DMT The Spirit Molecule - Rick Strassman-pages

Page 300 of 369

Page 300 of 369
DMT The Spirit Molecule - Rick Strassman-pages

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student. Considering the enthusiasm with which Bob professed his involve- ment in the studies, it was surprising to hear him say he "needed time to 290 * TAKING PAUSE Tom leave his wife and marry her. Tom panicked and broke off the relation- ship. Leanne sued Tom, the clinic, and the university. Tom then threatened to sue me for "lack of supervision" if the university didn't let him leave without serious consequences. The university, wanting to avoid a lengthy, expensive, and highly public trial, settled the case out of court, and I avoided being named in a lawsuit. Learning from this experience how liable I was for the behavior of those working under me, even if I didn't know what they were doing, I decided it was time to reign in Bob the wayward graduate Crying and accusing me of being unfair, Bob did not take well to being told he could not take drugs with the volunteers. My department chairman suggested I let him go. However, our research team was small, and it would have taken months to train someone to take his place. I gave him a second chance and told him that he could continue with the re- search if he promised to avoid socializing with volunteers. The university attorney and my chairman recommended I make him sign a contract to that effect. This would allow me to cleanly end his relationship with the project if he slipped up again. think about it." Within a week, he reluctantly agreed to sign the contract prohibiting him from inappropriate extra-research activities. However, his poor boundaries and desire to take drugs with those involved in the research spilled over into another area: wanting to take drugs with me. Bob made the hour-long drive up to my house in the mountains be- hind Albuquerque one Saturday and appeared at my door unannounced. Beginning with the cheery, and unlikely, "I was in the area and thought I'd drop by," the conversation quickly turned to his interest in "maybe taking psilocybin mushrooms with you." I was surprised, and I asked him what was going on. "I've got so much more to learn about psychedelics. I can't take them with volunteers now. But you've got so much to teach. I want to tap some of that knowledge and experience. What better way than to trip with you in your home?"