Just discovered something scientific (related to OBEs)

[Steel Hawk]

Suppression of an activated locus coeruleus has also been suggested as relevant to near death experiences;

Source: http://www.medmerits.com/index.php/article/sleep_paralysis/P5

Opioids inhibit the firing of neurons in the locus coeruleus.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locus_coeruleus

Amazing. I've noticed that if I take enough hydrocodone (an opioid) several hours before I go to sleep it will increase the likely hood of having an OBE by about 75%. I really didn't mention it much before as I know that most people here would say it's bad to take drugs, it's not the same, shortcuts aren't the way. And I agree, but don't take this substance to have OBEs, it's just a side effect.

So first hand validation from someone that has had OBEs prior to ever using any drugs legal or illegal (other than antibotics) that a substance can encourage an OBE. And the experience itself feels the same as one done via meditation. And I have science to back it up. Opioids inhibit the firing of neurons in the locus coeruleus, which in turn when suppressed has been linked to NDEs.

I have science now, you must listen to me and tell me I am right about something.

Side note: I'm not advocating the use of drugs, but that more research into the Locus coeruleus should be promising for further understanding of the OBE process.

[Lionheart]

 Hmm, I live with severe Degenerative Disc Disease and I experience Chronic Pain everyday.

Sometimes I take a Percocet or Vicodin to alleviate that pain, but I have never noticed a change in my Phase sessions or Lucid Dreams. I have been taking these pill now for about 12 years.

I don't take those pills regularly, just when the pain has become too extreme for meditation to handle, which is normally between 1-3 times a week. More so the Vicodin and in extreme cases the Percocet.

I try to Phase every day and I have a Lucid Dream almost every night. But the only difference I have noticed is my Percocet seems to knock me out for a short time sometimes when attempting to Phase, which in turn creates a failed mission. Well at least failed with the ability to recall anything that went on.

But if you believed that before you go to bed, if you drank a cup of water, while spinning around in a circle 3 times would help you have an OBE/Lucid Dream, then it would help because you believed it would.

Belief is an incredibly powerful thing!  

[Steel Hawk]

Sorry about your chronic pain, that's terrible news. I need around 40 milligrams or so for it to have an effect (about 8 standard 5/500mg hydrocodone) which by the way is way over the recommended dosages, possibly lethal as you need to make sure that you're not going 'on the nod' before sleeping. If you don't you may die from respiratory depression (stopping breathing), also you need to sleep on your side so you don't vomit and end up choking. It's close to an overdose of acetaminophen so I take N-acetyl-L-cysteine in combination. And it's not always that it works, it just really ups the chances for me to have one without wanting one.

I'm positive it's not a belief based placebo effect. I'm not sure if what I wrote above is the actual reason it works or not, it's just all I could find that might explain why.

[Lionheart]

I need around 40 milligrams or so for it to have an effect (about 8 standard 5/500mg hydrocodone) which by the way is way over the recommended dosages, possibly lethal as you need to make sure that you're not going 'on the nod' before sleeping. If you don't you may die from respiratory depression (stopping breathing), also you need to sleep on your side so you don't vomit and end up choking. It's close to an overdose of acetaminophen so I take N-acetyl-L-cysteine in combination. And it's not always that it works, it just really ups the chances for me to have one without wanting one.

Your telling me, lol. I had one night when I was staying in a Motel during a show when I awoke, with the sensation I couldn't breathe. My brain wasn't telling my lungs to pump air. This was after having 1 Vicodin earlier in the night and drinking two beers.

I told my doctor what happened and he said that's what happens in the case of a overdose. He said to be careful and that not all bodies have the same tolerance to drugs. It was weird though because this happened on the Vicodin, not the stronger Percocet.

8 pills and you would be reading my obituary for sure. I've been scared to take 2.  

[Astralzombie]

I got curious so I looked up the lethal dose of acetaminophen. A lethal dose usually occurs betwenn 40-50 thousand mg. That's over ten times the amount in 8 vicoden. Although, the lethal dose can be substantially less if you have a damaged liver. This is no get out of jail free card since that has to be way past the lethal dose of the actual pain med. Right?

I know that number seems high but I verified it from two web sources.

[Lionheart]

 Well then I really am a "light weight", lol. But I like it! 

I don't drink much either, no tolerance for that either. A beer or two a day and that's it.