The “reducing valve” or “filtration theory” of consciousness, popularized by author Aldous Huxley, in his 1954 book The Doors of Perception. Huxley states the human brain and nervous system primarily act as filters to protect us from being overwhelmed by the massive influx of sensory data present in the universe, narrowing it down to a “measly trickle” necessary for our survival as a human.
In The Thalamic Gating Mechanism: The brain relies on a system called the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) loop. The thalamus acts as the ultimate filter, deciding which external sensory inputs and internal signals are important enough to send to your conscious awareness. Entheogenic plants temporarily suppress the gating function, allowing an unfiltered flood of information to reach your higher cortex.
In The Default Mode Network (DMN): The network is essentially the brain’s “conductor” or orchestrator, responsible for managing your ego, your sense of self, and your habitual ways of filtering reality. Psychoactive compounds like psilocybin or DMT temporarily quiet down the DMN. Without this central control mechanism, the brain enters a state of higher connectivity, allowing areas that don’t normally talk to each other to freely exchange information.
While science confirms that the physical filter is lowered, philosophers and researchers still debate exactly what is flooding in. Some believe it opens the door to a deeper layer of external, objective reality, while others argue it allows us to experience the vast, unedited depths of our own subconscious minds.
Entheogenic plants are flora that contain psychoactive compounds used in traditional, religious, or spiritual rituals to induce altered states of consciousness.
Common Entheogenic Plants and Fungi include: Peyote (Lophophora williamsii): A small spineless cactus native to Mexico and Texas that contains the psychedelic compound mescaline. Ayahuasca: A sacred brew from South America made by combining the vine Banisteriopsis caapi and the DMT-containing leaf Psychotria viridis. Diviner’s Sage (Salvia divinorum): A member of the mint family from Mexico containing salvinorin A, used traditionally by indigenous shamans for visions. Psilocybin Mushrooms: Fungi containing psilocybin that have been used globally in spiritual and shamanic practices for millennia
These substances reduce the filter that blocks out what we don’t normally need to see for the biology to survive, and we see more of what is actually present.
Being consciously focused on your thoughts and intentions, opens up your electromagnetic energy field connecting and creating synergistic interactions with your higher self’s stream of consciousness that carries more information and history about you, your wounds, densities, confusion and wisdom you aren’t putting into practice yet.
Synergies attract energy, wisdom and compassion that change the energy signatures of all parties during their engagement with each other. Self-compassion is consciously treating yourself with neutral positive acceptance, understanding facilitating one to consciously, sincerely forgive and accept the self as is without blame, abuse, judgement or punishment for perceived mistakes, misdirection or unkindness and is critical to building our sense of well-being, worth and connection with higher frequencies of compassion. True personal growth starts only after fully accepting your current reality, flaws, and emotions without judgment, blame or punishment and will reduce your resistance to accepting you just as you are. When you experience a setback, confusion or redirection, maintain a neutral positive non-judgmental mind set, YOU are and always have been a part of the universal flow of compassionate energy.