TRADING, PSYCHEDELICS and financial astrology

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Emotions originate from the subconscious part of our brain and are vital for our survival. Fear, for instance, serves as a warning signal of imminent danger. When faced with a threat, we instinctively either confront it or flee—fight or flight. 

However, the subconscious cannot discern between real and imagined threats; it relies on our conscious mind for guidance. In trading, if we fixate on our current profit and loss while in a losing trade, fear of losing money may arise, triggering the fight or flight response, often a reaction that we cannot control or understand. 

Opting to "fight" can lead us to hold onto losing trades longer than prudent, hoping for a reversal that may never come, resulting in larger losses. Conversely, giving in to the flight response prompts us to exit trades prematurely.  When overwhelmed by emotions, rational thought becomes elusive, leading to tunnel vision and impulsive trading decisions that sabotage our success.

Often these respsonses are connected to childhood or later-life events that we may not even realise are buried in our subconscious. I  have had several clients that have uncovered childhood stories connected to money and loss that they had not connected in decades of trading (using astrology).  As non specific examples - they were determined to show their worth to their father via monetary success, take back the finances stripped away from them in childhood from trading,  or ride the rollercoaster of wins and losses the same way they rid the rollercoaster of an unpredictable narcissistic parent.  Heavy stuff.  

Until these subconscious thoughts and memories are processed - the brain will still subconsciously connect trading and money to these painful memories. The brain can use losses like meeting up with an old friend and repeat the mistakes from familiarity. 

Psychedelic exploration (particularaly therapist -led) can actually show us the patterns and how they relate to the stock market and release us from the pain from understanding the connection - a bit like a light bulb going off.  My experience is most therapists would take 5 years to uncover this and probably still never be able to (especially in an hour) it as the subconscious is not accessing the right neural layer in standard talk therapy.  

Clinical study findings demonstrate that using psychedelic drugs with therapeutic intent is associated with lower levels of complex trauma symptoms and internalized shame in individuals with histories of childhood maltreatment.  Losses and poor trading decision in the stockmarket can be  like taking an express train vehicle to the path of subconscious shame buried in our emotions. 

How may times have you mentally punished yourself for selling too early, not selling at the highs or taking a 5 figure loss from not using a stop loss - or even if you took a profit?

What if that monetary  loss came from a large money source such as divorce or inheritance from a loved one? Then there is a high chance you will be processing guilt and shame at the same time - and there are likely going to be many other layers to these stories we are not consciously aware of that are influencing our trading patterns. 

It may be these other layers are actually more important to the perceived story that the story itself. I have often referred magic mushrooms like peeling an onion to work out exactly what is bothering me.  Usually the issue I thought the most pressing doesn't even come up and I was harbouring something else altogether ...

In  trading, the brain is key for making logical decisions, but emotions are equally crucial. They have the power to sway our decisions, for better or worse, profoundly affecting our success as traders. Positive emotions like confidence and excitement can drive us to take risks and make bold moves. Conversely, negative emotions such as fear and frustration can cloud our judgment, leading to poor decisions.

To trade successfully strategies to manage stress, fostering a positive outlook, and steering clear of impulsive decisions driven by emotions are vital.

Recognising the emotional pattern dynamics tied to trading, often buried and trapped in the subconscious can unlock years of painful associates connected to trading such as grief, shame, loss and putting ourselves down from losing trades - which are a normal part of stock market activity, yet we can wear the scars for years when not managed with discipline and with emotions. 

Unless you undertake the use of a trading performance coach or psycologist or hypnotherapy (which is excellent I used a trading hypnotherapist and have not traded futures in 10 years as it is my downfall) if you are repeating negative behaviour patterns in the markets - you are unlikely going to enjoy trading or find it stress-free long term. 

 One needs to ask themselves - why am I doing something I dont enjoy when it comes to the markets?  Lets face it is is a love hate relationship that is not that easy to get out of once you are in for both the good and bad it provides.   Once you get your head around it it is more positive than negative - but you will need the hero's journey shown above on the way ... unless you enter and leave at the right time and have some beginners or blind luck. 

The best aim of the markets, I feel - is to get yourself to a place where the markets are not stressful.  For me astrology does that, but I personally needed something else for my own personal life.  Then when it came together was like magic using psychedelic therapy - because I connected several  stories to my stock market journey that I never even realise were interwoven into my trading.

