Geometry: Difference between revisions

[[File:Switch by Sam Perkins.png|250px|thumb|right|''Switch by [https://www.flickr.com/photos/thecubb/5132746341/ Sam Perkins]'' - This image serves as an example of a single frame of typical level 4 [[psychedelic]] geometry.]]

'''Geometry''' (also known as '''visual planforms''') is defined as the experience of a person's field of vision becoming partially or completely encompassed by fast-moving, colorful, and indescribably complex geometric patterns,<ref name="PapoutsisNikolaou2014">{{cite journal|last1=Papoutsis|first1=Ioannis|last2=Nikolaou|first2=Panagiota|last3=Stefanidou|first3=Maria|last4=Spiliopoulou|first4=Chara|last5=Athanaselis|first5=Sotiris|title=25B-NBOMe and its precursor 2C-B: modern trends and hidden dangers|journal=Forensic Toxicology|volume=33|issue=1|year=2014|pages=1–11|issn=1860-8965|doi=10.1007/s11419-014-0242-9}}</ref><ref name="Abraham1983">{{cite journal|last1=Abraham|first1=Henry David|title=Visual Phenomenology of the LSD Flashback|journal=Archives of General Psychiatry|volume=40|issue=8|year=1983|pages=884|issn=0003-990X|doi=10.1001/archpsyc.1983.01790070074009}}</ref><ref name="BressloffCowan2002">{{cite journal|last1=Bressloff|first1=Paul C.|last2=Cowan|first2=Jack D.|last3=Golubitsky|first3=Martin|last4=Thomas|first4=Peter J.|last5=Wiener|first5=Matthew C.|title=What Geometric Visual Hallucinations Tell Us about the Visual Cortex|journal=Neural Computation|volume=14|issue=3|year=2002|pages=473–491|issn=0899-7667|doi=10.1162/089976602317250861}}</ref><ref name="JuszczakSwiergiel2013">{{cite journal|last1=Juszczak|first1=Grzegorz R.|last2=Swiergiel|first2=Artur H.|title=Recreational Use of D-Lysergamide from the Seeds ofArgyreia Nervosa,Ipomoea Tricolor, Ipomoea Violacea,andIpomoea Purpureain Poland|journal=Journal of Psychoactive Drugs|volume=45|issue=1|year=2013|pages=79–93|issn=0279-1072|doi=10.1080/02791072.2013.763570}}</ref><ref name="MuthukumaraswamyCarhart-Harris2013">{{cite journal|last1=Muthukumaraswamy|first1=S. D.|last2=Carhart-Harris|first2=R. L.|last3=Moran|first3=R. J.|last4=Brookes|first4=M. J.|last5=Williams|first5=T. M.|last6=Errtizoe|first6=D.|last7=Sessa|first7=B.|last8=Papadopoulos|first8=A.|last9=Bolstridge|first9=M.|last10=Singh|first10=K. D.|last11=Feilding|first11=A.|last12=Friston|first12=K. J.|last13=Nutt|first13=D. J.|title=Broadband Cortical Desynchronization Underlies the Human Psychedelic State|journal=Journal of Neuroscience|volume=33|issue=38|year=2013|pages=15171–15183|issn=0270-6474|doi=10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2063-13.2013}}</ref><ref>Siegel RK, Jarvik ME: Drug-induced hallucinations in animals and

man, in Siegel RK, West LJ (eds): Hallucinations. New York, John Wiley & Sons Inc, 1975, pp 81-162</ref><ref>Klüver, H. (1928). Mescal, and mechanisms of hallucinations. University of Chicago Press.</ref> [[form constants]],<ref name="Tyler1978">{{cite journal|last1=Tyler|first1=Christopher W.|title=Some new entoptic phenomena|journal=Vision Research|volume=18|issue=12|year=1978|pages=1633–1639|issn=00426989|doi=10.1016/0042-6989(78)90255-9}}</ref><ref name="YoungCole1975">{{cite journal|last1=Young|first1=Rockefeller S.L.|last2=Cole|first2=Robert E.|last3=Gamble|first3=Michael|last4=Rayner|first4=Martin D.|title=Subjective patterns elicited by light flicker|journal=Vision Research|volume=15|issue=11|year=1975|pages=1291–1293|issn=00426989|doi=10.1016/0042-6989(75)90177-7}}</ref> shapes,<ref name="JuszczakSwiergiel2013" /> [[fractal]]s,<ref name="JuszczakSwiergiel2013" /> and colors.

