Counterculture: Rave Scene

[MathematicalxTrickery]

The Theme Song



*WARNING* Wall o-text. Skip the quoted for the discussion point. Posted only to inform those that do not know about the happenings of a rave *WARNING*

Quote:

All-night Dance or Party
2 Types of Raves
Secretive: warehouses, deserts, woods, etc.
Commercialized: typically held in established clubs




Rave Culture In The US

Extremely loud “Techno” music/dancing
Lighting and visual stimuli: lasers, video screens, etc...
14-25 age group
Alcohol-free environment
Escapist culture
Club drugs: bought, sold, consumed




RAVE PARAPHERNALIA
Light Sticks - These are used to enhance the visual experience while on the drugs (individuals see “trails” of light)

Water Bottles & Fans - Used to prevent dehydration and increased body temperatures associated with raves

Pacifiers - Rave drugs tend to cause the user to grind their teeth, the pacifier prevents this.




RAVE PARAPHERNALIA
Eye-drop bottles - These are used to store the liquid form of certain drugs.

Dust masks/Vicks Vapo-Rub - These are combined to enhance the effects of the designer drugs. The Vicks is placed under the nose the the mask is used to keep the rub from dissipating.




RAVE PARAPHERNALIA
Caffeinated Beverages/stimulants
-- These help with exhaustion caused by the dancing and stimulant effect of the drugs.



Bags of Small Candies and Breath Mints
-- The drugs intended for sale are often stored in these bags.





RAVE PARAPHERNALIA
The BOMB INHALER - combines eucalyptus, menthol, and other ingredients to awaken your senses and enhance an all natural feeling of easier breathing
Other - Anything with bright flashing lights or erratic movements (belly light, flashing watches, etc)




Drugs used at Raves:

Ecstasy
LSD
Ketamine
GHB
Rohypnol
Methamphetamines




ECSTASY (MDMA)
(3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)
Street names: “E”, “X”, XTC, Rolling, Clarity, Essence, Adam, Go, Disco Biscuit, Crystal, Hug Drug, Love Drug, Dennis the Menace, Lover’s Speed, Thizzin’

Typical Use: In its purest form Ecstasy is a crystalline powder, but is most often pressed into tablets.
Typically taken orally in tablet form
May be Snorted, Smoked, or Injected




SIDE EFFECTS REPORTED BY MDMA USERS

Anorexia
Altered Sleep
Fatigue
Sadness, midweek blues
Memory Impairment
Lack of Attention and Concentration




PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
WHILE UNDER THE
INFLUENCE OF MDMA

Dehydration
Exhaustion
Hyperthermia (106 –107oF)
Seizures
Increased Heart Rate
Kidney Failure
High Blood Pressure
Heart Failure




SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF MDMA USE

Depression
Increased release of some hormones such as prolactin and cortisol
Anxiety
Insomnia
Hostility and Aggression
Flashbacks
Memory Impairment




LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF MDMA USE

Depression, Anxiety, & Altered sleep
Loss of sex drive
Impulsivity such as obsessive compulsive disorder
Impaired working memory and recall performance
Note: Scientific research indicates that psychological problems associated with regular MDMA use are not reversible by prolonged abstinence





BRAIN EFFECTS OF MDMA


MDMA
The neurotransmitter, serotonin, modulates mood, emotion, sleep and appetite
MDMA causes a mass release of serotonin leading to the euphoric effect of the drug
MDMA results in the depletion of the body’s supply of serotonin, often resulting in irreparable damage to the brain
The depletion of serotonin and the body’s inability to replenish it causes depression
Depression may last over a year in some people




LSD
(Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

Street names: sold under more than 80 names; acid, blotter, cid, doses, trips, hits, tabs, dope

Typical Use: LSD is sold on artwork-covered blotter paper cut into tiny stamps, in small tablets called “microdots”, in thin squares of gelatin called “window panes”, or on sugar cubes




Physiological Effects of LSD

Distorted and intensified sensory input
Powerful hallucinogenic
Delusions/paranoia
Strong effect on mood and emotion
Dilated pupils
Raised body temp, heartbeat, & blood pressure




Physiological Effects of LSD

Short-Term Effects:
Hallucinations
Poor perception of time and distance
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Sparse and incoherent speech
Nausea
Numbness
Sleeplessness and tremors
Impaired judgment
Delusions
Pupil dilation




Physiological Effects of LSD

Long-Term Effects:
Flashbacks
Intense “trip”episodes
Psychosis
Psychological dependence
Convulsions
Heart and lung failure
Violent behavior
Paranoia and confusion
Catatonic syndrome




KETAMINE
(Ketamine Hydrochloride)

Street names: Special K, K, kit kat, cat valium, jet, super acid, honey oil, green, Vitamin K, Lady K, Keller, Super K, New Ecstasy

Typical Use: Ketamine is a strong anesthetic used by veterinarians. Ketamine is found in a white powder or liquid in small pharmaceutical bottles and is dissolved or added to a liquid.