Microdosing can help with the daily emotional part such as stress, happiness, depression (or not) and a general positive farme of mind and larger psychedelic journeys can help us process the stories that are trapped in the subconscious where we create self-sabotage.  Choices and safety for example are the 2 big themes that always come up for me in a larger dose journey - so everything I do I do a "safety check" even in trading ....assessing how the unassured outcome will make me feel before pressing the button. 

Now I make much better choices in every aspect of life since using psychedelic therapy - you would be surprised once you have better and healtheir friendships, relationships and habits your profits become a lot larger and the losses less frequent.  Your actual trading may slow down a bit too as a consequence depending on your story but you will be much surer of the trades you do make.

Our brains possess an incredible ability to adapt and evolve over time. This phenomenon, known as neuroplasticity, allows us to learn new skills, develop fresh habits, and refine decision-making not only in trading, but also in various other aspects of life.

By engaging in deliberate practice and maintaining focused attention, traders can strengthen the neural connections involved in decision-making and risk assessment. This results in more effective decision-making, improved risk management, and greater success in trading.

Traders face the challenge of processing vast amounts of information, analyzing market trends, and making rapid decisions based on a range of cognitive processes. Additionally, one needs to master the art of emotional regulation and harness the power of neuroplasticity to continuously enhance their decision-making abilities and trading skills.  

Understanding the intricate workings of the brain in the context of trading enables traders to develop the skills and strategies necessary to excel in this complex and demanding field.

Microdosing involves taking small, sub-perceptual doses of psychedelic substances like LSD or psilocybin mushrooms. Advocates claim that microdosing can enhance mood, creativity, and productivity while minimizing the risk of hallucinations or other adverse effects associated with larger doses.

While research on microdosing is still in its early stages, some studies suggest that it may indeed have potential benefits. One area of interest is its potential impact on neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. Some researchers theorize that microdosing psychedelics could promote neuroplasticity by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are involved in mood regulation and cognitive function.

A microdose is a very small, sub-perceptual amount of a psychedelic substance, typically around one-tenth to one-twentieth of a typical recreational dose. It is usually taken to achieve subtle effects such as enhanced mood, creativity, or focus, without experiencing full-blown psychedelic effects like hallucinations. Microdosing is often done on a regular schedule, such as every few days or once a week, and is believed by some to have therapeutic or cognitive-enhancing benefits.

It is said by Andrew Hubermann (quoted from his sources) 3x  psychedelic journeys can permanently alter our neuroplasticity and create new neural connections in place of those pre existing.  

However, the use of microdosing can also help us achieve neuroplasticity without having to go through the "psychedelic experience" to alter neural pathways in our brain for positive emotional states - which thus in effect will help our trading as it is not advantageous to trade when the brain is processing negative emotions. 

Microdosing can replace antideprssants and other SSRI's or brain altering chemicals - however you must taper off medication and only do so under doctor guidance as it can be quote dangerous withdrawing.  Don't go off meds for psychedelics without proper assistance.... Vital !

If you even just skip to numbers 1-11 or even just look at the picture you may see an uncanny resemblance to the heroes journey and the stock market journey. This template also serves as a model in psychedelic studies of what a psychedelic journey can look like. 

The Hero's Journey, also known as the monomyth, is a narrative framework outlined by Joseph Campbell in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." It describes a common pattern found in many myths, legends, and stories from around the world. The Hero's Journey typically embarks on an adventure, facing challenges and trials, undergoing personal growth and transformation, and ultimately returns home or achieves some form of resolution.

