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Psychedelics and creativity

92 Do psychedelics help artists perform their work?

Nine subjects (28%) in the psychedelic user group reported that under the influence of LSD and magic mushrooms, they are unable to work and reach the creative state because of the strong effects. But 22 (68%) thought that experiencing an altered mental state psychedelics may be useful in the inspirational phase of the creative process.

I had once a try to write under the influence of LSD. I wrote two sentences and I realized that I should not see the white paper, rather the colorful things around me. The white paper was kind of waving about, and I realized that this will not give me inspiration (Psyched_01_F).

… but it is perfect for collecting ideas or for inspiration (Psyched_06_M).

Well, by the use of hallucinogenic substances, various visual things can be seen or one can get into such mental states that are impossible to reach in normal cases. From such a self-reflective, pondering stuff, something can come out what might influence creation indirectly (Psyched_13_M).

Art produced under the effect of psychedelics

Eight subjects (25%) had tried to work under the influence of psychedelics. The works of art they created in altered states were different from those made in their normal, conscious state.

There were some occasions when I was drawing under the influence of mushrooms and I put those pictures onto the wall because they were very interesting drawings. There were motifs branching off from each other, but it was also a human face and a smaller scene within it. So, it is a strange thing, like when dimensions slip together (Psyched_01_F).

A picture was created under the influence of LSD, from which a lot of very good ideas were born. On average, these come off well. Let’s say, in 97% of the cases they come off well (Psyched_06_M).

Once I was writing a short story with one of my friends. We were very much high because of taking LSD. I do not say that it will be published, but for me, it is still a very

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entertaining work of art. It reconstructs precisely the altered flow of language caused by this state (Psyched_18_M).

Psychedelics and consciousness

Greater ability to understand interrelations

Twenty-three subjects (71%) in the target group mentioned this phenomenon. They emphasized that in an altered state of consciousness, they do not feel more creative, but how things are connected to each other (interrelations) might be observed as a result of their changed perspective. They reported the experience of new and deeper interrelations and a liberation of thinking and introspection:

Under the influence of LSD, I feel as a better interrelation researcher rather than as a creative person (Psyched_18_M).

When we try to find connections between things, these substances can help see the same things from another viewpoint. We can think in a more liberated way and search connections in our own minds (Psyched_08_F).

Improved thinking skills

Twenty-one subjects (65%) reported a change in their thinking processes. They thought that psychedelics might alter perception by changing thinking, which persists after the effects have worn off. They claimed that these substances enhance consciousness.

I think about LSD and mushrooms that they can direct things towards the good way, if one uses them wisely – not every day, but you think it over well and usually these parallel thoughts meet. This way, totally absurd things are born (Psyched_06_M).

The experience is caused by observation and alteration of perception. When you create something, there is also a need to change your own perceptions in order to get into a mood that is difficult to reach in other ways. So, substances can reveal a prototype for having the possibility to think another way (Psyched_11_M).

94 Using the unconscious in the creative process

Fifteen subjects (46%) were aware of working with both conscious and unconscious content. They stated that when the unconscious is part of the process of creation, they do not feel as if they worked, since they were only a part of the process. Examples can be found about the comparison between LSD-like states and the artistic creative process – the two are similar in relation to altered states of consciousness.

I see pictures because a kind of a register of my brain starts to work, which is not monitored by me at all. People are capable of acquiring and recalling this. ... So, you are able to put the speed of your thoughts to the same level as during the altered state of consciousness if you once experienced it (Psyched_07_M).

The brain stops working and then, oops, I did something, I check it, and say ‘Now then!

This is good enough in rhythm.’ or ‘What is this effect?’ It works and then comes the realization that something has happened (Psyched_09_M).

Well, the vision. That is, what comes in an altered state of consciousness (Psyched_09_M).

Psychedelics and spirituality

Connectedness to a higher unity

Twenty-five subjects (78%) believed psychedelics helped them develop their view of spirituality. They reported a special kind of consciousness that causes the feelings of calmness and completeness, and stressed the phenomena of the lack of thinking and the ease of work.

One can get this special viewpoint particularly from the LSD, which is like having a better view of everything. It is very similar to the feeling that is reported by people returning from clinical death. This is a kind of consciousness, which is a sort of seeing but not in a physical sense. Rather, I simply know ‘where’ and ‘how’. This is extremely calming, because somehow, everything is exactly in its place and everything is all right (Psyched_02_F).

It was very interesting, because completely abstract things came from my work and my perception was altered. I felt that I did not have to think. So, the knowledge of why I draw this

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or that, which is normally present in creation, totally disappears then. It also happened that I put my hand on the paper just like that and the pencil ran. This happened without the awareness that I was moving my own hand (Psyched_04_F).

Amalgamating with the artwork

Twenty subjects (62%) felt unity with the piece of art they were working on, to the point where, during certain moments of creation, they did not exist separately from it. They saw their work of art as a different dimension of the world compared to the one(s) experienced in normal conscious states.

I remember concretely as if I had created something. As I was drawing and shaping, the whole thing was breathing together with me (Psyched_04_F).

... as if it ceased who I am. Really, only the picture is in front of me as I am there.

(Psyched_04_M)

Additionally, I am led into the space of the picture and that is a completely different dimension and it is very difficult to come back. It is very difficult to be transferred but it is also difficult to come back. Or it is not easy to be transferred, but it is difficult to come back, this is sure (Psyched_23_M).