humanity

Mental health is a fundamental right; the future of humanity depends on it.

Exploring the Relationship Between Aphantasia and Dimethyltryptamine Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid
For the purposes of this exploration, let us define a hallucination as the experience of something that is only present in one’s mind. The hallucinogenic substance known as dimethyltryptamine, or DMT, enables the vivid experience of things that are only present in one’s mind. Our imagination also enables us to experience things that are only present in the mind. Studies report that low concentrations of endogenous DMT (that is, DMT which forms naturally inside one’s body) between 0.12 to 100 ng/ml are normally present in human cerebrospinal fluid [1]. Aphantasia is the inability to picture things in one’s “mind’s eye,” or imagination. There are two types of aphantasia: congenital aphantasia, which is present from birth, and acquired aphantasia, which develops through brain injury or illness. Studies show there are no significant structural differences between the brain of someone with congenital aphantasia and the brain of someone who can visualize things in their mind’s eye, so the primary contributor to congenital aphantasia must be a matter of functional divergence as opposed to structural abnormality. To be clear, there are some subtle structural differences in aphantasic brains, but not enough to explain the disruption of the visualization process [2]. This paper proposes that extremely low levels of endogenous DMT in human cerebrospinal fluid (near or below the lower end of the reported range, or ≲ 0.12 ng/ml) may contribute to the functional differences underlying congenital aphantasia.
By J. Martin Strangeweather3 months ago in Psyche
Counting Pennies and Brain Wiring: Why Do Some of Us Do Our Own Thing?
The Penny-Counting Puzzle As always, one thing leads to another. A random memory drifted into my mind one day, and—like memories often do—it nudged me toward a bigger question. That moment from years ago made me wonder about brain connectivity, individuality, and why some people seem wired to do things differently.
By Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner)3 months ago in Psyche
Terminal Lucidity and Hyperconnected Neural Dynamics in the Dying Brain
1. I presented a credible model to explain the phenomenon of terminal lucidity in purely mechanical terms last year (see Notes Concerning Eternity, part nine: A Neurocellular Explanation for the Manifestation of the Eidetic Afterlife During the Dying Brain Process, section 11, originally published on Facebook, February 14, 2025) [1], but it seems very few people were paying attention, so I’ll go over it again. At least once a week I chance upon someone on social media using terminal lucidity in an attempt to validate their spiritual belief system (as well as sate their desperate ego and increase their bank account, or so I often suspect). Be leery of any modern-day Lazarus who comes back from death with “secret” wisdom or the answer to everything, and be especially leery if they urge you to buy their latest book (spoiler alert: their insights are invariably flimsy and cliché) or pay through the nose to attend their latest lecture or conference. That being said, I’m not claiming that my interpretation of terminal lucidity is the correct one. What I can say with certainty is that it’s the most plausible model anyone has put forth thus far. And you can ponder its validity for free, right here, right now. Or you can listen to someone in the future regurgitate a watered-down version of this same information, most likely translating it through a self-serving lens of tropey spiritualism. I’m not saying spiritualism isn’t a viable path to knowledge—I’m saying be careful of those who peddle it! Spirituality and capitalism serve entirely different masters.
By J. Martin Strangeweather3 months ago in Psyche
Subtle Body Language Signs a Covert Narcissist Is Trying to Mimic Your Personality
At first, it can feel like a strange kind of connection. Someone suddenly likes the same things you like. They use your phrases. They copy your gestures. They seem to “understand” you almost too quickly.
By Abdul Jamil Nasir3 months ago in Psyche
Why Does a Manipulator Smile When You Are Crying?
Have you ever cried in front of someone and noticed something that made your stomach drop — a tiny smile, a calm smirk, or a strange look of satisfaction?
By Abdul Jamil Nasir3 months ago in Psyche
The Psychology of the Unseen: Why We Must Decode Human Behavior
Life never gives us a clear playbook, but people always give themselves away if you know where to look. Think about your average day. You go to work meetings, grab coffee, and head out on dates, and text your friends. Most of the time, we just listen to what people say and move on. We assume they mean exactly what comes out of their mouth. But beneath those casual, everyday conversations runs a completely different current. It is a hidden layer of life driven by secret motives, unspoken desires, and psychological games.
By Abdul Jamil Nasir3 months ago in Psyche
The Psychology of the Unseen: Why We Must Decode Human Behavior. AI-Generated.
I have always been fascinated by human behavior, which is why I created this profile... Every single day, we navigate a complex web of social interactions. We sit in business meetings, go on first dates, chat with neighbors, and scroll through digital messages. On the surface, these interactions seem straightforward. We listen to the words people say and take them at face value. But beneath the surface of everyday conversations lies an entirely hidden world—a world governed by subconscious desires, hidden motives, and dark psychology.
