Memory suppression

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

It is a process which can be broken down into 4 basic levels:

Partial short-term memory 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.
Complete short-term memory suppression - This is the complete failure of a person's short-term memory. It can be described as the experience of being completely incapable of remembering any specific details regarding the present situation for more than a few seconds. 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.
Partial long-term memory suppression - This is the partial failure of both a person's long-term memory and the complete failure of their short-term memory. It can be described as the experience of having difficulty remembering even the most basic fundamental human concepts stored within the long-term memory.
Complete long-term memory suppression - This is the complete failure of both a person's long and short-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 substances 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 which is commonly referred to as "ego death."

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.

Ego death

At level 4, the most profound aspect of all-encompassing long-term memory suppression is the way in which it obliterates one's ability to recall or even feel a general sense of their own name, identity, or selfhood. The experience of this is colloquially known as ego death and is well documented throughout the modern psychonautic subculture. 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. This allows one to experience concepts from a perspective which is completely untainted by prior experience and memories due to the accompanying presence of simultaneous personal bias suppression.

Psychoactive substances

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

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Experience reports

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

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Memory suppression

Contents

Ego death

Psychoactive substances

Experience reports

See also