Critical listening and altered states

@hilde45 

I guess what it boils down to is simply the fact that I'm not experienced in utilizing substances in precise doses to achieve what you describe; hence my difficulty grasping your meaning.

I don't know to whom you were referring in terms of a "need to talk" that is "more emotional than rational".  My frames of reference for examining awareness tend to be meditation and art-making, rather than utilization of substances, although, decades ago, like many of my peers, I did my share of experimentation with chemically-alteted states

@mahgister 

Thanks for your comments.

"Each perception can be a creative act" ... I'm going to have to muse on that one! 

I will go further, if listening music is not already an altered state of consciousness for you, you have a big problem...It is a kind of deafness which also is in the neurological litterature...

Even speech sound and musicality can induce an altered state of consciousness( hypnosis or chorus singing etc )

Even just listening to music for some people is sufficient to induce altered states of consciousness. No stimulants are needed.

Thanks for this interesting article .

This is well documented in the scientific literature. Here is just one example of a book on the subject - Herbert, R. (2011). Everyday Music Listening: Absorption, Dissociation and Trancing. Aldershot, Ashgate.

https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/louis-armstrong-and-cannabis

Some quotes from Louis Armstrong on the utility of "gage" in his musical career.

Cannabis is relaxing and can make the "flowing state " easier for a musician...

But in some case it can be handicapping as for Chet Baker....Heroin is not pot...

Interesting article thanks...

https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/louis-armstrong-and-cannabis

Some quotes from Louis Armstrong on the utility of "gage" in his musical career.

Our only reference for timbre is acoustic instruments played without sound reinforcement. The recording process alters it as do the playback instruments/components. Also we have so many non acoustic instruments, we have no reference for timbre with this. If this true how can stress be caused by imperfect timbre.

Levels of ASC in any particular individual cannot be known by any of us. Many report very high levels of musical engagement with very ordinary equipment. It would seem logical to suggest those who seek and need highest quality audio components are more resistive to high levels of ASC. On the other hand, considering there are differing levels of ASC, perhaps those with the greatest needs equipment wise wish to have even higher levels of ASC than previously experienced. In this case audiophilia is an affliction in which, just like other addictive drugs,  tolerance may be reached which means even greater amounts/better equipment needed to maintain the high.

Now, the above contingent on what are the goals for any particular audiophile, perhaps the equipment itself brings about certain levels of ASC. No doubt humans can lust after material objects, think about how many humanize these objects, men often give their cars women's names. My neighbor has males names for my cars.