Auditory distortion
An auditory distortion is the experience of perceived alterations in how audible noises present and structure themselves. They are most commonly induced under the influence of hallucinogenic compounds.
An auditory distortion is the experience of perceived alterations in how audible noises present and structure themselves.1234
These distortions can manifest in many styles, but commonly take the form of echoes or murmurs arise from sounds and are accompanied by fluctuating changes in speed and pitch.456 This can intensify to the point where sounds are consistently followed by continuous reverberation,7 often rendering the original sound completely unrecognizable. However, it often quickly resets to base level and starts over if the source of noise is stopped or changed.
The experience of this effect can be broken down into three distinct levels of intensity. These are described and documented below:
- Mild - At the lowest level of intensity, auditory distortions consist of subtle and spontaneous reverberations, echoes, and changes in the pitch of noises within the external environment. They are fleeting, low in intensity, and easy to ignore.
- Distinct - At this level, auditory distortions consist of more noticeable and spontaneous echo effects alongside changes in pitch attributed to noises within the external environment. They are longer, more drawn out and loud enough that they become increasingly difficult to ignore.
- All-encompassing - At the highest level, auditory distortions become constant and impossible to ignore. The complexity of the resulting alterations quickly renders the original sound as unintelligible.
Auditory distortions are often accompanied by other coinciding effects, such as auditory hallucinations,681 auditory suppression, and auditory enhancement.24 They are most commonly induced under the influence of moderate dosages of psychedelic compounds,101112 such as LSD, 5-MeO-DiPT, and DMT. However, they can also occur less commonly under the influence of dissociatives, such as ketamine,1314 PCP, and nitrous.45
Replications
Audio Replications
This is a replication of auditory distortions that commonly occur under the influence of high dosages of psychedelic compounds. This clip contains a recording from a nonsensical math lecture with included distortions, such as echoing, background humming, and changes of pitch.
Rights remain with the creator or rightsholder.
This is a replication of auditory distortions that commonly occur under the influence of high dosages of psychedelic compounds. This clip contains recordings from a forest setting with included distortions, such as echoing, background humming, and changes in pitch.
Rights remain with the creator or rightsholder.
Displayed with permission; reuse still depends on the creator or rightsholder.
