From Soul to Soul

The Business of Altered Consciousness.

Shamanic Visions in Paris

The "Shamanic Visions" exhibition at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris invites attendees on an introspective voyage, transcending physical boundaries to explore the mystical realm of ayahuasca. This mysterious brew, at the heart of Amazonian shamanic practices, offers a profound journey into the recesses of consciousness.

Upon entering, the exhibition pays homage to indigenous art. The radiant works of the Shipibo-Konibo, with their mesmerizing labyrinthine kéné patterns, blend seamlessly with the dynamic energy of Peruvian urban art, creating a vibrant mosaic of psychedelic creativity.

The exhibition's highlight? Its final act delves into the global spread of ayahuasca since the latter half of the 20th century, a development significantly influenced by the rise of shamanic tourism. This part sheds light on the intricate process of Western integration of these rituals, embodied by Bryon Gysin's "Dreamachine," co-created with Ian Sommerville in 1959. This apparatus, producing strobe light effects for closed-eye observation, guides the brain into an alpha wave state, skillfully balancing deep relaxation and awakened consciousness. It represents a pragmatic approach to capturing the essence of ayahuasca-inspired spiritual journeys.

At the Crossroads of Worlds

Walking out, my mind was buzzing, propelling me towards what seems to be the next big revolution: that of psychedelics. In the United States, psychedelic medicine is experiencing a spectacular revival, fueled by public enthusiasm and targeted investment funds. Europe is not far behind, with several countries gradually embracing this trend. In France, despite some lag, medical studies have recently been given the green light again.

I also recall reading an article on Crunchbase a few months back about the rise in investments in hypnosis apps. Moreover, French startups are carving out a significant niche in this field. This trend is anything but trivial, as Google statistics show: searches for "hypnosis" have skyrocketed, with a 238% increase in one year, peaking at 823,000 queries in February.

Hypnotic concerts are also making their debut. Geoffrey Secco, a musician, hypnotherapist, and producer, deliberately moves away from the spectacle of stage hypnosis, like that of Messmer, to embrace Ericksonian hypnosis. Characterized by its depth and slowness, it allows for a much more intimate and human immersion. Committed to the belief that exploring our consciousness is vital in facing the challenges of transhumanism, Secco invites us on an inward journey that is both personal and collective.

At the heart of these practices, both ancient and modern, lies a common quest: to decipher the mysteries of our subconscious. Whether for healing, self-exploration, or expanding our consciousness, each method is driven by a deep desire to better understand and master our inner selves. This is what a hypnotherapist revealed to me: our industrialized societies, having met Maslow's basic needs, are moving towards a new era of well-being granularity, and it will be through altered states of consciousness.

The Dream Machine's Comeback

Especially now, with an entire new generation of braintech aimed at creating altered states of consciousness in a non-invasive way.

I've recently explored this arena by experimenting with the Dream Machine. Forget the 1959 version; this is about its contemporary offspring, a brainchild of Brice Battung and Kevin Finel. These two experts in hypnosis, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience have completely revamped the experience. And what an experience it turned out to be! I was thoroughly captivated and ended up purchasing it immediately :)

This intriguing device, operating through photo-neuro-stimulation, reveals itself as a semi-psychedelic and non-invasive gateway. It forges a path between meditation, often seen as hard to access, and the complex world of psychedelics, which requires deep knowledge. The magic of the Dream Machine lies in its sophisticated programs, all accessible via its dedicated app. My favorite? The 35-minute "Gamma" program, which stimulates the brain's fastest frequencies, linked to concentration and peak cognitive efficiency. I also find comfort in the "Falling Asleep" 13-minute program, perfect for overcoming insomnia, and "Day Dream," a real decompression chamber after a Zoom marathon.

Pioneers like Pandora, Lucia, Roxiva have already treaded the paths of hypnagogic light, but their high cost limited them to a select few. Recently, the Lumenate app has sought to make this experience more accessible, leveraging the light from our smartphones. However, the flashes from phones suffer from limited power. Relying on a single light source is like trying to create a symphony with just one note, a clear limitation when considering the possibilities offered by more sophisticated systems like the Dream Machine, to which even Neuroviz and its mask cannot compare in terms of light intensity.

Work in Progress...

Intriguing, isn't it? And yet, we're only scratching the surface of exploration, as photonic stimulation is just one among many methods to induce altered states of consciousness. Shamanic drum rhythms, binaural sounds, inaudible frequencies, magnetic stimulation, and even ultrasound expand the range of possibilities.

The latter is precisely the approach taken by the enigmatic startup Prophetic Ai, aiming to "stabilize lucid dreams" and seemingly keenly aware of the buzz around the r/luciddreaming Subreddit, which boasts 537,000 members. The founder's bio, dripping with nuance, sets the tone: "Prometheus stole fire from the gods; we will steal dreams from the prophets."

The initial idea is undoubtedly promising, yet its implementation might prove complex. This technology, less familiar and documented compared to established methods like photostimulation, ventures into relatively uncharted territory. To successfully navigate these unexplored waters, a strong foundation in R&D is crucial.

In the realm of lucid dreaming, startups developing devices such as ultrasonic EEG bands specifically target the brain areas active during REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), a phase characterized by intense brain activity similar to waking states, accompanied by rapid eye movements. This stage is crucial for inducing lucidity since it's then that dreams are clearest and awakening consciousness within the dream becomes possible. The method relies on an effect akin to Pavlov's, aiming to stimulate dream state recognition and thereby increase the chances of achieving lucidity. However, the challenge of precisely targeting these brain regions without disrupting sleep accounts for the hurdles faced by the few startups venturing into this niche.

As Thomas Edison pointed out, "Vision without execution is just hallucination," and that's not just a play on words :)

The Great Discoveries

The profound lesson, if we dare to seek it? Here we stand at the threshold of a new age of exploration of our spirit. According to Epictetus, our strength lies not so much in our ability to control external events, but in our reaction to them. In a world captivated by technology, entwined in the meshes of digital platforms, and shaken by toxic behaviors — as evidenced by the 139% increase in Google searches for books on 'dark psychology', dissecting the ways manipulation, deceit, and exploitation are orchestrated to influence or dominate others — we may be on the verge of discovering the path to a deeper understanding of our essence.

This quest, far from being a flash in the pan, emerges as a defining chapter in our cultural and scientific odyssey. "Our generation was born too late to discover new continents, too early to explore distant galaxies, but you were born at the perfect time to join the extraordinary adventure of exploring your own mind" reads the slogan on the case of the Dream Machine. An assertion that resonates with the clarity and tragedy of our condition, reminding us that, in the absurdity of our existence, the true adventure is the one that leads inward, where each personal discovery defies the vastness of our ignorance.

MD

PS. Some of my most loyal readers might have noticed... In Bed With Social is sporting a fresh new look, crafted by the talented Carol Pierre.