DownThe Rabbit Hole: Alice in Wonderland Syndrome and Beyond

09/07/23 • 22 min

Take a trip down the rabbit hole with me with the curious and sometimes perplexing world of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS). Imagine lying in bed, ready to sleep, when suddenly, the room around you starts to twist and change. Everyday objects seem to warp in size, and you might even feel like your own body is transforming. We'll delve into personal accounts from individuals who've experienced AIWS, offering a glimpse into their surreal adventures.

Uncover the science behind AIWS, exploring why it happens and how it affects those who experience it. From the way AIWS distorts perception to its emotional impact, you'll gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating neurological condition.

Could Lewis Carroll, the mastermind behind Alice's adventures, have had AIWS himself? I explore this intriguing theory and uncover the evidence that suggests a connection between Carroll's own experiences and the whimsical world he created.

I also dissect some of the psychological themes hidden within the Wonderland books. From the fluidity of identity to the boundless power of imagination, discover how Lewis Carroll's tales offer insights into the human mind.

Join me for a trip behind the looking glass into the world of AIWS, Lewis Carroll, and the psychology hidden within Wonderland's pages.

Join me for a trip behind the looking glass into the world of AIWS, Lewis Carroll, and the psychology hidden within Wonderland's pages.

Previous Episode

Nightmare Realms: Sleep Paralysis, Night Hags, and Nocturnal Mysteries

The mysterious realms of sleep paralysis, explore the chilling tales of the night hag, boo hag, and other entities that have haunted cultures worldwide. But the eerie journey doesn't stop there – we'll also shed light on the phenomenon of Sudden Unexpected Nocturnal Death Syndrome that leaves us questioning the thin veil between the realms of sleep and the unknown. Get ready to unravel the secrets that lurk in the darkness of the night, as we navigate through these haunting tales that blur the line between dreams and reality.

Next Episode

Creating Consciousness: Tulpas and Slenderman

In the late 1800s, Alexandra David-Neel embarked on a remarkable quest for forbidden knowledge. From Freemasonry to Theosophy, from opera singing to anarchist pamphleteering, her life was a whirlwind of intrigue. Her fascination with the mystical and the unknown led her to Asia, where she delved into the secrets of Tibetan monks and their astonishing practice of creating tulpas—sentient thoughtforms born from the fusion of Tibetan Buddhism and ancient shamanic traditions. Alexandra created her own tulpa, a journey that blurred the lines between thought and reality. Discover how her merry monk evolved beyond her control, morphing into something sinister and disturbing.

Slenderman is a faceless entity that emerged from the depths of the internet. Explore the collaborative storytelling that breathed life into this modern urban legend and learn how the fear of the unknown and the uncanny play a pivotal role in Slenderman's psychological allure.

Dive into the psychology of collective belief and shared dread as I dissect the Slenderman phenomenon. Discover how a fictional creation can have real-world consequences and why it continues to captivate and unsettle those who encounter it in the digital labyrinth of the internet.

Don't miss this thought-provoking exploration of tulpas and Slenderman, where imagination blurs the line between fiction and reality. Tune in to "Psychology of the Strange" and prepare to unravel the shadows of the mind.

https://www.theawl.com/2014/11/all-my-friends-are-in-my-head/

http://anomalyinfo.com/Stories/1929-pre-alexandra-david-neel-and-tulpas-tibet