What is the subconscious mind?
The subconscious mind is a collection of all the processes occurring in the brain that are not perceived by the conscious mind. So, pretty much everything that isn't thought about, but still works. Think of your unconscious reflexes, learned patterns, and innate behaviors.
Why does the subconscious mind determine the quality of my life?
The subconscious mind sends signals to the conscious mind without the conscious mind realizing it. Through these signals, the subconscious mind directs the conscious mind to make certain choices. Often, the choice is already made before you can consciously think about it. In that case, everything seems to happen automatically. People with depression and/or anxiety often harbor a hidden fear in the subconscious. This fear may not be related to current reality, but the subconscious can still send signals to the conscious mind.
Veritasium's explanation of the subconscious
Veritasium explains in an easy-to-understand way how the conscious and subconscious brain work together in the video below.
Communicating with the subconscious
Connecting with the subconscious is something almost everyone does every time they dream. During dreams, a chemical called DMT is released, which is produced by the pineal gland.
DMT is very similar to serotonin and can therefore bind to the same receptors in the brain. As soon as there is a lot serotonin When DMT stimulates receptors in the brain, particularly in the frontal lobe, the brain enters a state of hyperconnectivity. This state of hyperconnectivity is called dreaming during sleep and tripping during wakefulness. During dreaming, communication with the subconscious mind is highly effective. This can result in unusual dreams or dreams that cause you to process things you've recently experienced.
Being awake and dreaming at the same time
There are several techniques that trick your body into thinking it's asleep, causing the pineal gland to produce more DMT. We call this tripping. Being in a dream state or a state of hyperconnectivity during the day can have many benefits. This state of being is useful for exploring the subconscious while consciously present, rather than dreaming. While tripping, you can clearly see where your fears lie, and often realize that those fears aren't real at all. This new knowledge is then processed, and old (negative) patterns are changed.
Subconscious mind changing methods
There are methods that can help such as hypnotherapy, EMDR, deep meditation and breathing therapy.
Because psychedelics can induce a much higher state of hyperconnectivity than the aforementioned substances, which only allow the body to achieve a limited state of hyperconnectivity, we perform our trip therapy with psilocybin. This method works best for depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
The way psilocybin works is very similar to the body's own serotonin which also has an antidepressant effect. Psilocybin's effects also induce a state of hyperconnectivity in the safest way of all psychedelics.
Here you will find more information about how psilocybin works.