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given the @slatestarcodex shoutout yesterday, I'd like to post a thread about how the inverse can also be true: how psychedelics can put anti-annealing, or work hardening into your neuromuscular system https://t.co/pQJ58sJh2o
it seems like while all of the above afford the neuroplasticity required to rewire the body map, the former two also 'round off' sharp stimuli (pain) in such a way that the energy can be dissipated efficiently without causing more trauma
my spit test of these analgesic properties is that on MDMA/2C-B I can swish iced water over my teeth. this would normally be extremely painful but in these states it results in a vivid sensation which is not exactly 'pain' per se
okay, I now have two cautionary tales around DMT. so I was messing around with DMT in my room at night. during the come-down period I noticed a big wolf spider in my bedroom. I like spiders and decided to get a glass and help it out the window https://t.co/ePshhxpzze
doing this while still on DMT put this dense pattern of contraction throughout my right latissimus. I was struggling to use my right arm for a few days. I figured the poison might also be the cure and tried massaging it on DMT but only managed to shift the contraction around.
I guess the point of these two stories is to demonstrate how I was able to accidentally traumatise and then detraumatise my neuromuscular system in a fairly simple way under the influence of psychedelics. Scott said it better than I could: https://t.co/3WJjytbQjS
I should add that I find myself reluctant to use the word 'trauma' in this context – it's too emotionally loaded. I think I prefer the term 'work hardening' instead. it's a bit like annealing's dual. https://t.co/mTEJ5MVFqV