“DESIRED” Effects of Ketamine

Abusers want to enter a K-Hole
dreamy feeling; floating outside body
trance-like state
sometimes described as a Near Death Experience (NDE)




Physiological Effects of Ketamine

Powerful anesthetic
Overtly hallucinatory
Muscle relaxation to complete muscle loss
Mild sedative to loss of conscience
Hypnotic
Partial amnesia
Detached, distant, and estranged from surroundings
Described as similar to drunkenness only stronger




Physiological Effects of Ketamine


Short-Term Effects:
Delirium
amnesia
impaired motor function
high blood pressure
depression
Long-term Effects:
Depressed consciousness and breathing
Psychological dependence
Effects similar to PCP and LSD




GHB
(Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate)
Street names: liquid X, liquid E, G, Georgia home boy, goop, gamma-oh, grievous bodily harm

Typical Use: GHB is usually found in liquid, which users sip from bottle caps. It may also be mixed with sweet or strong flavored drinks to cover the salt water taste.




Effects of GHB

Powerful sedative
Produces euphoric and psychedelic hallucinatory states
Stimulates muscle growth
Adverse effects: drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, severe respiratory depression, unconsciousness, seizures, coma, death
Induces a reduced level of consciousness
Memory loss




EFFECTS OF GHB

Short-Term Effects:
Within 15 minutes, unconsciousness occurs
Within 30 minutes, coma.
User experiences drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, hallucinations, hypnotic effects, amnesia, reduced blood pressure.
Long-term Effects:
Petit mal epilepsy
Convulsions
Death




ROHYPNOL
(Flunitrazepam)

Street names: Roofies, R-2, Mexican valium, rophies, rope, roaches, forget me drug, circles

Typical Use: Rohypnol is a surgical anesthetic used by Doctors in other countries of the world. Rohypnol is found as a white round pill labeled “Roche” with a circled 1 or 2. The pills are either dissolved directly into a drink or ground up and then dissolved. Rohypnol has a bitter taste.




Effects of Rohypnol

Powerful anesthetic
Sedation to loss of consciousness
Muscle relaxation to complete loss of muscle control
Reduction in anxiety
Prevention of convulsions
Partial amnesia




Psychological Effects of Rohypnol

Adverse effects: drowsiness, dizziness, loss of motor control, lack of coordination, slurred speech, confusion, respiratory depression
Impairs cognitive and psychomotor functions
Alcohol and Rohypnol potentiate each other’s toxicity




Effects of Rohypnol

Short-Term Effects:
Disinhibition Will Occur Within 10 Minutes of Ingestion
Sedation Occurs Within 20-30 Minutes of Ingestion
Approximately 10 Times the Potency of Valium
Impaired Judgment
Amnesia
Blackouts
Dizziness
Disorientation
Nausea
Difficulty with Motor Movements and Speech
Sense of Fearlessness and Aggressiveness




METHAMPHETAMINES


Street names: speed, Crank, Ice, Meth, Chalk, Crystal, Glass
Typical Use: Snorting, Oral, Injected, Smoked
Brain Effect: Powerfully addictive stimulant that affects the Central Nervous System by blocking the reuptake of neurotransmitters resulting in continual rapid re-firing of the neuron.




Effects of Methamphetamines

Short-Term Effects:
Increased attention
Decreased fatigue
Increased activity
Euphoria and rush,
Increased respiration
hyperthermia




Effects of Methamphetamines


Long-term Effects:
Psychological dependence
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Mood disturbances
Repetitive motor activity
Weight loss
Stroke

Warning, there IS bias in this source. MDMA research is heatedly debated

Genres and sub-genres of "Techno":
{note: DnB placement is odd, a** you can see it throughout all genres of techno}

Hard Dance: 130-150 BPM.

Sub-genres:
Hardstyle, Hard House, NRG, and more.

Sub-sub-genre of Hardstyle:
Dutch, Italian

Hardcore is 150+ bpm.

Sub-genres:
The most popular is Happy Hardcore [HHC]

Examples will be given shortly. More genres will be added later today.
Different genres have different "scenes", therefore grouping of the culture. It is very relevant as music has been cited to be a fundamental aspect to all cultures by the sociology field.

