Chapter 1: The Psychedelic Experience

This marks my first foray into the topic of psychedelics in over a year, and I'm thrilled to share my newfound insights with fellow enthusiasts and readers. The literature surrounding psychedelics extensively covers how these substances can alter one's perception of reality. Many users report experiencing ego dissolution, feeling more alive and connected than ever before. This phenomenon can be likened to "dying before dying," a phrase echoed by numerous psychedelic explorers.

Among the various hallucinogens, ayahuasca stands out as perhaps the most powerful. It has garnered attention from numerous individuals, including celebrities like Lindsey Lohan and Sting, who have shared their liberating experiences during retreats in the Amazon rainforest. Similar sentiments have been expressed regarding LSD, magic mushrooms, and particularly DMT.

While proponents of Eastern philosophy suggest that deep meditation can yield similar states of consciousness, this path often requires years of dedicated practice to master. As someone who has engaged in daily meditation for the past two years, I have experienced moments of insight, often referred to as satori in Japanese culture. Nevertheless, I believe that psychedelics can sometimes serve as a shortcut on the journey to enlightenment.

Some individuals argue that they have achieved profound levels of gratitude and self-discovery through meditation, especially when combined with cannabis. However, this claim is only valid if one can manage the increased heart rate associated with deep breathing! This begs the question: can there be an alternative to psychedelics and meditation? As many are aware, hallucinogens can pose risks to both physical and mental health if used carelessly. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct thorough research on the effects of each substance before diving into the world of psychedelics.

The rise of virtual reality (VR) has led to a shift in how we perceive our surroundings. People are now purchasing virtual real estate for exorbitant sums—one individual reportedly spent $450,000 to live next to Snoop Dogg in the metaverse! It’s only natural that this trend would begin to influence various facets of our lives, including personal development.

According to a May 2022 study published in Nature.com, group VR experiences can produce ego attenuation and feelings of connectedness akin to those induced by psychedelics. The researchers introduced a VR framework known as “Isness-distributed” or Issness-D. This approach utilizes the unique aspects of multi-user virtual reality to explore how individuals perceive boundaries between self and others. Typically, four to five participants are immersed in a shared environment, where they encounter a diffuse “cloud” of smoke-like material with a bright light positioned at the location of their hearts.

The researchers describe this phenomenon as energetic coalescence—participants merge their diffuse selves within the VR space, creating a shared experience that blurs the lines between individual identities. In this space, participants view themselves and their surroundings as interconnected and dynamic, fostering a profound sense of unity and ego attenuation similar to that experienced during a psychedelic journey.

David Glowacki, the lead researcher, aimed to facilitate a self-transcendent experience (STE) rather than simply replicating the effects of hallucinogens. The goal was to ascertain whether VR could reliably evoke intense STEs. Participants reported feelings of intimacy, playfulness, innocence, and purity, which led to a sense of calm spaciousness.

This groundbreaking study represents the first attempt to analyze a “distributed multi-person VR experience” using measurement scales typically reserved for psychedelic experiences. The findings suggest that virtual reality has the potential to facilitate STEs while simultaneously diminishing egoic identity and enhancing feelings of connectedness.

While this research is just a preliminary step, it offers a glimpse into the future, where we might experience profound states of consciousness without the use of psychedelics.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article! If you're interested in more of my writings, feel free to check out my Medium page:

Viktor Marchev — Medium

Read writing from Viktor Marchev on Medium. I delve into various topics, sharing my personal narratives and insights.

Chapter 2: Virtual Reality as an Alternative

In the first video, "Virtual Reality and Psychedelic Therapy: A Model for the Future," we explore how VR can serve therapeutic roles similar to psychedelics.

The second video, "Psychedelics & VR: Tripping Through Realities," delves into the transformative potential of combining these two realms for personal growth.