Discussion Altered states of consciousness.

[Forever Sleep]

Do you do certain things or, take certain substances to try to change how your brain functions? I'm too square to try drugs beyond what I've been prescribed in the past. Codeine was such a relief to numb pain and make me sleepy. I get tipsy drunk before bed sometimes. I enjoy the sensation of not being quite with it. That funny, floaty feeling.

I became obsessed with doing art fairly young because it took me off into another world. Or rather, it made me less conscious of this shitty one. There was bullying shit going on in my childhood that I wanted to escape from. I've always felt like it was meditative in that way and, that has continued to this day.

Partly why I enjoyed being creative was because it just swallowed up my time. Where I wouldn't be thinking quite so intensely about how I was feeling or, what I was worrying about. I think that's partly why I don't like working with other people. It's harder to get lost in work when others are around.

Perhaps one of the best activities for focusing concentration is using power tools. Because, without it, you run the risk of serious injury! I wonder if other things are like that- eg. rock climbing, racing cars. Precision work maybe that you know you can't keep repeating.

I imagine a lot of people have tried meditation at some point with the hopes it will transform them.

Do you do certain things to numb or distract or focus your brain? Which work best for you? If you've tried drugs- I'm curious. Were you afraid what effect they may have? Were you concerned about addiction?

 

[tooBadTooLate]

I've been taking Ritalin for a few months now, although I'm taking a tolerance break this week. Engaging in creative hobbies doesn't seem to bring much more relief to me these days, especially since I've secluded from the outer world and when I quit my job. I'll be honest, taking drugs seem to be the most exciting thing that I could think of right now. There's nothing out there that interests me, I'm scared of meeting other people, and I'm living with my family who gives as much care about me as a person I'm passing by on the street. They do distract me from reality, an awful way of coping, as far as I know.

Alcohol is, meh, okay, I guess. Spiced rum and Coke is good, but getting drunk is a terrible experience. Being numb all over your face is something better said than actually feeling it. So glad I kicked that a few months ago.

 

[GhostInTheMachine]

I abuse LSD, so that the drug side of things for me. Other than that, I practice a lot of mindfulness exercises or immerse myself in art. There's just something about going into a trance where my only focus is art and spirituality that helps keep me centered.

 

[Pluto]

 

[Skallagrim]

I learned of something, a technique, that sort of did this. It's really hard to do these days - my mind is a busy and loud place, full of me shouting at myself. But back in the day when I was young and hopeful it actually worked.