The geometric representations may feel as though they depict specific concepts and neurological processes that exist within the brain in an extremely detailed manner.

Geometry is rarely motionless and is generally extremely fast-moving,<ref name="PapoutsisNikolaou2014" /> and self-changing in regards to its shape and style. During this process, the geometry naturally drifts laterally or radially across the visual field to create overlapping webs of geometric patterns which transition through many distinct states, all of which are visible within a single perceptual frame.

This experience is often accompanied by other coinciding effects such as [[internal hallucinations]],<ref name="JuszczakSwiergiel2013" /> [[environmental patterning]], and [[drifting]]. It is most commonly induced under the influence of [[dosage#common|moderate]] [[dosage|dosages]] of [[psychedelic]] compounds such as [[LSD]],<ref name="JuszczakSwiergiel2013" /> [[psilocybin]], and [[mescaline]]. However, it can also occur to a lesser extent under the influence of [[cannabinoid|cannabinoids]], [[entactogens]], and [[dissociative|dissociatives]] such as [[cannabis]],<ref name="BressloffCowan2002" /> [[MDMA]], and [[DXM]].

Geometry is capable of manifesting itself across known nine different levels of intensity. These tend to depend on the dosage, but can also fluctuate wildly in their intensity due to external triggers such as a person's [[set and setting]]. The individual levels are defined below:

===='''1. Visual noise'''====

At the lowest level — which may be experienced in a completely sober state — geometry is perceived as visual noise (also known as [[visual snow]], visual static, or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eigengrau eigengrau]), combined with stray light and dark red regions that appear under the eyelids.

===='''2. Motion and color'''====

At this level — which is also obtainable without [[hallucinogen|hallucinogens]] — the effect can be described as the appearance of unstructured regions of sudden flashes and clouds of color. These are typically referred to as phosphenes and can often be experienced in a sober state by rubbing or applying pressure on or near the closed eyes.

At this level, relatively complex shapes and patterns with a vague structure begin to form. These patterns remain strictly two-dimensional. Geometry at this level is fine, small, and zoomed out in size with a dark color palette that typically limits itself to only a few different shades, such as blacks, reds, and dark purples. They are displayed in front of both the open and closed eye visual fields across a flat veil of geometry. However, they are significantly more detailed with the eyes closed or within dark environments.

===='''4. Fully defined geometry'''====

At this level, the detail in which the geometry displays itself becomes profoundly complex and fully structured, but still remains strictly two-dimensional. At this point, the geometry becomes larger in size and extremely intricate in detail with a color palette that is nearly limitless in its possibilities. They are displayed on both the open and closed eye visual field across a flat veil of geometry that floats directly before a person's eyes, remaining significantly more detailed with the eyes closed or in dark environments.

===='''5. 3-Dimensional geometry'''====

At this level, the geometry has become fully three-dimensional in its shape and position across the visual field. This adds a new layer of visual complexity and leaves the geometry sprawled out across the surfaces and objects of a person's environment instead of merely displaying themselves across a basic and flat veil in front of one's visual field.

At this level, the geometry has become so intense, vivid, and bright that it has begun to block out and replace the external world. The visual perception of a person's environment begins to be replaced by geometry, with objects and scenery either transforming into complex geometric structures or simply being blocked out and covered by them. This occurs in a manner that drastically impairs the use of a person's normal vision. From this level of geometry onwards it is even possible to view geometry which is perceived to be four-dimensional or created from new, ineffable, non-euclidean, or nonsensical geometrical principles, although this is more common at higher levels.