The new-age hippy?
The rave culture today is mixing fast, repetitive beats with uppers and/or hallucinogens, dancing the night away. After-parties become places to crash; people mingle with one another. Under the effects of MDMA, many people are free of inhibitions when it comes to conversation and feelings of ill-will subside to nothing [or close to it], hence the term MDMA. While there is always the risk of drug addiction, the drug of choice in the rave scene [MDMA] is considered a 'soft drug' by many. Those who use it are generally 'socially integrated people' as well. Source

So my questions are:

How well do "ravers" mesh with mainstream culture in your opinion? Can you usually spot an E-head from a mile away, or do you usually only know by knowing the individual?

What caused this culture to start?

Why does this culture continue to be popular?

What are the pros and cons to mainstream culture from the "rave scene"?

Examples of elements of the rave culture are welcome. If you do not know what culture is, please do not post.

[HappilyDisturbed]

I don't think a raver would wear their clothes outside of the club, since some of them tend to wear a lot of whatever when they go there, so I think you would have to know them. I don't know how it all started, I don't think anyone would know. I don't really think it is really all that popular, because then everybody would be talking about it and almost every party would be a rave party.
The pros: It sounds fun and it probably is fun.
Best place to sell drugs.
The cons: You have the risk of the cops catching you and arresting everybody.
You might die or have to get rushed to the hospital from a drug overdose.

[Penn Almasy]

Quote:

Pacifiers - Rave drugs tend to cause the user to grind their teeth, the pacifier prevents this.

I was wondering what pacifiers had to do with raves, and now I know! surprised That's rather interesting, really~


I think ravers are a bit like secret agents: normally you don't really know if someone is for sure a raver unless they outright tell you, and as for their clothes... what HappilyDisturbed said, they won't wear it outside of the actual rave itself.

Pros and cons, also what he said. And the fact that, if you're underage, your parents might ground you into the next century. And then there's the social risk of being humiliated and such. Depends on where you live, I suppose.

What caused it to start? Well, you could check google for that...

[MathematicalxTrickery]

HappilyDisturbed

I don't think a raver would wear their clothes outside of the club, since some of them tend to wear a lot of whatever when they go there, so I think you would have to know them. I don't know how it all started, I don't think anyone would know. I don't really think it is really all that popular, because then everybody would be talking about it and almost every party would be a rave party.
The pros: It sounds fun and it probably is fun.
Best place to sell drugs.
The cons: You have the risk of the cops catching you and arresting everybody.
You might die or have to get rushed to the hospital from a drug overdose.

"While the number of deaths related directly to ecstasy use is relatively low (only a handful have been reported in Great Britain and the United States), the side effects of the drug include dehydration, heat exhaustion, and dangerously high body temperatures"
Source

There are more deaths from drinking than MDMA. Drink water, stay cool. Be responsible.

[MathematicalxTrickery]

Penn Almasy

Quote:

Pacifiers - Rave drugs tend to cause the user to grind their teeth, the pacifier prevents this.

I was wondering what pacifiers had to do with raves, and now I know! surprised That's rather interesting, really~


I think ravers are a bit like secret agents: normally you don't really know if someone is for sure a raver unless they outright tell you, and as for their clothes... what HappilyDisturbed said, they won't wear it outside of the actual rave itself.

Pros and cons, also what he said. And the fact that, if you're underage, your parents might ground you into the next century. And then there's the social risk of being humiliated and such. Depends on where you live, I suppose.

What caused it to start? Well, you could check google for that...

I think it's like the modern disco culture.

[Elegant Sadism]

Hi there! Im a real live old school raver.<3 I go to underground and above ground raves just about every weekend.


If you'd like to ask me specific questions I'd be more than happy to set the record straight. Just because you go to raves does -not- make you a Raver!


Theres alot that people dont know about us!

[SuchSweetSadism]

Bella Bondage

Hi there! Im a real live old school raver.<3 I go to underground and above ground raves just about every weekend.


If you'd like to ask me specific questions I'd be more than happy to set the record straight. Just because you go to raves does -not- make you a Raver!


Theres alot that people dont know about us!

-What brought you into that scene?
-Do you use the typical drugs mentioned here, mainly highlighting LSD/Ketamine/X and including Psilocybin.
-If you don't mind answering, how old are you?
-Where do you find out about these raves?
-What do you mean by there's a lot of people that don't know about you... is the culture itself incorporated into "underground" concepts?

[lumnata]

I used to be a total club kid. (Now I HATE the rave scene. Outgrew it, I guess- that was 12 years ago...) But I reckon it's stuck around because the drugs feel so good and you get all lovely and friendly on them and have fun dancing your a** off.

I believe it started over in the UK in the late 80s, early 90s. Made it's way to the US in the mid-to-late 90s and grew from underground to more mainstream.

