Thread: Inducing Hallucinations Via Sensory Deprivation

it's not very fun. and 'delirium' or 'mania' might be a little more accurate than 'hallucinations.' yes, hallucinations are completely lifelike and fully integrated with reality after a few days of sleep deprivation, but your mental state will degenerate significantly, as it becomes difficult to tell whether one is awake or dreaming and even more difficult to remember the difference between the two.

Originally Posted by Dangeruss

it's not very fun. and 'delirium' or 'mania' might be a little more accurate than 'hallucinations.' yes, hallucinations are completely lifelike and fully integrated with reality after a few days of sleep deprivation, but your mental state will degenerate significantly, as it becomes difficult to tell whether one is awake or dreaming and even more difficult to remember the difference between the two.
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No not sleep deprivation, only sensory deprivation. How long could you remain conscious and aware with very few external stimuli?

oh, in that case it will start fairly quickly. The conscious brain has to be working constantly in order to remain conscious, and so as soon as stimuli cease to occupy perception, it will occupy itself with internal stimuli, and hallucinations will be perceived instead. These hallucinations are perceived as being equally as real as reality itself however, and many people have bad reactions such as delirium or terror. In the old experiment where people are blindfolded very tightly, there are always people who scramble to take their blindfolds off out of fear, or fall into states of delirium. I'm not convinced that it's entirely wise, because completely removing external stimuli means completely removing yourself from reality. It would be difficult to tell the difference between waking and sleeping anyway.

while were on the topic of sensory deprivation, has anyone tried sensory deprivation tanks(aka floatation tanks). i've always wanted to try them since i saw lisa and homer try them in the simpsons.

Originally Posted by rexle

while were on the topic of sensory deprivation, has anyone tried sensory deprivation tanks(aka floatation tanks). i've always wanted to try them since i saw lisa and homer try them in the simpsons.
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My college had one. It was in 80's so I imagine that the technology has changed quite abit. I never got to use it to the extent I wanted. The one time i did actually get to go inside, it was very bizzare. After about 25 minutes of laying completely still I started to hallucinate mildly. Just some dim patterns and alittle bit of auditory hallucination. I was only allowed half hour shifts so my session was cut short.

I would be interested to try it again sometime.

i've tried sensory deprivation (ear plugs, blindfold, and comfortable recline) a handful of times.

of course, during half of them i was journeying on psychedelics, so those aren't fully relevant to this thread.

the times i was sober, i experienced auditory hallucinations moreso than visual.

some strange hybrid of otherworldly breathing/singing/chanting mostly. along with geometric/fractal visuals of poor intensity.

i would LOVE to try a S-D-chamber.

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if you are curious about sensory deprivation...try it

all you really need is a tube sock and foam plugs...

Originally Posted by wombing

if you are curious about sensory deprivation...try it

all you really need is a tube sock and foam plugs...[/b]

heheh. I'm glad sensory deprivation tank sessions are cheap here. This thread's motivated me to give it a go. Just out of interest, since I doubt they'll let me bring acid into the establishment, how long were you sitting there, with a sock tied around your head , before you started hallucinating?

On topic: People have been using sensory deprivation (at least a total lack of light) for millenia to induce hallucinations. Tibetan Buddhists have been known to sometimes do something called a "bardo retreat". Seven weeks in complete darkness in a cave. Of course its more of "spiritual journey" than "inducing hallucinations" but if you've ever read the Tibetan Book of the Dead, there's little doubt their spiritual journeys involve a whole lot of what we'd deem hallucinations or visions.

In more modern times we have reports of prisoners thrown in the hole hallucinating after mere days of no light. People also do a mini form of the 'bardo retreat' in their own homes (for 7ish days) - there's a book circulating on the internet about this, although I can't remember where I saw it.

I remember reading somewhere that the reason that a complete lack of light is the key for hallucinating in sensory deprivation is that, when your body is receiving no light whatsoever, your brain thinks its time to put you to sleep. Because of this, it releases melatonin (and other chemicals) which eventually get metabolised into fancier compounds (like dmt).

it's hard to say how long it takes, as i always accompany sensory D with meditation, and never bothered to check a clock before and after.

anywhere from 10 mins to an hour for hallucinations.

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oh, and right on with the info about bardo retreats . i was actually going to mention them, but didn't have time.


plan to experience one when i find the right setting/opportunity.
only darkness, silence, a hole to piss in, and two liters of water per day.