Sab Xew - Psychedelics to Resist Affective Capitalism & Queer the notion of the Individual

Affective capitalism serves as a socioeconomic structure that enforces profit maximization on individual bodies by creating a cycle of anxiety, self-critique, and competitive stress. The system relies on these internally policed emotional states to maintain stability, effectively turning the individual mind and body into a primary site for capital preservation. This framework thrives by framing systemic issues as personal defects or cognitive imbalances, which prevents effective critique of the underlying structures. Psychedelic-induced states can potentially hack this capitalist affect by triggering ego dissolution and a feeling of connectedness. These shifts foster a sense of being part of a larger whole, which directly challenges the individualistic narrative that sustains profit-driven control. By moving beyond a singular identity, these experiences allow for the development of collective consciousness and a more compassionate, interconnected perspective, which helps break the persistent cycle of individualistic anxiety.