redlightsflash
Rising Star
First some general background: I'm 24 and while I have experience with other substances out there, I would not say I am at all experienced with psychedelics. I have never tripped. I have, however, developed a respect for psychoactive substances in general.
Why am I interested in learning about DMT (of course, not to actually use it)? Why did I come here?
To be honest I constantly wonder why I am interested in drugs at all. It's a really good question to ask oneself, I think. At the surface, the reason I became interested in DMT was to have an experience with a distinct alternate reality, dimension, existence, etc. But why do I have an inclination/desire for that? I think this is because I like to think deeply about things, theorize about the unknown, and I want to experience these things rather than simply think about them. The itch is to learn via a profound experience.
I don't really know what I want to experience (yet), but I am looking at this as a learning and enlightening experience; at the very least, thought-provoking. One question I have come to in my research is whether or not one should "prepare" (I say that lightly) by reflecting on what they want out of the experience. From what I understand you cannot control the experience, so on one hand it does not seem wise to "expect" or try to control anything; on the other hand, being unprepared seems foolish.
Along with the unknown, I am especially interested in dreams.
I did not know the connection between dreams and DMT before I came upon it, but now that I understand a bit more I find it fascinating and it has spawned much greater interest in the molecule for me than originally. One thing, about dreams, that I found interesting to learn about was that an undisciplined mind cannot recognize or control their dreams, but the disciplined one can. I remember a time when I was 10 or so that I was having a nightmare, recognized the absurdity and that I was dreaming, and just somehow focused my mind on what it would be like to "pause" the dream like a video game (I also became aware at this time in the dream that I had complete control over it, I just didn't fully know how to control it). After concentrating on what it would be like to pause it, it happened, and I was pretty amazed by the "PAUSED" text that appeared in the middle of my vision. The funny part is after I paused it my logical brain said "well shit, now the only thing you can do is unpause and continue", so I did, and eventually woke up from the nightmare.... Of course upon waking I then realized that because I briefly had the thought that the only thing I could do was unpause, that it became reality, and the control I had ceased......
Ever since then I've tried to recognize my dreams, and have had a decent amount of success, but sometimes they are too real and ordinary to recognize any anomalies or surreal aspects. I'm working on clever ways to overcome this, such as recognizing when scenery changes - even if they're both very real individually.
Another odd thing about dreaming for me is that I typically get enjoyment out of nightmares. They scare me, but somehow I enjoy the fear. I even intentionally instigate nightmares when I am dreaming (I guess you could say this is lucidity). In real life, I also am typically most interested in activities that involve some phobia of mine - I love rollercoasters, rock climbing, and want to skydive (fear of heights for me)... and I also love paintball (getting shot at is somewhat of a fear).
I don't really know if I am ready for DMT or not. Some aspects of dreaming and the "disciplined mind" seem relevant to DMT experiences, though in what way I don't really know yet (and no, I do not think my mind is disciplined, but I do think I have potential). From what I read, no one has control over a DMT experience.... but perhaps we DO have control over it, but it is instead at a deep, deep unconscious level in the brain, so we never realize after or during that we had control at all during the DMT experience. It is a control we are not familiar with. Why do we sometimes have nightmares? Is there a connection to "bad DMT trips"? And same for positive ones?
I definitely have a lot more questions before I go into it. Typically having knowledge on a subject reduces my anxiety tremendously, boosts confidence and leads to a better experience (this is speaking of normal life experiences, but can be the 'set' in 'set and setting'). Research is always a good idea before diving in.... (and DMT is certainly a dive, no two ways about it).
You guys clearly think on a different level than I do, which is something interesting I have observed since coming here. I look forward to learning something from all of you.
Why am I interested in learning about DMT (of course, not to actually use it)? Why did I come here?
To be honest I constantly wonder why I am interested in drugs at all. It's a really good question to ask oneself, I think. At the surface, the reason I became interested in DMT was to have an experience with a distinct alternate reality, dimension, existence, etc. But why do I have an inclination/desire for that? I think this is because I like to think deeply about things, theorize about the unknown, and I want to experience these things rather than simply think about them. The itch is to learn via a profound experience.
I don't really know what I want to experience (yet), but I am looking at this as a learning and enlightening experience; at the very least, thought-provoking. One question I have come to in my research is whether or not one should "prepare" (I say that lightly) by reflecting on what they want out of the experience. From what I understand you cannot control the experience, so on one hand it does not seem wise to "expect" or try to control anything; on the other hand, being unprepared seems foolish.
Along with the unknown, I am especially interested in dreams.
I did not know the connection between dreams and DMT before I came upon it, but now that I understand a bit more I find it fascinating and it has spawned much greater interest in the molecule for me than originally. One thing, about dreams, that I found interesting to learn about was that an undisciplined mind cannot recognize or control their dreams, but the disciplined one can. I remember a time when I was 10 or so that I was having a nightmare, recognized the absurdity and that I was dreaming, and just somehow focused my mind on what it would be like to "pause" the dream like a video game (I also became aware at this time in the dream that I had complete control over it, I just didn't fully know how to control it). After concentrating on what it would be like to pause it, it happened, and I was pretty amazed by the "PAUSED" text that appeared in the middle of my vision. The funny part is after I paused it my logical brain said "well shit, now the only thing you can do is unpause and continue", so I did, and eventually woke up from the nightmare.... Of course upon waking I then realized that because I briefly had the thought that the only thing I could do was unpause, that it became reality, and the control I had ceased......
Ever since then I've tried to recognize my dreams, and have had a decent amount of success, but sometimes they are too real and ordinary to recognize any anomalies or surreal aspects. I'm working on clever ways to overcome this, such as recognizing when scenery changes - even if they're both very real individually.
Another odd thing about dreaming for me is that I typically get enjoyment out of nightmares. They scare me, but somehow I enjoy the fear. I even intentionally instigate nightmares when I am dreaming (I guess you could say this is lucidity). In real life, I also am typically most interested in activities that involve some phobia of mine - I love rollercoasters, rock climbing, and want to skydive (fear of heights for me)... and I also love paintball (getting shot at is somewhat of a fear).
I don't really know if I am ready for DMT or not. Some aspects of dreaming and the "disciplined mind" seem relevant to DMT experiences, though in what way I don't really know yet (and no, I do not think my mind is disciplined, but I do think I have potential). From what I read, no one has control over a DMT experience.... but perhaps we DO have control over it, but it is instead at a deep, deep unconscious level in the brain, so we never realize after or during that we had control at all during the DMT experience. It is a control we are not familiar with. Why do we sometimes have nightmares? Is there a connection to "bad DMT trips"? And same for positive ones?
I definitely have a lot more questions before I go into it. Typically having knowledge on a subject reduces my anxiety tremendously, boosts confidence and leads to a better experience (this is speaking of normal life experiences, but can be the 'set' in 'set and setting'). Research is always a good idea before diving in.... (and DMT is certainly a dive, no two ways about it).
You guys clearly think on a different level than I do, which is something interesting I have observed since coming here. I look forward to learning something from all of you.
