Completely befuddled synesthete

Fascinating What was your set and setting like? I notice when a situation comes up where I have to suddenly function or, in particular, guide others through their experience, that my trip takes a huge backseat to my sudden responsibility, and I can feel downright sober even while in the peak of a good dose.

Keep in mind that while your synesthesia might be enjoyable at times, it is at the end of the day, a malfunction of the brain, something that is not evolutionarily advantageous (saber tooth tiger's roar makes you "see" a roar, blocking view of tiger?), and even though your creative side has found ways to enjoy it, perhaps the LSD was just actually helping you out. How many times have you tripped with LSD before? Were you born with synesthesia or was it drug induced?

 

^^that sounds fucking awesome! i would absolutely LOVE to hear more about your "condition"

seems like the impression of color that comes with sound is your most common sense entanglement?

what else? do you taste sound or sight? do any of your other senses get tangled up with each other?

i see you mention scents change to words. give some examples?

very fascinating.

 

I also would like to hear some more examples...

I don't know much about synesthesia at all.

 

this screensaver apparently tests for hearing-motion synesthesia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLhuRIeHj6Q"]Screensaver reveals new test for synaesthesia - YouTube


i just watched this for the fun of it too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3DbScY8Ais"]Synesthesia: A film by Jonathan Fowler - YouTube

at ~6:50 he starts talking about how antidepressants can inhibit synesthesia, and tiredness, drunkness, etc can make it more intense

 

I didn't hear a thing on that test but have had colour/sound synaesthesia my entire life so it doesn't work or I don't. Thanks for posting it though, would be good to know if anyone hears anything.Oh wait hearing motion? That's not mine,duh!

 

I get impressions of colors in music constantly, mostly associated with certain instruments and the way they are played. It isn't something I am forced to do, only when i really try to take in the song. For example, I get impressions of a hot pink and a slightly warm yellow when I hear the saxophone sounds of Shine on You Crazy Diamond, that is just the example that springs to mind.

 

That's awesome dude, you can read energy, this is the next step in evolutionary consciousness. I can sense energies and hear subtle currents. the only energy field (aura) I have been able to see is my own but I am practicing.

 

There is a section in The Psychedelic Explorers Handbook about "microdosing". I've never had the ability to ensure exact doses and meter them out in a very controlled manner such as that requires but I've found the concept intriguing as well.

I believe This Moment has done a lengthy regimen such as this but I don't know that he's written about it here. You might inquire.

 

That link kind of devolved... but ya. Try this one....

http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=428672
and
http://www.noetic.org/noetic/issue-sixteen-november/the-promise-of-psychedelic-research/ <--- might answer your question

Fadiman is a really smart cat. That link covers most of what that book does.

I'm not personally learned in microdosing. My experience and understanding of LSD is 180 out from the concept of microdosing but that doesn't mean there's not something there, or, with other psychedelics.
Is there a specific goal or interest you have in this idea?

 

I also don't think its fair to call it a malfunction of the brain. Synesthesia takes so many different forms. It could be disadvantageous in some situations, advantageous in others, or nuetral - it really depends on the person and context. i can see how it could actually allow you to have a greater amount of conscious information to work with. if you are in the wild and you see a flash a red every-time you hear a dangerous animal nearby it might give you a better reaction time/greater awareness. my mom has synesthesia and see's colors and shapes when she hears sounds, especially music. it doesn't block her vision and she see's it more when she closes her eyes.

i think this can be very distracting if you aren't use to it - like someone tripping balls - but its different if you've had it your whole life.

 

i know someone with synesthesia and it increases when she trips - but i guess it really depends on the type of synesthesia

 

That was pretty weird. I always have a slight, high-pitched humming or whine in my ears...not necessarily tinnitus, since I get that occasionally, and it's much louder.
But, when I looked at that video with those dots, it definitely changed pitch when the dots were receding or advancing.

I don't think it compares to synaesthesia while tripping, when a loud sound can almost knock me down, or a chaotic visual field can be very load, but it was pretty cool.

When I was really young, I thought the sound was some window to another world and would try to concentrate on it. Years ago I thought the constant sound I heard was "Music of the Spheres" when I first heard the concept. More recently I have thought that the sound in my ears was probably related to blood-flow. After looking at those dots, now I wonder if my optic nerve somehow interferes with my hearing.

I've got to pay more attention to this and explore it some more. I think it could be useful in clearing my mind during meditation like a mantra.

It kind of goes with my theory that when tripping, some of the more mild visuals are really more realistic that when you are seeing "clearly." The idea is that our eyes see glare, optical distortions, and similar effects all the time, but normally our brain clarifies them based on experience. When tripping, our brain may not clarify them as much so they appear to be mild visuals.

 

so you were "baseline" while tripping, or after the drug wore off?
i know you said it took a few days or a week for the colors to come back, so i know you mean LSD lessened your natural synesthesia after it wore off, but what about ON the trip?

i don't understand homeopathic "medicine." don't get how treating a cough with something that produces a cough could help. ...wait. weed?

i read on wiki briefly and noticed that it's about as effective as placebo. much like popular pharmaceutical anti-depressants.

sometimes placebo can be a very strong effect. going along with the power of a positive outlook