Carpe diem
In every culture there are one-liners about how we should enjoy the moment and not worry too much about tomorrow. Any mindfulness training or Guru will tell you the same thing that there is nothing but the eternal now. “Seize the day”, “YOLO” and be here now are wisdom that reminds us that we should enjoy the here and now more and worry less about the future.
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the “present.
In English, today, the present, can also be translated as gift.
Everyday is a gift, so live it
Lyrics to Hurricane by Ran-D
And put your all into it
You got one chance to do this
Trust your faith and don't you lose it
When darkness comes, bring the light
Look inside your heart, get through the night
Feel the thunder rise inside
It's time for the fire to reignite
The elements of life can hit you like a freight train
It's a mind game, in a time frame
Face it and take it
Just believe you can make it
Gotta roar like a lion and choose the path of a champion
You're fucking indestructible
Knowing is different from doing
A lot of customers with anxiety-related complaints are excessively concerned with the future in order to feel safe. It is a learned pattern that does not provide safety, but unrest. The learned patterns in combination with lower levels of neurotransmitters in the brain (GABA, serotonin), create a negative spiral. Even though these people know that things can be done differently, they cannot escape their fear. These people are too busy with things other than living in the now.
Default Mode Network
The Default Mode Network (DMN) includes brain areas in the cortex that are normally active during rest and is involved in remembering events, social and emotional judgment, and planning for the future. Reducing the activity of the DMN ensures that the sense of time disappears and people live more in the here and now. This means that there are no worries and fears about the future.
Decrease the activity of the DMN
To be more in the here and now, you need to reduce the (over)activity of the DMN and this can be done in several ways. Experiencing new things and receiving new impressions decreases the activity of the DMN. Anything that needs your complete attention will also be deactivated by the DMN. This includes strength training, sprinting, social activities, forms of meditation and traveling.
Good sleep and healthy food
Good sleep and a healthy diet have the effect of reducing stress. This indirectly results in less activity in the DMN. Any diet that reduces depression and anxiety helps in combination with other techniques.
Recommended diet for depression and anxiety
Psychedelics and the DMN
Psychedelics are now known to drastically reduce the activity of the DMN, while allowing new brain connections to be created. This may mean that the new compounds outside the DMN will take over activity outside the psychedelic state. In this way, psychedelics can reduce anxiety and stress in the longer term. At higher doses, all time perception and ego awareness disappear. Currently, psychedelics are the strongest means of disabling the DMN.
Less activity of the DMN therefore means more life in the now
Give yourself the greatest gift there is and enjoy the here and now. Grab life with both hands. Life is not just about surviving, but especially about experiencing. Decrease activity of your DMN by making as many healthy choices as possible. Kickstart your life by using our support in healthy choices and a guided psychedelic session.