Critical listening and altered states

Acoustics? That absolutely makes no sense in the context of this conversation, although being chained to a chair in anechoic  chamber while being forced to listen to the entire Ring cycle would likely lead to either a transcendent experience or a sore butt. "Ludes and Jack Daniels" is hilarious, and injects a needed dose (!) of gonzo into this conversation. As a professional musician for many decades I can attest to the sort of trance-like state you can get into especially during soloing, but I can also attest to playing a well known piece of music live and thinking about laundry or my cousin Shirley even though I don't have a cousin Shirley.  I smoke pot while listening just to change up my biological input, but I've certainly had countless wonderful music moments without it. An attentive crowd can really get your blood pumping...highly recommended. 

I hadn't joined AG when this thread was started, or I would have contributed then.

To address the OP's issue, I have not used substances for critical listening, although I enjoy their ASCs for pleasure listening.  One issue for critical listening, e.g., when comparing components, is that an ASC might interfere with the short-term memory needed to recall what one has heard.  Auditory short-term memory is thought to be fragile under normal circumstances, and I think it is worsened by substance-induced ASCs.

....when the 'Gon posts 'go oblique' is where truth in audio tastes reside... ;)

Personally, I apply both states at leisure* and compare notes.
* hear = always of late getting shorter, now and in the long run, which shortens every damn day...😒 ;)

Anyway, thc, and it's current variations on the theme are most likely roundabout here...drinking only when the desire to short oneself to 'ground' seems to be a vaguely illogical Rx.  

Been known to 'mix my media' audially and chemotherapaticly....BUT

'ludes & Jack.....
Nutz...back in SF some decadents' ago, I saw a young fem in her car plated
ROHR454
"High🤷‍♂️Bust me..." 🙄😏 
Takes a lot of all kinds to stuff the aquarium, yes....

Lucy S. Diamonds eventually made everything seem to be made out of polyethylene, and rushing around had enough complexity going...post of that, yeah...  Waiting for the echos in one's gray mush to settle...*L*

Current interest re that is use for the Full STOP at the end of this physical endeavour....ego death prior to main event...
Ultimately...appreciate y'all, but at the end of The Day

;) But........a late & fitting 'bro valentine carol to y'all

Have a great weekend....J

One issue for critical listening, e.g., when comparing components, is that an ASC might interfere with the short-term memory needed to recall what one has heard. 

Good point. I'm talking about relatively small amounts. Have you heard the expression, "You're overthinking it"? I believe that an ASC might help shift of focus toward new foci for attention that are currently overshadowed by an overemphasis on something else. Sometimes I'll focus on instrument placement, and a friend will say, "try to zoom out and hear the grouping," or stuff like that. This is what an ASC can do – and note-taking helps with the memory piece. 

Beers,Pot,thc,Mushrooms, will modify your interpretation of music perception , not the objective quality of sound perception. only acoustics can do this.

You are in direct contact with non-interpreted reality. You can hear sounds objectively and then interpret them. That's not how my brain/mind work. I guess we're built differently. Everything I hear is interpreted. The question (for me not you) is how to make sure my interpretations are not stuck in a rut.

I bet you didn’t think your thread would be coming back to life four years later.

There are a lot of things I thought were gone for good from four years ago. I have some hope for this thread, though.

@hilde45 ...."There's life in that old post yet..." 👍😎🎶

@mahgister ....sounds like my 'reality', whatever it is...not much on candles 'n such.....*G*