# Does anyone have any advice on how to not think about a thing? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 4, 2019, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001 "2019-11-04T21:17:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/21 "2019-11-05T13:37:06Z")
Propofol. Essence of gelfling is good, too. But it’s getting hard to find. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2019, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/22 "2019-11-05T14:04:06Z")
Smash one of your hands with a ball peen hammer. I guarantee you won’t be able to think about anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/23 "2019-11-05T15:58:14Z")
Overload your thinking process with an “earworm”-Music tends to push out almost all other thought. ---
**Author:** ![Pabitel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbce88/32.png) [@Pabitel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pabitel)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/24 "2019-11-06T15:11:33Z")
Did you lose [The Game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Game_(mind_game))? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/25 "2019-11-06T15:27:56Z")
My mother was supposed to have an MRI or a CT scan (can’t remember which) and was really nervous. The valium they gave her helped only so much, so they had my father sit in the room holding her hand the entire time. Apparently that was enough for her to get through it. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/26 "2019-11-06T17:09:44Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Overload your thinking process with an “earworm”-Music tends to push out almost all other thought. I suggest one-eight-seven-seven-kars-4-kids ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/27 "2019-11-06T17:27:37Z")
The problem with music in the MRI tube-thingy it how loud it is. I wore the stupid headphones just to try and cancel out the noise. Didn’t work much. Girl, you gotta get the Valium. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/28 "2019-11-06T17:32:34Z")
Yeah, music= no. Just take the xanax, make sure your earplugs are inserted correctly _before_ the alien opera begins and just close your eyes and think of the inevitable intergalactic overlord takeover. All that noise is actually the discussion of what to do with all us puny hoomans once the Earth is theirs. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/29 "2019-11-06T17:37:11Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My mother was supposed to have an MRI or a CT scan (can’t remember which) and was really nervous. The valium they gave her helped only so much, so they had my father sit in the room holding her hand the entire time. Apparently that was enough for her to get through it. It must have been an MRI. CT scans are typically short, quiet and nowhere near as claustrophobia-inducing. Ive had several of each. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/30 "2019-11-06T18:14:37Z")
I was fascinated by all the people recommending Valium in this thread. Did some Googling, and apparently Valium is prescribed with the specific intent of treating anxiety? Which is crazy, because the one time I took Valium, it induced anxiety in me. So if you’ve never had Valium before, be aware that precisely what you \*don’t \*want is a possible side effect. Although I wonder if this would even be an option. Not sure what you’re getting the MRI for, but if they’re trying to take a look at your brain, you might not be allowed to take medications that would alter the behavior of your brain. Also, please don’t feel pressured to share any more of your medical details than you want to, but if you share the reason you need the head MRI, maybe someone reading this will know if there’s some other option for you besides getting the MRI done that you could try first. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/31 "2019-11-06T18:15:15Z")
I have convinced myself that I’m not getting it done. It’s not even scheduled. Who knows, maybe I’ll die during the surgery I’m getting in December. Do not try to convince me I need it. I do not need two or three months of the creeping terror every time I’m not actually engaging my mind or the stupid panic attacks that get me when I’m trying to fall asleep. Not scheduled. Not happening. No need to stress over it. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/32 "2019-11-06T18:19:14Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#): > > I was fascinated by all the people recommending Valium in this thread. Did some Googling, and apparently Valium is prescribed with the specific intent of treating anxiety? Which is crazy, because the one time I took Valium, it induced anxiety in me. So if you’ve never had Valium before, be aware that precisely what you \*don’t \*want is a possible side effect. > > Although I wonder if this would even be an option. Not sure what you’re getting the MRI for, but if they’re trying to take a look at your brain, you might not be allowed to take medications that would alter the behavior of your brain. > > Also, please don’t feel pressured to share any more of your medical details than you want to, but if you share the reason you need the head MRI, maybe someone reading this will know if there’s some other option for you besides getting the MRI done that you could try first. Yeah im not sure about head-specific mris but i know that _xanax_ has been offered to me several times as a pre-test calming agent. Never valium. Ive never taken the xanax either tho, not needed. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/33 "2019-11-06T18:34:43Z")
I have taken both xanax and valium before detailed brain scans. I’ve been thinking about how I get through these. First rule: no opening my eyes. Nope, not even to peek. No opening my eyes until it’s over. If I can’t see the tube, it helps. Second rule: I break the time into chunks. If they let you listen to music, it helps, but you can do it other ways too. If one part of the test lasts 3 songs (10 minutes-ish), then I know I can sit through 3 songs. I have mental exercises I try. For example, I used to think about my house. I’d see myself walking through each room and try to focus on listing the main furniture in each room. Third option, I try math or counting exercises. They don’t need to be complicated, just hard enough to get your brain switched over to that. As far as not thinking about the (not) appointment in advance, I think you’ve got a strategy that works. You can tinker with it. Now - the appointment isn’t even scheduled. Dec - it’s not happening until next year. The week before - it’s not happening until next week. Just keep pushing off thinking about it. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/34 "2019-11-06T18:46:35Z")
NOT thinking about something is really not possible. You cannot do that; your brain always wants to think about something, and you can’t simply try to empty it of something. You’ll end up like Ray Stantz, accidentally summoning a giant marshmallow man to destroy the city. The only way to get the MRI out of the forefront of your brain is to push it out by putting something else in there. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/35 "2019-11-06T18:56:15Z")
Ask the doctor to give a higher dosage of Xanax; explain to him the minimum dosage he gave last time was inadequate. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/36 "2019-11-06T19:30:04Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > NOT thinking about something is really not possible. You cannot do that; your brain always wants to think about something, and you can’t simply try to empty it of something. Yes, absolutely. I’m lucky because I can play chess in my head. I’ve used that to get through a couple of MRIs (both lasting over 20 minutes.) ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/37 "2019-11-06T21:59:00Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Don’t know if this is of any help, but when I was having cavities drilled by the dentist (who often did NOT use any anesthesia,) I made myself ignore the pain by doing quick math problems. “Hurry, **Velocity** , what’s 56 times 7?” It wasn’t of much help, but was the only thing I could think of. Maybe ponder some important problem or question (unrelated to medicine or anything, maybe something philosophical) and dwell on that while you are in the tube. That’s pretty much my technique for dental visits, but usually go a little beyond that, such as mentally deriving the quadratic formula. 😃 Another thing I do is the alphabet game. Pick a broad category like say birds or fruit, and then try consecutively to think of a thing of that category that matches each letter of the alphabet consecutively, Apple, Banana, Cantaloupe, um… Durian, etc. if you get stuck skip it and go on to the next letter, then come back later. If you have done all the letters you can pick another category. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/38 "2019-11-07T02:27:54Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Xanax is worthless. People are different. Frankly, I’m scared of xanax, as it knocks me on my ass. I took it for a few days in 2003 when I was going through some weird panic attack issues and, never again. That shit is just too powerful for me. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/39 "2019-11-07T09:10:02Z")
I made it through US Army basic training by meditating on the tarot, major arcana. I made it through countless dentists, MRIs, and other intimidating experiences by closing my eyes and composing songs. Werewolf songs help. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001/40 "2019-11-07T16:18:36Z")
Head MRI was actually not too bad, because they really only put your head and a wee bit of your body in it. I had a facecloth over the thing they put over your head and I just kept repeating “Nope, not even a peek!”. I did have a Xanax, but it was quick and not too bad. Now, my LIVER MRI was bad - your whole body goes in, and it takes a while, and they have to inject you with dye partway through. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-have-any-advice-on-how-to-not-think-about-a-thing/843001.md?page=3)