Imagine that you are offered a choice: to be left alone with your thoughts for 15 minutes or to be electrocuted several times during this time. What would you choose?

At first glance, the answer is obvious - pain seems like a much worse alternative. But a study published in the journal Science in 2014 shows that for many people, the silence of their own thoughts may be even worse. In this experiment, a quarter of women and two-thirds of men chose electroshock over sitting quietly with their thoughts. One of the participants even shocked himself 190 times in those 15 minutes.

These striking results confirm a simple but disturbing truth: most people don't know how to be alone with their inner world effectively. And while this may seem like a small thing, the problem is actually deeper than that. It is directly related to our mental health and how we cope with life's challenges.

Why do thoughts become the "enemy"?

Our brain is a powerful mechanism that constantly analyzes, plans, and reacts. But sometimes it becomes overactive, overwhelmed by dense, chaotic thoughts. These can be worries about the past, fears about the future, or just anxiety for no apparent reason.

In a situation where these thoughts become an overwhelming wave, a person may feel helpless. There are no instructions on how to cope with this. That is why many people prefer to fill every minute of their lives with activity, even if it is negative, just to avoid facing themselves.

Is it possible to solve this on your own?

Popular advice such as "just relax" or "don't think about the bad things" doesn't work. Overcoming difficult emotions or anxieties on your own is certainly a possible path, but it requires time, knowledge, and discipline. And even then, there is no guarantee that a person will be able to solve the underlying problems that are hidden behind superficial thoughts.

This is similar to trying to treat a complex physical injury on your own without experience and knowledge. The symptoms may disappear for a while, but without professional help, there is a risk of complications.

How does psychotherapy help?

Psychotherapy is not just a way to "talk it out". It is a professional approach that helps you understand where your thoughts come from, why they become so intense, and how to organize them.

Here are some key benefits of working with a psychotherapist:

1. Deep understanding of yourself. Many thoughts that frighten or disturb us have subconscious causes. A therapist helps you find these reasons and understand how they affect your life.
2. Tools for managing emotions. You will learn techniques to help you cope with anxiety, stress, or panic attacks.
3. Safety. Unlike talking to friends or family, therapy sessions are a non-judgmental space where you can be yourself.
4. Long-term results. Working with a therapist helps you not only solve current problems, but also develop skills that will make you more resilient in the future.

What prevents you from seeing a psychotherapist?

Despite all the benefits, many people avoid therapy because of fear, prejudice, or stigma. The following arguments are often heard:

• "I have no serious problems."
• "It's expensive."
• "I can handle it myself."
• "What will others think of me?"

But it's important to understand that going to a psychotherapist is not a sign of weakness, but rather of strength. It is a crucial step towards improving your life.

Why is it important now?

We live in a world where information overload, stress, and social expectations are becoming the norm. In such conditions, it is important not only to take care of physical health, but also to pay attention to mental well-being.

If we don't learn to work effectively with our thoughts, it can lead to serious consequences: chronic anxiety, depression, emotional burnout, or even physical illness.

The research described at the beginning of this article demonstrates how difficult it is for us to just be ourselves. But this is not a sentence. We can learn to be in harmony with our thoughts, and psychotherapy is one of the most effective ways to achieve this.

And the most effective is psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, where it becomes possible to get to the deepest mechanisms of the subconscious mind-the very ones that cause mental disorders.

Take the first step towards improving your life. Take time for yourself, try to understand your feelings, and don't be afraid to ask for help. A therapist is not a "savior" but your partner on the path to inner freedom.

The famous poet John Milton writes in his book Paradise Lost: "The mind is the master of its place, and in it alone / It can make heaven out of hell and hell out of heaven."

Remember: the best investment is an investment in your health, and mental health is no exception. Make a choice in favor of yourself - contact the qualified specialists of the Expio Center!