Most of us are high almost all day. Whether it’s sugar, caffeine or food in general, all of these substances create a positive altered state of consciousness. Basically, we have a “normal waking state” that can be measured physiologically, as in heart-rate, brain waves and brain chemistry. `Getting high’ can be boiled down to changing your physiology so that you experience a different state of awareness, usually heightened.

Consider an interesting idea: we’re supposed to get high on a regular basis. Just think, based on this definition, eating gets you high. But there’s a cost associated. When we eat, we create change in the body as it responds to that food. This change stresses the body and slightly damages it. That’s how we age - wear and tear is the result of using our bodies and, well, living.

While this may come as bad news for some, it also means that we have a certain level of control in aging. We can prolong our lives by choosing less damaging alternatives! In addition, because our bodies are smart organisms, we naturally create a resistance after first exposure. We need more of the same thing to get the same effect. Here lies the rub of addiction. Enter: balance and variety!

To help you fulfill your natural instincts to alter your state of mind, here is a list of 20 ways to naturally get high: Read the rest of this entry »