A Theory

[ferret]

In another thread somebody mentioned that HPPD sufferers tend to have higher IQs than average. From what I understand about Pschedelics, they effect the brain by binding seratonin receptors so that when certain receptors are stimulated others are aswell. Perhaps the reason that we continue to have sensory disturbances like when we were tripping is because our brain learned the connection between those receptors and now when a seratonin receptor is stimulated the ones that the substance had binded it to are aswell because our brain has formed a habbit. It would make sense that people with higher IQs learned this connection faster than others. Our brain reverting back to using this connection even after months of no symptoms following use of the substance is probably related to anxiety and pehaps a form of PTSD. This is just a theory but it seems to make sense, I would like to hear the oppinions of others regarding it.

If this theory is correct it would seem that rehabilitation would be the cure not medication. But how does one rehabilitate the brain to see a certain way? The best way I can think of is to ignore visuals and try to notice them as little as possible. If you are stessed by visuals your body will believe that they are possibly dangerous to you and therefore significant. if you ignore them for an extended period of time hopefully your brain will start to filter them out again.

Thoughts?

[morbide]

I think of this as well, there is a condition called post traumatic vision syndrome which has symptoms that is like hppd and the cure for that is wearing sunglasses for a long time so the brain as you say, rehabilitates.

[nepuinthesky]

i dunno if a high IQ is compelling but there should also be a special plasticity of our brains. A german brain specialist has published a few studies about the brain which show that a brain is allways able to learn new things this is not limited to childhood but it is also able to unlearn things when they are not used anymore. he gave an example:

a long time ago the paramecium had a better brain as now. they also head eyes and extremities but when they found the best and easiest way to live this disapears over time.

so maybe ignoring could be a big part of the cure

[2muchmandy]

I thought similar. I noticed for a while my feelings were all messed up. Ie when I was bored I got paranoid. When I was excited I got nervous. Like all the connections in my beain were confused and sending the info to the wrong places

[zukov]

I agree Ferret. This nightmare start for me after i take an SSRI pills (previously i had a 'dead experiencie' with canabis). Like you said, anxiety are extremely related with this. 2muchmandy, i know exactly what are you said about going paranoid: bored---paranoid----depressed---anxiety and the circle start again.

[2muchmandy]

Its like the brain gets confused with what to do. Im happy...i was happy on mdma...( begins to sweat and feel nervous ) just gotta tell urself no im not high im bored...not high. And it re teaches itself

[SKARFON]

Not sure about the IQ part, although everyone I have met who used psychedelics the RIGHT way were always above-average intelligent/interesting people.

I do however totally agree with your theory in the sense that in a lot of cases, it's all in our heads! Notice how bad the HPPD gets when you're anxious/stressed/depressed/tired compared to when you're having a great, productive day? I think we all need to move on with our lives, for better or for worse, and do our best to improve everything we CAN improve. You might not be able to get rid of your visuals permanently, maybe never, but you can change your life in other ways order to be happy enough to cope with them. I am in the process of bettering my life and I'll let you know in 6 months how that worked out for me, haha

[gill]

I think it's some sort of disinhibition; one way or another...

[zukov]

It's just breaking the circle. It has many similarities to what people say in dpselfhelp.com.

Ignore it, relax, think positive and exercise. Easy to say, hard to do.

[ferret]

i dunno if a high IQ is compelling but there should also be a special plasticity of our brains.

I had the theory before I heard that about the IQ of HPPD sufferers (and Im not sure if its even true) I just thought that it seemed to go along with the theory.

[JamesB]

I can say IQ has nothing to do with it at least in my case.. I have always been a straight A student, was in gifted classes- which I had to be IQ tested for, participated in the Duke TIP program, 2 college degrees, etc.. I also have ignored it, not even thought about it for months at a time. But, still if I for some reason stare up at the sky- BAM there it is static cling! I may have not even noticed anything for a while. But- once I notice it again (the sky seems to be the trigger for me)- it sticks out like a football bat..

EDIT- I may also need to include, I have kinda trained myself to not really stare at the sky a lot and when I do- I usally wear sunglasses- which makes me not notice for some reason

[ferret]

I can say IQ has nothing to do with it at least in my case.. I have always been a straight A student, was in gifted classes- which I had to be IQ tested for, participated in the Duke TIP program, 2 college degrees, etc.. I also have ignored it, not even thought about it for months at a time. But, still if I for some reason stare up at the sky- BAM there it is static cling! I may have not even noticed anything for a while. But- once I notice it again (the sky seems to be the trigger for me)- it sticks out like a football bat..

EDIT- I may also need to include, I have kinda trained myself to not really stare at the sky a lot and when I do- I usally wear sunglasses- which makes me not notice for some reason

Ummm... we were saying that the IQ of HPPD sufferers tends to be higher and what you said seems to go with that not against it. Maybe I'm misunderstanding.