By Abdul Jamil Nasir3 months ago in Psyche
Emotional Control. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
A few years ago, I watched two friends lose almost the same opportunity for completely different reasons. The first was brilliant. He learned quickly, spoke confidently, and had impressive technical skills. But whenever something went wrong, he reacted immediately. A delayed payment ruined his entire week. A small disagreement with a colleague turned into days of anger. A critical comment online kept him awake at night. The second friend was average in many ways. He was not the smartest person in the room, nor the most experienced. But he had one habit that quietly separated him from everyone else. He rarely reacted in the moment. When bad news arrived, he paused. When someone insulted him, he stayed calm. When plans failed, he adjusted instead of complaining. Years later, the difference between them became impossible to ignore. The talented friend kept starting over. The calmer friend kept moving forward. That was when I realized something important. Many people spend years trying to improve their skills, income, or appearance. Very few spend time learning how to manage their emotions. Yet emotional control affects almost every decision we make. Think about the last time you regretted saying something. Maybe you sent an angry message to someone you cared about. Maybe you quit a project too early because you felt discouraged. Maybe you bought something expensive just to feel better after a stressful day. Most regrets are not caused by a lack of intelligence. They happen because emotions temporarily take control. This doesn't mean emotions are bad. Fear can protect us from danger. Sadness reminds us that something matters. Excitement gives us energy to pursue goals. The problem begins when emotions become drivers instead of passengers. Imagine driving a car with a child sitting behind the steering wheel. The child may have good intentions, but they don't understand traffic, timing, or long-term consequences. Strong emotions work the same way. If anger is steering your decisions, you may damage relationships. If anxiety is steering, you may avoid opportunities that could change your life. If frustration is steering, you may give up just before progress appears. Learning emotional control doesn't mean becoming cold or emotionless. It means creating space between what you feel and what you do. One simple technique helped me more than any motivational quote. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I ask myself one question. "Will this matter a year from now?" Most of the time, the answer is no. That rude comment online? Probably forgotten within a week. That delayed response from a client? Likely just a scheduling issue. That embarrassing mistake during a meeting? Everyone else is too busy worrying about their own mistakes to remember yours. This small pause changes everything. People often assume emotionally controlled individuals are naturally calm. Usually, they are not. They simply practice responding instead of reacting. A shopkeeper in Pakistan once shared something interesting with me. He had spent more than twenty years dealing with difficult customers. He said, "If I answer every angry person with anger, I lose customers and peace of mind. If I stay calm, most people apologize before leaving." The same principle works everywhere. In Pakistan, many beginners who start online businesses become discouraged after their first negative review. In countries like the United States or Canada, creators face similar challenges on platforms such as YouTube, Etsy, or freelance marketplaces. The environment changes. Human emotions do not. One of the biggest mistakes people make is believing they must solve emotional problems immediately. You don't need to fix every feeling. Sometimes you only need to sit with it. Disappointment often fades after a night's sleep. Anger weakens after a walk. Stress becomes manageable after talking to someone you trust. Emotional control is less about fighting feelings and more about understanding them. The next time life tests your patience, try these simple steps. Pause before replying. Take three slow breaths. Ask yourself if this situation deserves your energy. Wait twenty-four hours before making major decisions when emotions are intense. And remember that not every battle needs your participation. People admire confidence, intelligence, and talent. But the people who quietly succeed for decades usually possess something even more valuable. They have learned how to stay steady while everyone else is losing control. And in a world where almost everyone reacts instantly, staying calm has become a rare advantage. Maybe emotional control isn't about becoming a different person. Maybe it's simply learning not to let temporary feelings make permanent decisions.
By Amir Khan3 months ago in Psyche
Mixing Business with Pleasure: A Survival Guide to Workplace Relationships
It starts innocently enough. A shared glance during a painfully long Monday morning meeting. An extra five minutes spent chatting by the coffee machine. A mutual understanding of just how exhausting Project X has been. Then come the late-night Slack messages that slowly shift from formatting spreadsheets to sharing inside jokes.
By Arab Shah3 months ago in Psyche
The Better Christian I Became, The Further From Jesus I Felt
The longer I’m a Christian, the less interested I am in being a good one. That probably sounds strange, perhaps even a little heretical. After all, isn’t becoming a better Christian supposed to be the goal?
By Nils von Kalm3 months ago in Psyche
ADHD: Nature vs. Nurture… or Both? Part 1
As the stress of my separation and looming divorce overwhelmed me, I found myself asking questions like: How did I get here?
By Jesse Lee4 months ago in Psyche
Does Reality Exist Outside the Mind?. AI-Generated.
• • • It may be the most basic question a human being can ask. So basic that it seems almost absurd to state it aloud. And yet everything, literally everything, depends on the answer.
By Han Elucidation4 months ago in Psyche