A Deep Dive Into a Visualization Experiment: Synaesthesia, Dissociation, and Ego-Shifting Experiences with Lysergamides
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Preparing for the Experiment
- Setting the Scene
- The Playlist and Expectations
- The Journey Begins: Initial Effects
- Early Visual Experiences
- Dissociation and Immersive Experiences
- The Depth of the Experience
- Exploring the Mind of Others
- Emotional and Sensory Responses
- Breaking the Trance: Coming Back to Reality
- Post-Experience Reflections
- Physical and Visual Residuals
- Aftermath: Reflections and Insights
- Unexpected Ego-Shifting Experiences
- The Role of Dose and Set/Setting
- Conclusion
1. Introduction
The following is a detailed account of a personal experiment with a lysergamide at a dose of 200µg. The aim was to explore the potential of using enhanced visual phenomena and dissociation as tools for deepening meditation, ultimately discovering an unexpected psychological journey that led to profound ego-shifting experiences. The effects of the substance were far more intense than anticipated, offering insights into the intricacies of the mind, perception, and consciousness.
2. Preparing for the Experiment
Setting the Scene
At +3:30, I find myself back at my apartment. My pulse and temperature are both stable, and the initial effects of the lysergamide are starting to level off. This indicates it's time to begin the visualization experiment that I’ve been anticipating. The bedroom door is closed, and the curtains are drawn tightly, ensuring a dark environment conducive to the manifestation of closed-eye visuals (CEVs).
To optimize the experience, I’ve equipped myself with a pair of high-quality noise-cancelling headphones, along with a carefully curated 90-minute playlist. This playlist is designed with the intention of enhancing the experience and guiding the mind deeper into the altered state. My previous experience at 150µg led to some intriguing synaesthesia-like phenomena, including intricate geometric patterns that shifted and interacted with the music. The goal is to recreate and intensify this experience, allowing the visuals to serve as a tool for deep meditation.
3. The Journey Begins: Initial Effects
Early Visual Experiences
As the phosphenes begin to dance behind my closed eyelids, they quickly shift form. Instead of remaining as the expected geometric patterns, they start to coalesce into highly detailed, dreamlike images. These visuals are strikingly realistic, though slightly distorted. The experience is far more vivid than I anticipated.
Dissociation and Immersive Experiences
As I settle into the experience, something entirely unexpected begins to occur: dissociation. The dreamlike images evolve into full-fledged experiences that feel eerily like memories. My mind begins to drift, carrying me through a series of seemingly distant places, some of which are familiar, and others that are entirely unknown.
In some instances, these experiences feel like recollections of personal memories or fantasies. But in many others, I find myself occupying the minds of other people—both male and female, spanning various ages. The situations range from intimate encounters to interactions with complete strangers. These experiences, which last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, come with rich visual, aural, and tactile sensations. I even feel the emotions of the people whose minds I am inhabiting, and some of these emotional responses are overwhelmingly intense.
4. The Depth of the Experience
Exploring the Mind of Others
At the deepest levels of dissociation, I lose all sense of connection with my own body and the immediate environment. My sense of self dissolves entirely as I become immersed in the experiences of others. Some of these mental journeys take me into intimate moments, while others place me in completely unfamiliar scenarios, each presenting a unique perspective.
Emotional and Sensory Responses
The sensation of occupying someone else's mind is not merely intellectual—it is deeply sensory. I can feel their physical sensations, from touch to temperature, and even the emotional weight of their thoughts. In certain moments, I begin to hear my own internal monologue, but not as my own voice—it sounds as though someone else is narrating my thoughts. This deep level of dissociation leaves me unanchored from reality, floating in a surreal space where the boundaries of self dissolve.
5. Breaking the Trance: Coming Back to Reality
Post-Experience Reflections
By +4:45, I manage to pull myself out of the trance, returning to a more grounded state of consciousness. The room is now well-lit, and I find myself struggling to reconnect with my surroundings. My body feels heavy, and moving requires significant effort. As I try to sit at the computer to take notes, the residual effects of the visuals—now in the form of vivid and intensified open-eye visuals (OEVs)—make it difficult to focus.
I decide to take a break and drag myself to a nearby pizzeria to grab some takeout. After eating a slice of pizza and having some wine, I take a shower, and gradually, I start to feel more coherent.
Physical and Visual Residuals
By +6:00, the experience is clearly winding down. The sun is setting, and while the visual effects are still present, they have taken on a subtler form. What remains are exaggerated forms of visual snow, a mild after-effect that is easy to ignore. These residual effects last for another two hours, after which I feel completely back to my normal state of being.
6. Aftermath: Reflections and Insights
Unexpected Ego-Shifting Experiences
Looking back, I am struck by how far beyond my expectations this experience has taken me. Nothing in my prior reading or past experiences with lysergamides prepared me for the extent of dissociation and ego-shifting that I encountered, especially at the 200µg dose. While 200µg is considered a strong dose, it is not considered "epic" by most standards. The initial effects were subtle enough that I questioned whether the 1P had degraded in some way, but it became clear that the effects were just taking longer to fully manifest.
The Role of Dose and Set/Setting
Reflecting further, I wonder if the dose itself was strictly necessary. While 200µg is potent, there may be diminishing returns past 100µg. The experience, I believe, was not solely due to the larger dose but was more likely influenced by the specific set (mental state) and setting (environment) in which I conducted the experiment. The combination of a dark, quiet room, immersive music, and the intention to focus on visualization likely played a crucial role in unlocking the deeper layers of dissociation and immersion.
7. Conclusion
In conclusion, this experiment provided an unexpected and profound insight into the nature of consciousness, dissociation, and sensory perception. The experience felt close to a religious or deeply spiritual moment, where I was able to step outside of my usual ego and experience life from a variety of perspectives. This journey has opened my mind to future experiments with other substances, with the hope of replicating this intense and transformative experience.