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. This occurs in a manner that is directly proportional to the dosage consumed.

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. For the inexperienced, this state of mind can often result in thought loops, confusion, disorientation, and a loss of control.
Partial long-term memory suppression - This is the partial failure of both a person's long-term memory combined with the complete failure of their short-term memory. It can be described as the experience of an increased difficulty recalling basic concepts from one's long-term memory. For example, one may take a longer time to recall the identity of close friends or temporarily forget how to perform basic tasks.
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 concepts stored within one's long-term memory. This includes one's name, identity, hometown, that they are on drugs, what drugs even are, what human beings are, what life is, what existence is or what anything is. In many cases this memory loss is also associated with a loss of a sense of self, in which one is no longer aware of their own existence due to being unable to recall or comprehend the concepts they associate with it, this experience 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 afterward.

Ego death

At level 4, the most significant aspect of complete long-term memory suppression is the way in which it suppresses the ability to recall and comprehend key concepts associated with one's sense of self-hood and identity. The experience of this is colloquially known as ego death and its occurrence is well documented throughout the modern psychonautic subculture.

This can result in the profound experience that despite remaining fully conscious, there is no longer an “I” experiencing one's sensory input; there is just the sensory input as it is and by itself. It often results in the feeling that one is processing concepts from a fresh perspective which is completely untainted by past memories, prior experiences, contexts, and biases.

Ego death will often synergize with other coinciding effects such as personal bias suppression, unity and interconnectedness, spirituality enhancement, and delusions in a manner which further increases its subjective intensity and transpersonal significance.

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