Floatation tanks (otherwise known as sensory deprivation tanks or isolation tanks) are pitch black, soundproof tanks filled with salt water at skin temperature. Effectively, they allow you to float without sensory input. They are used for all sorts of reasons. Athletes use them in order to benefit their training and facilitate recovery from injuries. Meanwhile,…
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Depressive episodes vary in length. One person may experience the symptoms of clinical depression for a month, whereas, for another, the episode could last a year. The real cruelty of depression, however, lies in the fact that the very nature of the condition makes it difficult to recover from. I describe depression as the ultimate…
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We are currently experiencing a renaissance of research into psychedelics. More evidence is accumulating that point to the therapeutic effects of these fascinating substances. Chemicals like psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms, have been shown to effectively alleviate the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. Indeed, many users of psychedelics swear by their transformative properties, improving…
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Nazi-style euthanasia was an infamous form of euthanasia carried out by physicians in Nazi Germany. It involved the death of some 90,000 individuals and began with the killing of infants and children. These 90,000 victims were killed because of their physical and mental infirmities, which, according to Nazi doctors, made them unworthy of life. In…
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Consciousness is present throughout our everyday lives and in every situation, we are involved in, be that solving a problem or dreaming in a state of deep sleep. However, if I try to pinpoint one common, underlying feature in these experiences, in order to realise what defines consciousness, no one aspect of the experience palpably…
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