The Astonishing Way to Instantly Silence the Incessant Chatter in Your Mind

Hint: I’m not going to tell you to meditate.

“Free your mind, and the rest will follow.” — En Vogue

Do you recall the infamous “Red Pill Scene” in The Matrix? It’s the one where Neo gets to choose between taking the red pill or blue pill. If he swallows the blue pill, he can return to his slime-filled prison. There he’ll continue his life as a human battery while his mind is distracted by the false existence that is the Matrix.

Or, he can go for the red pill, wake up from his ignorance, and experience harsh reality.

Learning to quiet your mind is like taking the red pill. Only in this scenario, the reality of your present moment is far better than the past/future thought-prison your mind creates.

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Why Silence The Chatter

If you’re like most people, your mind is a never-ending narrative nuisance that plagues you every waking moment of your existence. Chances are, you’ve tried to defeat it and can’t. So your mind is running the show.

Why does it matter if your mind spews a constant barrage of commentary? For one, most of it’s contrary. For another, it distracts you from the here and now. And it forces you to focus on the past, which is no longer, or the future, which doesn’t exist. So you miss out on your life, which only exists in the present.

Your mind is continually judging, labeling, comparing, and blaming — both yourself and others. If you’re dissatisfied, unhappy, depressed, or anxious, that may be why.

So here’s how you’ll benefit from quieting your mind and a quick and dirty trick for those of you who can’t.

1. You’ll reduce depression, anxiety

The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle, introduces the concept that you aren’t your mind. Tolle writes, “Identification with your mind creates an opaque screen of concepts, labels, words, judgments, and definitions that block all true relationships. It comes between you and yourself, between you and your fellow man and woman, between you and nature, and between you and “God.”

Tolle also suggests that all of your problems derive from either thinking about the past or future. Which every one of us does, all the time.

If you can quiet your mind and focus on the present, you’ll notice your problems seem to dissolve, and your anxiety and depression will fade.

2. You’ll be more focused, creative, and your ability to complete tasks will increase significantly.

Research shows when you maintain a state of mindful meditation, you’ll have an increased ability to focus on tasks. And you’ll be far more effective at completing said tasks. Your creativity will be significantly enhanced, as will your ability problem solve.

3. You’ll eliminate negative thoughts and their health consequences.

Each thought you have creates an emotional reaction in your body. Unsurprisingly, positive thoughts trigger positive emotional responses, and negative thoughts spawn adverse psychological reactions.

When you ruminate about a past adverse event or worry about the future, your mind thinks those scenarios are happening right now. And your brain triggers your sympathetic nervous system. Otherwise known as “fight or flight.” You might be in a chronic state of fight or flight triggered by your thoughts. Usually, you’re not in immediate danger.

During fight or flight, a torrent of hormones cascade into your bloodstream. Epinephrine (adrenaline) pumps into your system, causing your pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure to increase. Cortisol surges into your bloodstream, and your digestion shuts down.

According to Harvard Medical School, fight or flight increases your chance of heart attack and stroke and can damage blood vessels and arteries. Increased cortisol in your bloodstream urges you to eat more to replenish the energy you lost, causing you to gain weight.

The Way to a Chatter Free Mind

If you’ve tried to shut your brain off and repeatedly failed, here’s a scientifically proven way to a chatter-free mind. Once you’ve had a glimpse of what mental peace feels like, your motivation to try other methods may increase dramatically. And you might even be able to meditate.

So here’s the fastest, easiest way to shift your consciousness to the present.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll

Sex, drugs, and rock n roll are notorious for their ability to bring your mind into the present. But we’re going to focus on drugs. Keep an open mind. There’s scientific evidence to my madness.

Why Drugs?

Ever wonder why recreational drugs are so ubiquitous? Because they can cause a shift in your consciousness, shut-off the narrative in your brain, and allow you to focus on the moment.

I’m not suggesting you become a crack-smoking, heroine-shooting dope-head. Those are highly-addictive substances and not worth the risk.

I’m talking about psychotropic, non-addictive drugs like Marijuana, Psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD. But before you get your proverbial panties in a wad, let me explain.

Marijuana

Marijuana has been valued for centuries for its therapeutic properties. It’s currently used extensively by self-medicators who find it helps them focus on the present moment and minimize their mental musings.

Fortunately, weed has ditched its dark and dubious past. Its medicinal properties are widely acknowledged, and it’s slowly gaining legal status. If you’ve never tried it, it’s an excellent place to start. If you have, I’m preaching to the choir.

Hallucinogenics

Hallucinogenic drugs like Psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD have been used for centuries to pursue religious and spiritual enlightenment because of their ability to shift human consciousness.

These drugs weren’t always illegal. And there’s currently a revived interest in their medical efficacy. There are ongoing, extensive studies, and the scientific community encourages legalization.

In his book, “How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence,” Michael Pollan delves deep into the history of these drugs.

Pollan explains that psychedelics were once legal and used successfully in the US to treat mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, and addiction. According to Pollan, “For most of the 1950s and early 1960s, many in the psychiatric establishment regarded LSD and psilocybin as miracle drugs.”

How They Work

Hallucinogens alter your perception, mood, and a slew of other mental processes by working their magic on your brain’s cortex. The drugs activate specific receptors called 5-HT2A receptors (2ARs) that are typically triggered by serotonin.

This cascade of neurobiological changes to your brain helps you to experience a renewed wonder at everyday things. You’ll have greater self-awareness. Your senses will be more acute so that colors appear more vibrant and sound, taste, and smell more intense. And you’ll remain focused on the present.

The positive effects remain long after the drugs have left the building. Participants reported a significant reduction in anxiety and depression after just one use.

They also mentioned experiencing a “spiritual awakening,” responsible for a permanent shift in their consciousness. Afterward, participants said it was easier to stay focused on the present, and they had a greater awareness of the interconnectedness of all things.

What Else You Should Know

You’ve most likely grown up with a cultural bias against substances like LSD, Magic Mushrooms, Ecstasy, and the like. It may be challenging to shift your perspective enough to consider giving them a try. Keep in mind; they’re not for everyone.

I would make the usual disclaimer of “check with your doctor first…”, but I don’t think we’re there yet. If you do want to try these powerful substances, it’s essential to do your research. It’s best to try these in a supportive, controlled environment. Find a guide who’s familiar with these medications' effects and know where to source them; this goes double for you if you’re unfamiliar with them.

Since they’re still illegal in most places, this isn’t easy to do. You can participate in a study or find a clandestine organization dedicated to the advancement of their use.

If you’d like tips, tricks, hacks, and articles about psychedelics and other health and wellness topics, sign up for my newsletter at https://janetashforth.com/newsletter-opt-in-2/ or visit https://janetashforth.com