The journey is often divided into several stages, including:

1. The Call to Adventure: The hero receives a call to action or is presented with a challenge that sets them on their journey.
2. Refusal of the Call: The hero may initially resist or refuse the call, often due to fear or a sense of inadequacy.
3. Meeting the Mentor: The hero encounters a mentor or guide who provides wisdom, guidance, or assistance.
4. Crossing the Threshold: The hero leaves their familiar world behind and enters the unknown, embarking on their adventure.
5. Tests, Allies, and Enemies: Along the journey, the hero faces trials, meets allies, and confronts adversaries that test their skills and resolve.
6. Approach to the Inmost Cave: The hero approaches a central challenge or ordeal, often symbolizing their deepest fears or inner conflicts.
7. The Ordeal: The hero faces their greatest trial, undergoing a significant transformation or revelation.
8. The Reward: After overcoming the ordeal, the hero receives a reward, such as newfound knowledge, power, or treasure.
9. The Road Back: The hero begins the journey back to their ordinary world, facing final challenges or obstacles.
10. The Resurrection: The hero faces one last, often life-threatening challenge, symbolizing their final test of character.
11. Return with the Elixir: The hero returns home or to their ordinary world, bringing with them the knowledge, wisdom, or boon gained from their journey, which may benefit their community or society.

Image - Life Magazine, 1957 - Gordon Wasson (Seeking the Magic Mushroom)

Gordon Wasson was an American mycologist, Vice Presiden of JP Morgan banker, and amateur mycologist who became well-known for his research into the ritual use of psychoactive mushrooms by indigenous Mesoamerican cultures. 

He played a significant role in popularizing the use of psychedelic mushrooms in Western culture. In 1957, Wasson and his wife, Valentina Pavlovna Wasson, participated in a Mazatec mushroom ceremony in Mexico, during which they ingested psilocybin-containing mushrooms. This experience led to the publication of an article in Life magazine titled "Seeking the Magic Mushroom," which introduced psychedelic mushrooms to a wide audience and sparked interest in their potential therapeutic and spiritual uses. Wasson's research and writings helped lay the foundation for further scientific exploration of psychedelics and their effects on consciousness and psychology.

It is said Gordon Wasson introduced Timothy Leary to magic mushrooms. While Wasson focused on the cultural and historical aspects of psychedelics, Leary emphasized their potential for personal and social transformation. Despite their different approaches, both Wasson and Leary played significant roles in shaping the way psychedelics are perceived and studied in Western culture.

Following his retirement from banking, Wasson dedicated himself tirelessly to promoting magic mushrooms. He proposed the concept of a global, ancient mushroom cult, although this idea failed to gain widespread acceptance among historians and anthropologists. Additionally, Wasson developed a preference for the term "entheogenic" over "hallucinogenic." An entheogen, sharing the same Greek root as "enthusiasm," is a substance believed to induce a sense of divine presence or connection to the divine. This concept culturally links to "inspiration," which originally referred to divine guidance in English.

Wasson traveled the world in search of evidence of the “divine mushroom.” 

The Wall Street Journal reported that billionaire Elon Musk uses small doses of the psychedelic drug ketamine to treat depression and occasionally takes full doses at parties, citing individuals who have witnessed his ketamine use and others with direct knowledge.

According to the article, Musk has mentioned to friends that he "microdoses" ketamine, taking small amounts to help manage depression. Additionally, in a Twitter conversation about depression treatment, the SpaceX entrepreneur discussed the benefits of ketamine, citing examples from his friends' experiences.

Musk expressed concerns about overdiagnosis of depression in the US and suggested that for some people, depression may be a brain chemistry issue. He criticized the excessive use of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and suggested that, based on what he's observed with his friends, occasional ketamine use may be a preferable option.

Musk is reportedly one of several executives in Silicon Valley to try his hand at psychedelics.  One of the cofounders of Google, has taken psilocybin mushrooms  citing people familiar with his use of the drug.  It is said that he attended a party in Los Angeles last summer where guests openly consumed psychedelic mushrooms, and peers have said he has a general interest in psychedelic drugs. 

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was rumored to have experimented with psychedelics and reportedly jokingly suggested that his rival, Bill Gates, should try LSD to spur creativity. Steve Jobs described LSD as “one of the most important things in my life"

 Joe Rogan, host of a highly popular podcast, is known for advocating micro-dosing mushrooms and has featured guests on his show who have shared positive experiences and insights from their own micro-dosing experiences, spanning from scientists to MMA fighters.

For years, it has been widely known within Silicon Valley that tech professionals, including billionaires, often engage in microdosing psychedelic substances such as LSD or psilocybin to enhance creativity and maintain focus and have a competitive advantage.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/silicon-valley-microdosing-ketamine-lsd-magic-mushrooms-d381e214