Tripping with ping-pong balls?

NEW YORK - Looking for a quick hallucinatory trip? These tricks are safe, done without drugs and can be done almost anywhere.

A short story and accompanying graphic in the Ideas sections of Boston.com lists a few trips that you can try:

* The Ganzeld Procedure involves static noise and ping-pongs.

* Incredible Shrinking Pain asks you to look though inverted binoculars.

* The Rubber Hand Illusion will leave you disconnected to your own hand.

* The Pinocchio Illusion involves tickling your nose and a friend's while blindfolded.

* Purkinje Lights has you staring at a bright light with your eyes closed. Scientists have created special goggles for this trip.

Each trick is used to show that the mind is not as connected to the physical world as we think it is. On Boston.com Johan Lehrer writes "The first thing to know is that the mind isn't a mirror, or even a passive observer of reality. Much of what we think of as being out there actually comes from in here, and is a byproduct of how the brain processes sensation."

Some people may already be experienced with hallucinations, so these tricks may not be enough to get one going. One commenter, idreamwideyedidreamwideyed , on Digg wrote:

"as an experienced psychonaut, unless i get to see machine elves, its not worth my time. also, if you want a real hallucinogenic experience without the use of drugs, try a sensory deprivation tank ... it will blow your .... mind."