good to be oblivious you have dilated pupils and you look on drugs. Sometimes it's good not to overthink and just do and see no harm comes of it.

But of course socialising sober is and feels better, though it does not come as easy.

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