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Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG

nature.com

131–140 of 206 posts

Re: Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG

#131
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Many, though not all, participants and shamans report the presence of an intelligence that is distinct from their own. That's been my experience with it. For me, the literalness of "plant spirit" is accepted reality. In the circles I hang out with, we don't put the term, plant spirit, in air quotes. Generally, the two plants that are combined are the Ayahuasca vine, which contains the various MAOI, and Chacruna, whic…

I haven't done Ayahuasca or DMT but in my experiences with hallucinogens I occasionally meet a Neanderthal who is quite skilled in walking me through my trip while on Psilocybin Mushrooms.

Yeah, my understanding is that psilocybin has its own thing. Like an intergalactic internet.

Your experience with your guide reminds me a bit of Hank Wesselman's experiences, written up in his memoirs.

Re: Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG

#132
post #49

> Decreased alpha power is a particularly consistent finding in neuroimaging research with psychedelics7,8,11. Alpha is the most prominent rhythm of the resting-brain, particularly in humans, and particularly in adulthood30. Alpha has been linked with high-level psychological functioning31,32, top-down predictive processing18,33 and related feedback connectivity34 - all of which have been found to be disrupted under…

One of the worst side effects of cannabis :[ I miss dreaming and REM sleep. feelsbadman

I personally dont miss my nightmares of which I had many. In that sense I consider it a good side effect.

It is one of the primary reasons I indulge.

Re: Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG

#134
post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, it looks that way, but who walks around telling that to people? I recognise it as that. I took some interest in Zen Buddhism, years before this happened, and would sometimes experiment with meditation and controlling my breathing. “In the oldest texts of Buddhism, dhyāna (Sanskrit) or jhāna (Pali) is the training of the mind, commonly translated as meditation, to withdraw the mind from the automatic responses…

Out of curiosity, how old are you, if you don't mind me asking? I recall going through some reasonably similar stuff when I was 19. Curiously enough, in my case, I found biofeedback to begin to start pulling me into some similar terrain. Now, ten years later, I feel much further away from it than I have before. However, your experience isn't the first I've read where breathwork allows you to control mental "elevation…

I’m 36. Did not expect this to happen at my age. I’ll be 40 in 4 years and I thought I was too old to learn things about myself.

Re: Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG

#135

> Decreased alpha power is a particularly consistent finding in neuroimaging research with psychedelics7,8,11. Alpha is the most prominent rhythm of the resting-brain, particularly in humans, and particularly in adulthood30. Alpha has been linked with high-level psychological functioning31,32, top-down predictive processing18,33 and related feedback connectivity34 - all of which have been found to be disrupted under…

> We are able to observe ourselves in our dreams acting without the constraints of our 'executive functioning' brain.

Interestingly this can also be achieved while awake through meditation.

Re: Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG

#136
post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh, um, that’s interesting. I have found I can make myself dream while awake in a way... I use relaxation techniques on myself all day and it’s actually a bit frightening what you can make your own brain do... What happened to me is I became more openminded, more fluent in my writing, more daring in my choices, and actually also more socially aware... I can only compare it to eating the forbidden fruit of the garden…

Hey friend. I just wanted to say that I grew up with a parent that was addicted to ADHD meds and he used to say eerily similar sounding things when he was in the thick of it. If your honestly doing better I’m happy for you. But if you’re doing _anything_ without the supervision of a medical professional with experience with amphetamines and ADHD, please please please, for the good of yourself and those around you see…

These are prescription medications being taken under the supervision of both a psychiatrist and a doctor. Again, I'm actually cutting back on the medications. I was on a much higher dose before.

I find it very funny that themes of self-realisation, self-discovery and insanity are often mentioned together. It's almost as if you have to be slightly mad to actually live a little.

And the moment you begin to express your joy of living, people come out to say "You should be careful. You might be going crazy." and other people, who have lost their fear in a similar way, come out to congratulate you on your self-development.

It's almost as if every idea is a double-edged sword if you take the time to examine it.

Re: Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG

#137
post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven't done Ayahuasca or DMT but in my experiences with hallucinogens I occasionally meet a Neanderthal who is quite skilled in walking me through my trip while on Psilocybin Mushrooms.

Yeah, my understanding is that psilocybin has its own thing. Like an intergalactic internet. Your experience with your guide reminds me a bit of Hank Wesselman's experiences, written up in his memoirs.

More reading for the pile. Thanks!

Re: Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG

#138
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the worst side effects of cannabis :[ I miss dreaming and REM sleep. feelsbadman

Huh, my most vivid dreams are when I go to sleep on edibles.

I'm guessing you probably don't do that 365 nights a year. It's not just a function of dose, but also frequency. If you keep your brain saturated with the stuff constantly for a long time, then go cold turkey, about 1-2 weeks later your dreams go off the scale.

Re: Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG

#139
post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting! When you say executive functions, could ADHD be linked in a way to this? When I "zone out" it feels like REM dreaming while awake.

Oh, um, that’s interesting. I have found I can make myself dream while awake in a way... I use relaxation techniques on myself all day and it’s actually a bit frightening what you can make your own brain do... What happened to me is I became more openminded, more fluent in my writing, more daring in my choices, and actually also more socially aware... I can only compare it to eating the forbidden fruit of the garden…

can you recommend some resources for someone who's just getting started on relaxation techniques and meditation, etc?

Re: Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG

#140
post #83
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the worst side effects of cannabis :[ I miss dreaming and REM sleep. feelsbadman

I starting dreaming again after years since I stopped watching porn. Took me a bout a week of abstinence. There seems to be some merit to nofap. Might be placebo, but so far I'm not complaining.

I've experienced this as well. I wonder what it is that makes the dreams so vivid after abstaining from a neurochemical perspective.
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