Pain without painfulness: an interesting article

[Lucilius]

Makes you wonder if the sort of states described here be achieved by neurotypical individuals using the right technique. Can deep states of depersinalization be induced without the use of drugs?

>Hypnosis has been shown to have great pain-reducing potential (Buchser et al., 1994; Dane, 1996; Elkins et al., 2007; Holroyd, 1996; Houghton et al., 1996; Lang et al., 1996). More surprisingly than it's efficacy is the size of the effect, hypnosis has been shown to be more effective than morphine, aspirin, or valium (Knox et al., 1981; Kuttner, 1988; Malone & Strube, 1988; Melzack & Perry, 1975; Smith et al., 1996). One common theme demonstrated is that pain affect and pain sensation can be reduced with hypnosis. Is hypnosis a kind of depersonalization like schizophrenia? Does it share any relation to pain asymbolia in reducing affect?

 

[The anhedonic one]

I have done this many times when I use to practice samatha concentration meditation.
First time it happened was after my first jhana ( a profoundly deep state of consciousness ).
I came out of the meditation in a state of depersonalisation AND derealization.
It scared the hell out of me.

 

[PoisonousPotato]

with schizophrenia you can have pain without painfulness and other types of "negative hallucinations". i'd personally say it can be disturbing when you see physical damage to your body but you don't understand if you feel pain or not

 

[Lucilius]

I have done this many times when I use to practice samatha concentration meditation.
First time it happened was after my first jhana ( a profoundly deep state of consciousness ).
I came out of the meditation in a state of depersonalisation AND derealization.
It scared the hell out of me.

Hmmm. I am trans and have lived since adolescence in a state of moderate depersonalization, though not to the point of not having an emotional reaction to physical pain. I don't think I would find it scary to go further down that road. It certainly seems a very useful tool in any plan one might have of escaping from a nightmare life.

Anyway, do you have any good links on that kind of practice?

 

[The anhedonic one]

Hmmm. I am trans and have lived since adolescence in a state of moderate depersonalization, though not to the point of not having an emotional reaction to physical pain. I don't think I would find it scary to go further down that road. It certainly seems a very useful tool in any plan one might have of escaping from a nightmare life.

Anyway, do you have any good links on that kind of practice?

The best books ever written on this subject, especially for beginners, are:
1.Mindfulness, bliss and beyond by Ajahn Brahm.
2. The mind illuminated by culadasa ( John Yates p.h.d )

Learning the stages can only really be done through the knowledge in these books. You can download them for free off pdfdrive.com.
I have not practised for a couple of years now, so no longer have the e books. Or else I would have mailed them to you.
Good luck on your journey.