At this level, the geometry continues to become more intense, vivid, and bright as it begins to completely block out or replace the external world and a person's sense of normal sight become completely impaired. This creates the perception that one is no longer within the external environment, but has "broken through" into another reality of extremely complex and otherworldly geometric forms.

At the highest level, geometry is capable of forking off into two separate levels of equal intensity known as level 8A and 8B. Environmental factors, a person's state of mind, and the substance consumed may determine which level a person experiences.

Once visual geometry reaches level 8A or 8B it begins to become structured and organized in a way that appears to present genuine information to the person experiencing it far beyond the preceding seven levels of relatively meaningless, although complex, shapes and colours. This occurs through the perception of innately understood geometric forms that feel as if they depict specific concepts and neurological processes that exist within the brain. Although this is also possible to a much lesser extent at lower levels it does not occur as consistently, and the intensity of it at levels 8A and 8B is significantly higher. At this point concepts can be seen as not just embedded within a person's closed or open eye visual field, but can also be simultaneously felt through indescribably complex physical and cognitive sensations.

It is worth noting that there are particular attributes of psychedelic substances which tend to result in a higher likelihood of level 8A over 8B and vice versa. Psychedelics which are physically [[stimulation|stimulating]] and contain low amounts of [[hallucinatory states|hallucinatory content]] typically result in level 8A. For example, hallucinogens which tend towards causing level 8A include [[LSD]], [[2C-B]], and [[4-HO-MET]]. In contrast, psychedelics which lead to level 8B are typically [[sedation|sedating]] in physical effects and contain high amounts of hallucinatory content. For example, hallucinogens which tend towards causing level 8B include [[psilocybin]], [[LSA]], [[DMT]], and [[2C-T-7]].

====='''8A - Perceived exposure to semantic concept network'''=====

{{:8A Geometry - Perceived exposure to semantic concept network}}

====='''8B - Perceived exposure to inner mechanics of consciousness'''=====

====[[Fractal]]s====

The specific differences between each potential style of geometry can be broken down into the following variations:

*'''Algorithmic vs. abstract''' - Geometry can either appear to follow mathematical rules and logically consistent forms in its design (which often results in high amounts of fractals and semi-predictable shapes). In contrast to this, however, geometry can also be completely abstract or random in its appearance in a way that contains an infinite amount of completely unpredictable variety.

*'''Unstructured vs. structured''' - Geometry can either present itself as completely disorganized and unstructured or it can form and condense into a variety of 3-dimensional mechanical and ever-shifting structures which are comprised out of and based upon condensed geometry.

*'''Sharp edges vs. soft edges''' - Geometry can have sharp edges which are extremely well-defined around its perimeter (sometimes with thick black outlines around its edges). In contrast to this, they can also be soft and blurred around the edges, merging seamlessly into each other in a manner which does not affect its intricacy.

*'''Fast vs. slow''' - In terms of its speed, geometry can shift and morph so fast into itself that the amount of information presented to the tripper in extremely short periods of time becomes incomprehensible to process. In contrast to this, they can move slowly and comprehensibly, swirling and shifting into themselves to present ever-changing geometric forms that can be observed at a much higher level of detail.

*'''Smooth vs. jittery''' - In terms of its motion, geometry can move smoothly with a high frame rate, or it can be jittery in its motion with lag and a low frame rate.

*'''Round corners vs. angular corners''' - Geometry can either have mostly rounded and circular corners or mostly sharp corners with sharp and angular geometry.

*'''Non-immersive vs. immersive''' - Geometry can be manifested in front of one's face in a manner which feels separate and as if it was being presented on some screen without a distinct sense of size or distance attributed to it. In contrast, geometry can feel as if one is completely immersed in and surrounded by it with a distinct sense of attributed size and distance.

*'''[[8A Geometry|Level 8A]] vs. [[8B Geometry|level 8B]]''' - At its eighth and highest level of experience, geometry is capable of branching off into two different directions of equal intensity. The first of these is [[8A Geometry|Level 8A – exposure to semantic concept network]] and the second of these is [[8B Geometry|Level 8B – exposure to the internal mechanics of consciousness]]. </onlyinclude>