Spiritual Dissociation

Spiritual Dissociation is not a condition experienced or sought frequently or widely. In fact, it is only seen in this form on one planet, Hyp, the same planet on which Somnus Slough is found. The same tribes that occasionally use the slough for anesthetic usage also take advantage of a different boon granted to them by the dangerous jungles of their home planet.   The Mindspore Bloom is a fungus that grows only in the jungles of Hyp, often growing near or from Somnus Slough pits. It is a sort of mushroom or fungus that grows on a creeping, thorned vine. The fungus itself looks like an apple-sized knot of auburn flesh. Upon maturation, these fungal buds unfurl, blooming into a floral-like shape, expelling their noxious spores.   This cloud of spores is what the tribes of Hyp use to induce a condition called Spiritual Dissociation, an intentional ritual of sorts that sinks the inhaler into the depths of their inner minds, descending into a spiritual journey towards the earth’s ancient consciousness and past, present, and future versions of their spiritual self. This condition is intentionally brought on in order for inbibers to grow stronger spiritually, find balance in their souls, and to heal from past traumas while they attune with the spirit world and ancestral primordial powers unseen by normal eyes.   The tribal cultures of Hyp carefully cultivate the vines in which Mindspore Blooms grow, though they cannot grow them within their own camps as they cannot risk accidentally triggering the spores, as it would put those unprepared for a spiritual journey at potential risk. Instead, they carefully tend to them in their natural habitats, and often dangerous forays, as their preferred environments often grow in dangerous locations like near Somnus Slough.   Those who use the Mindspore Bloom in order to intentionally trigger Spiritual Sissociation have grown a profound reverence for the fungal growths, integrating it into various spiritual practices so that they may become closer with their own inner spirits and entwine with the earth’s ancient consciousness.   These ceremonies are not characterized by overt displays, but by a quiet, collective striving for transcendence, an effort to disentangle their primordial selves from the more conventional aspects of existence.   The objective of these practices is not simply clarity, but a deliberate blurring of existential boundaries, a merging with an expansive and natural force, subtly indicated by the pervasive, earthy fragrance within the ceremonial spaces.  

---

Biological Effects

The body quickly begins to experience a variety of sensations within the first few minutes after ingesting the spores. Initially, there's a rapid acceleration of neural activity, heightened neuron firing often manifesting as an immediate increase in heart rate and blood pressure. The pupils typically dilate significantly, and some individuals report a tingling sensation across the skin.   As the experience deepens, the brain's usual filtering mechanisms for sensory input temporarily cease functioning. Leading to a deluge of unfiltered information, often resulting in a synesthetic phenomenon where senses merge. Sounds might be perceived as colours, or tactile sensations as geometric patterns. This leads to a more chaotic, yet intensely vivid, sensory landscape. The increased metabolic demands of the hyperactive brain may lead to an elevation in body temperature and heavy perspiration.   Further, there are notable changes in proprioception and kinesthetic awareness. The body's sense of its own boundaries and position in space will become fluid or distorted. Muscle tension fluctuates, leading to periods of involuntary tremors or, conversely, profound relaxation.   At the peak of the experience, the brain enters a state of hyper-connectivity, forging novel and transient neural pathways. This may contribute to the subjective feeling of ego dissolution, where the individual's sense of self disperses, and the perceived boundaries between internal experience and external reality blur.   From a biological perspective, this could be seen as a temporary reorganization of hierarchical brain processing, leading to a de-emphasis on self-referential thought and an increased focus on primal or universal patterns. Respiration can become either shallow and rapid or deep and slow, depending on the intensity of the psychological content. The return to baseline is often accompanied by a feeling of exhaustion and a lingering dullness in sensory perception, as the brain gradually reinstates its typical inhibitory controls and re-establishes normal homeostatic balances.   Luckily, the experience is always accompanied by a strict watch of other tribe people, ensuring that the experiencer of the condition does not bite their tongue, or experience any negative physical damage, though they cannot protect them from any sort of potential psychological trauma. In the circumstance that an individual inhales these spores in the wild, they are likely in more danger from their environment and any wandering fauna than they are of permanent physical danger occurring physically. While the experience is intense, it is primarily a relatively safe one.