[lumnata]

SuchSweetSadism

1What brought you into that scene?
2-Do you use the typical drugs mentioned here, mainly highlighting LSD/Ketamine/X and including Psilocybin.
3-If you don't mind answering, how old are you?
4-Where do you find out about these raves?
5-What do you mean by there's a lot of people that don't know about you... is the culture itself incorporated into "underground" concepts?

I'm bored so I'm gonna go ahead and answer these too razz
1. My now-ex, about 14 years ago. I was first intro-ed to it at 16 and went to my first rave at 17. I was into it until I was 20 and got pregnant and never really went once I was a few months pregnant (and had stopped drugs a few months before pregnancy). My ex got into it before I did from visiting Florida and talked so highly of it to me that I wanted to check it out.
2. Yeah, mostly X. It was my drug of choice for years, and definitely my rave d.o.c. LSD gave me bad trips (even the really good stuff, I'm prone to psychosis- not the same thing as hallucinations/high- and it sucks).
3. 30
4. You just get into the scene and find out about things. Back then we weren't so connected to the internet and had to find out other ways. Record shops are the first thing that come to my mind, finding flyers for raves. When you have friends in the scene, they have friends and you hear by word of mouth. Then the more people you know, the more you start hearing about the really underground stuff, and private parties and such, and after parties.
5. n/a

[Cynic-san]

"Ravers" lost their counterculture status years ago as the whole culture was absorbed into the mainstream and watered down. I wouldn't consider the majority of "ravers" to be "ravers" anymore....

...Unless you're some guy, high on E, wearing a coat made out of glow sticks. That's a Raver.

[Invictus_88]

Not part of it, but I do have some affection for the culture.

I've a few friends in the scene, and in the UK at least it seems in a lot of ways quite admirable. So long as people keep looking after eachother, it works.

[SuchSweetSadism]

lumnata

SuchSweetSadism

1What brought you into that scene?
2-Do you use the typical drugs mentioned here, mainly highlighting LSD/Ketamine/X and including Psilocybin.
3-If you don't mind answering, how old are you?
4-Where do you find out about these raves?
5-What do you mean by there's a lot of people that don't know about you... is the culture itself incorporated into "underground" concepts?

I'm bored so I'm gonna go ahead and answer these too razz
1. My now-ex, about 14 years ago. I was first intro-ed to it at 16 and went to my first rave at 17. I was into it until I was 20 and got pregnant and never really went once I was a few months pregnant (and had stopped drugs a few months before pregnancy). My ex got into it before I did from visiting Florida and talked so highly of it to me that I wanted to check it out.
2. Yeah, mostly X. It was my drug of choice for years, and definitely my rave d.o.c. LSD gave me bad trips (even the really good stuff, I'm prone to psychosis- not the same thing as hallucinations/high- and it sucks).
3. 30
4. You just get into the scene and find out about things. Back then we weren't so connected to the internet and had to find out other ways. Record shops are the first thing that come to my mind, finding flyers for raves. When you have friends in the scene, they have friends and you hear by word of mouth. Then the more people you know, the more you start hearing about the really underground stuff, and private parties and such, and after parties.
5. n/a

Thanks for your input! ^-^

I see it being a lot more popular in Florida, but I live in NYC and I find that finding out about these things is pretty difficult even with all the people. If there is a rumor of one passing around, it's usually miles away.

Rave after parties? Any for other things than sensual kinds?

[MathematicalxTrickery]

Cynic-san

"Ravers" lost their counterculture status years ago as the whole culture was absorbed into the mainstream and watered down. I wouldn't consider the majority of "ravers" to be "ravers" anymore....

...Unless you're some guy, high on E, wearing a coat made out of glow sticks. That's a Raver.

I also had a hat made of "candy".
Nay, I preferred to go on off event nights. Electronica genuinely cheers me up; sometimes I catch myself slightly grinding my teeth while I'm listening to it.

My ex got me into it. Hated the idea, but I try [almost] anything once.
In Texas it sure is a counter-culture.

[MathematicalxTrickery]

SuchSweetSadism

Rave after parties? Any for other things than sensual kinds?

After parties can be just a good place to crash while you're winding down. Cheaper than a hotel and xtc makes one very, very in depth chatty [among the obvious other things]. Very, very easy to express yourself.

[lumnata]

SuchSweetSadism

Thanks for your input! ^-^

I see it being a lot more popular in Florida, but I live in NYC and I find that finding out about these things is pretty difficult even with all the people. If there is a rumor of one passing around, it's usually miles away.

Rave after parties? Any for other things than sensual kinds?

They're not sexual or anything. As the other person said, it's just a place to wind down on a smaller scale.