Memory suppression

Memory suppression (also known as ego suppression, ego loss or ego death) can be described as an effect which directly inhibits one's ability to maintain a functional short and long term memory in a manner which is directly proportional to the dosage consumed.

It is a process which can be broken down into 3 basic levels:

Concentration suppression - This is the partial failure of a person's short term memory. It can be described as a general difficulty staying focused and an increase in distractibility.
Short term memory suppression - This is the complete failure of a person's short term memory. It can be described as the experience of becoming being completely incapable of remembering any specific details regarding the present situation for more than a second or two. This is capable of resulting in thought loops, disorientation, loss of control and confusion for the inexperienced. Long term memory however remains entirely intact as people are still perfectly capable of recollecting their name, date of birth, childhood school, etc.
Long term memory suppression - This is the complete failure of a person's long term memory. It can be described as the experience of becoming completely incapable of remembering even the most basic fundamental human concepts stored within the long term memory. This includes one's name, identity, home town, that they are on drugs, what drugs even are, what human beings are, what life is, what existence is or what anything is. The most notable of these, however, is the loss of one's ability to recall their concept or sense of self and identity. The experience of this is colloquially known as ego death. It results in the profound experience that although one is not unconscious, there is no longer an “I” experiencing current sensory input; there is just the input as it is and by itself.

Although memory suppression is similar in its effects to amnesia, it differs in that it is usually possible for the person experiencing it to recall what happened during the process after it is over. However, amnesia by its very definition allows people to retain information within the present moment but renders them incapable of recalling it afterwards.

Psychoactive substances

Compounds from our psychoactive substance index which our may cause this effect include:

Experience reports

Anecdotal reports which describe this effect with our experience index include:

... further results

Memory suppression

Psychoactive substances

Experience reports

See also