DMT, Derealization, and Depersonalization

I've also taken drugs that enforce that sensation and it's much more interesting and tolerable when you've done it intentionally, know what's happening, and that it will end. Those mind states have allowed me to explore emotions and sensations from a rather removed point of view and have some realizations (pun? Not intendes) that i wouldn't have otherwise.

If you wear glasses, chances are you've learned to ignore the constant frames around your vision. I'd like you to intentionally notice them. Do you see how the vision you experience could be likened to a movie screen? You can look around but you are trapped inside this frame. Imagine if you weren't wearing glasses but you came to notice the frame at the edge of your vision. And upon noticing, found yourself incapable of slipping back into your regular sight. Like you've been pushed back and out of yourself, and you have no way to get back in. You're still in control but it's just that, _control_. It's not you, it's just control, and you can't make it you, no matter what you do. That's at least what it's felt like for me.

https://mathworld.wolfram.com/ScintillatingGridIllusion.html

Fundamentally your brain is interpreting signals coming in from your optic nerves at all times so you're not really 'directly experiencing reality', you're interpreting and processing a stream of data and constructing a map of reality from that data. This is usually all done unconsciously, but what psychedelics do at a mechanistic level is interfere with the neuronal processing of that data. You might get a crossover of memories feeding into the visual stream at some level of processing, hence 'seeing visions', or the sound channel might get mixed with the visual channel ('seeing sounnds and hearing colors').

It's not too surprising that this can have profound effects on people's psychology if they were not expecting or aware of this underlying mechanism. It's a concept in philosophy, as well, I believe it's called 'radical skepticism' or some such, the belief that nothing is real, and is in the same category as the simulation hypothesis, i.e. the belief we are in a Matrix VR world. This could plausibly lead to dissociation from normal goal-oriented behavior and result in full blown mental illness in extreme cases.

Personally, I don't really see the difference between 'base reality' and 'perfect simulation' if there's no scientific method to distinguish between the two. If a flaming angel (or UFO) appears in the sky above me, I'll still try to collect its electomagnetic spectrum. Similarly, most people can recognize when they're under the influence of a drug and when they're completely sober - at least, with experience. A first-time user could definitely get these two confused, with dangerous consequences, hence all the warnings about set and setting, trip-sitters, etc.

Regardless, those with a fragile grasp on reality or who are lacking a solid psychological core self-identity should definitely think twice about taking powerful psychedelics.

Really, we should just leave it at: "sometimes, for unknown reasons, these drugs can fuck you up for years".

I think a better rephrasing would be that these substances are powerful, should be treated with respect, and have the potential for harm if misused. Furthermore, I think that it should be said that learning to use them should be done with an experienced mentor, in a controlled environment, and in a dosing ramp up that doesn't start off with a "heroic" dose.

This used to be part of the cultural fabric of the more underground cultural aspects of psychonaut culture in times gone past; and before that, in how indigenous cultures have utilized these substances.

But, I think the land rush in the commercialization and mainstreaming of the substance and its experience has resulted in an erosion around the the idea of responsible utilization that used to be there. Very similar arc, IMO, to the cannabis legalization cultural arc.

I think that's very insightful, since so often the "panic loop" is driven first and foremost by the anxiety over feeling anxious. People feel the stirrings of anxiety, and having had a panic attack, they're terrified of that sensation returning, which fuels their anxiety and focuses them on those feelings. It's a vicious circle which is hard to break without practice, and for some, medication.