Do Drugs Influence Predictive Dreams and Hypnosis?
Pharmacological Effects on Altered States of Consciousness
Do Drugs Influence Predictive Dreams?
I am not an expert on drug use and my research on consciousness studies focuses on non-pharmacological altered states such as dreams, hypnosis, and meditation. There is abundant academic literature available on drug-induced altered states if you are interested in delving more deeply into the topic. Based on the literature, such as psychologist Charles T. Tart’s book Altered States of Consciousness, originally published in 1969, we do know that both prescription and non-prescription drugs can influence dreams. If drugs can change the outcome of dreams, they can also influence the potential to make predictions while in a dream state. Some drugs, such as medically prescribed substances, are life-saving, life-sustaining, or necessary for maintaining a quality of life. In that case, and if you are interested in exploring predictive dreams, it is helpful to apply a cost-benefit ratio to the equation: does the benefit of having uninfluenced dreams outweigh the support offered by that substance? That question only applies to non-medicinal drugs. If you are taking substances that have been prescribed by a doctor, please follow the guidance and recommendation of your physicians. I am not a medical doctor. If you find that drugs are influencing your dreams and that concerns you, but you need them for health reasons, hypnosis or self-hypnosis is an alternative way to make predictions and gain insight while having more conscious control, so please know that medical conditions are not a limitation to accessing psychic phenomena. If anything, feeling better can help someone to concentrate more and therefore produce more advantageous results.
This brings us to the next topic, which is whether or not drugs influence hypnotic states, particularly during a hypnotherapy session. This is not a “clean” yes or no answer, mainly because it depends on the situation and nature of the drug.
Do Drugs Interfere with Hypnosis?
Yes, but not always in adverse ways. As long as you don’t show up to a session on an upper (e.g. cocaine), you can get the same results. Uppers block relaxation which creates an obstacle to connecting with unconscious states. Conversely, if you begin your session on something like cannabis, this won’t prevent you from going into hypnosis as you will already most likely be in a relaxed, suggestible state. However, if you have too much of a depressant to the point of falling asleep, you won’t be alert enough to receive all of the suggestions. The consciousness-oriented goal of hypnotherapy is to temporarily bypass the critical mind and access the unconscious mind in order to “lock in” new suggestions that can help you think, feel, and behave in the ways you want. Any drug that makes you either hyper-aware or overly sleepy will block access to attaining this state between heightened awareness and unconsciousness.
Case Study: André Breton, Drug Use, and Surrealist Channeling
André Breton, a co-founder of the Surrealist movement and author of the 1924 First Surrealist Manifesto (Manifeste du surréalisme), believed that drugs influence psychic channeling and he did not tolerate drug use from artists in his movement. Author and professor Anna Balakian elaborated on Breton’s preferences in her 1974 article, “Breton and Drugs”, stating: “His quarrels with Artaud and Desnos stemmed largely from Breton’s suspicions that pathological and artificial aberration of the psycho-sensory mechanism made certain of the surrealist colleagues unsuitable subjects for surrealist exploration of the human psyche” (Balakian 96).
Some writers, such as Antonin Artaud, were kicked out of the Surrealist movement by Breton partially due to drug use. This decision can be viewed from a different perspective based on what we now know about psychology and psychiatry because Artaud suffered from what is believed to most likely have been schizophrenia, and may have been self-medicating due to fewer available medications and treatments for this illness in the early to mid-twentieth century. Nonetheless, part of the usefulness of Breton’s theory about refraining from drug use while engaging in what he referred to as “pure psychic automatism” (part of his definition of Surrealism) is that it may have created more unity and focus in support of the movement’s collective artistic goals.
Overall, the focus of this post is on individual hypnotherapy sessions, which aim to address self-improvement, and predictive dreaming, which differs in some (but not all) respects from the objectives of artistic movements. Then again, dreams are associated with Surrealism, so you might want to keep Breton’s suggestions in mind if you are investigating or experimenting with precognitive dreaming. Alternatively, you can try to channel both with and without influences and compare the results. I am not suggesting drug use, but rather leaving space for those who find it useful.
I have no judgment on whether or not someone chooses to use drugs; it is your body and therefore a personal choice. Having said that, if you want to make the most of your hypnotherapy appointment, staying off of uppers for long enough to get the drug out of your system is recommended so you can reach a deeper state and therefore make the most of the time and resources you are investing in your session. Additionally, it is not necessary to be under the influence of anything while getting hypnotherapy so recreational drugs that are not being used for medicinal purposes are not suggested as they will not provide any additional advantages to your session.
Can I Drink Coffee or Caffeinated Tea Before a Hypnotherapy Session?
Some hypnotherapists will recommend avoiding caffeine before a session but I have never found caffeine to be an impediment when initiating a hypnotic state for my clients. Coffee and tea generally tend to relax me, but I am aware that a higher dose of caffeine might have more potent effects on some people than others. Use your own best judgment about whether or not to have an espresso before entering a hypnotic state.
Can Hypnosis Help With Recovery from Drug Use?
Yes, to a certain extent, and under some circumstances. Hypnotherapy has been used for addictions but there are some cases in which 12-step programmes will be recommended in conjunction with or even as an alternative to hypnotherapy. I have treated clients with addictions and others have been given hypnotherapy in addition to being referred to 12-step programmes as a follow-up spiritual practise for supplementary support and/or fellowship. Ask your hypnotherapist what they recommend, as every situation is unique. You can also ask me about a hypothetical or actual case in the Q&A below or by contacting me if you would like to book Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime hypnotherapy services.
Please post comments and questions about the history of Surrealism, altered states of consciousness, spirituality, or anything related to this article below.
Works Cited
Balakian, Anna. "Breton and Drugs." Yale French Studies 50, no. 50 (1974): 95-107.
Tart, Charles T., ed. Altered States of Consciousness; A Book of Readings. New York: Wiley, 1969.