Leary's Eight Circuits of Consciousness

Timothy Leary theorized eight functionally distinct circuits in the nervous and neurological system. I interpret them through Robert Anton Wilson from a site sent by Magoo.

Not surprisingly, Leary was quite specific regarding which drugs (and, to be fair, other mind-altering activities) one can take to achieve consciousness of these separate "mind-circuits." Safe bet he was under the influence when he cooked up this taxonomy.

Compare this scheme with Howard Gardner's Theory of Eight Intelligences.

BIO-SURVIVAL

Basic Fear and Desire, as well as Object recognition.

Opiates give one a taste of this circuit.

EMOTIONAL

Territorialism, Aggression, Submission, and Cooperation.

Alcohol stimulates brain #2.

DEXTERITY-SYMBOLISM

Tool-making, Conceptual Thought, and Logic.

Caffeine, of course!

CULTURE

Cross-generational Transmission of Tribal and Cultural Norms.

Hormones, especially pubescent hormones, develop this brain.

NEUROSOMATIC

All-encompassing Sensory Space, Mystical experience.

Cannabis is the gateway to this circuit, as well as yoga.

NEUROELECTRIC

Meta-awareness, Trans-species Communication, preparation for meeting other Intelligent Lifeforms in the Cosmos.

Peyote, LSD, and Aleister Crowley (who is now aptly classified as a drug) will help the user communicate with aliens.

NEUROGENETIC

Collective Subconscious, preparation for Immortality.

LSD and magic mushrooms raise the neurogenetic consciousness.

NEUROATOMIC

Out-of-body Consciousness.

Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic (--not Calamine!), lifts a user out of their body.

Leary also charted eight particular interpersonal behaviors and personalities, which might relate to the second circuit of the mind.