I was under the impression that psychedelics can lead to ego death so an inflated ego seems strange.
this post was submitted on 07 Sep 2023
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It can definitely inflate ego, and people often misunderstand what ego death is (or the term can mean different things to different people).
In essence my understanding of it is that ego death is that bit when you stop having a past or future, the only thing that exists is the present existence. This is something you don't want to continue indefinitely, but can be an experience to learn from after the fact, it can also be something that leads to trip looping if you're not in the right environment for it.
If you've ever met the cliche psychedelic person whose so full of them selves, I'd say that their ego has been boosted.
Hell, I've experienced it whilst tripping; the feeling of having such a magical, almost holy experience that I felt Jesus-esque vibes when approaching some friends.
Also the whole feeling like you can understand anything you put your mind to is pretty ego boosting.
(Though a little confidence and some boosted ego isn't necessarily a bad thing if you suffer from low self esteem and anxiety)
There are several schools of thought on the ego, one of the more prominent ones being the conquering or killing of the ego. I personally found a lot more clarity in understanding and accepting the ego, seeing it as a part of my mental and emotional landscape that focuses on meeting my basic needs. I definitely agree however that it can be aggressive and loud, drowning out higher order of thought and interfering with oneness mentality.
It sounds like your ego is trying to communicate something, like an unhappiness or discontent with your present situation. If you're in a good spot to do so, I advise listening to what it has to say even if it is very uncomfortable and sobering and unsettling. Make a list too if it helps. I've done this and as wildly uncomfortable and downright depressing it can get, it can also offer unparalleled clarity into what needs are not being met. And we humans are no strangers to neglect.
Above all else, trust your gut. And throw away any and all parts of this advice/feedback as needed. It's the advice I wish I had when I was in a similar situation
Check out Santo Daime. When group behavior is the reference point, your conscious choice to harmonize with the group can help relieve varieties of self-centeredness including feeling entitled, lack of connection, and internal conflict. If your experience of psychedelics is only individual exploration then you have not had a chance to appreciate their full transformative potential.
There are a couple things in your post that gives me pause. It sounds like you’re having a pretty tough time with how you feel about yourself. You say you recognize that it’s probably good to have the sobering effects but are still seeking use without that constraint.
Like mentioned by someone else, it may be a good idea to look at what the trip is telling you.
You might consider that working on why it is you feel that way could be the best way to remove it from your experience.
I think it’s entirely likely to become more introspective about your behavior on a trip. You might consider what “egotistical” even means and if the traits you see in yourself are worth changing. Thinking of one’s self positively is not inherently wrong.