Jerm Warfare
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Todd Hayen and Jerm Warfare with Jeremy Nell on TNT Radio, January 29, 2024
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© 2024 Todd Hayen, PhD, RP
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Dear T.H., a very deep subject! I will pull on just one of the threads of your conversation: You posed that the Body (flesh) “wins out” over Mind/Intellect with regards to regular engagement in instant gratification or satisfaction provided by the consumption of substances or repetitive activities. I disagree. I argue that it is MIND that is attracted to and captured by these things. From alcohol to fentanyl, and including cannabis — all are “psychoactive”. The the root “psyche”, in Latin means mind, soul, spirit. Not body. And in these days of reductionist Scientism, the soul and spirit stuff is also not part of the equation.
As the brilliant Gabor Mate points out, addiction begins and ends with pain. And, injury and illness aside, most pain in Western Civilization is psychological — mental/emotional. Most addictions begin as a mental/emotional desire to ‘escape’ varying degrees of poor ‘life’. Abuse is rampant. Lack or scarcity of the very mental, emotional and spiritual nutrition that is required for a human to be balanced and functional and happy. Dispossessed. Disrespected. Dissociated. Dispirited. Mind becomes a prison. Mind/mood-altering substance or activity is often the only escape that can be perceived and readily implemented. And then it becomes habitual. Then compulsive. But once true systemic addiction manifests, then the attempt to stop does bring on physical withdrawal. The body has tried so hard to adapt itself to the regular poisoning (which mind required) that there is a multitude of very unpleasant readjustments necessary. But the body's ability to heal is amazing. Alas, even when withdrawal can be endured, the same poor life (or worse) is usually still there…waiting. This is what make addiction so difficult to overcome.
I would highly recommend (to everyone) reviewing the Rat Park study from the 1970’s. Rats kept in caged isolation were offered two different supplies of water; one was just plain water, and the other was water laced with psychoactive drugs (cocaine, heroine). They imbibed the laced water repeatedly unto overdose and death. However, a rat “park” was designed to house many rats. It allowed for much room to mover around and engage in varied activities, with free social interaction. The two water choices were also offered to the Park residents. Guess what happened? The Park rats preferred plain water. Their bodies could be in accord with their mental states of health.
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/what-does-rat-park-teach-us-about-addiction
In truly natural settings, dangerous excess of any substance is either not available or is not sustainable. We civilized humans have much at our fingertips, and we are mentally and emotionally stressed; incredibly socially isolated, and largely ungratified and unfulfilled in our lives. Poor life. To feel better psychologically we ignore the repeated warning signs our bodies offer. In closing, I think the body/mind separation concept that was implemented by Abrahamic Religions conspiracies and is being continued with Technology conspiracies is evil. Why is deep feeling always referred to as being centered in the 'heart'? True access to the spiritual is through both mind and body. Best regards to all! <3