A Descent Into Overwhelming Psychedelic Intensity: A Personal Account of a High-Dose Phenethylamine Experience

Table of Contents


  1. Introduction
  2. The Context of the Experience
  3. Timeline of Events
    • Ingestion
    • Onset
    • Peak
    • Offset
    • Afterglow
  4. The Dosage and Substances Used
  5. The Onset of Effects
  6. The Peak Experience
  7. The Aftermath and Reflection
  8. Conclusion



1. Introduction


This article recounts an intense personal experience with a high dose of a phenethylamine, specifically after consuming a combined dose of THC and Xanax. The experience was both mentally and physically overwhelming, lasting several hours with profound effects on perception, cognition, and emotions. The individual involved had a history with intense substances, including a prior experience with DOC (another long-lasting phenethylamine), and felt confident in their ability to handle the intensity. However, this dose, estimated at around 40mg of the phenethylamine, exceeded expectations in terms of both physical and hallucinatory effects.



2. The Context of the Experience


The subject, a male weighing 80 kg (176 lbs) and measuring 178 cm (5′10"), had been eagerly anticipating the experience. This followed a summer of "cosmic fuckery" and a prior high-dose experience with DOC, a psychedelic with a similarly long duration and intense effect. The individual had used phenethylamines in the past, but the intensity of this specific experience was unprecedented.


Prior to the experience, the subject had prepared to take the substance while in class, intending to experience the peak effects after class ended. The timeline and experience were recorded as a detailed journey, with effects beginning immediately after ingestion and escalating rapidly within a few hours.



3. Timeline of Events


Ingestion (12:30 PM)


The individual ingested the substance at 12:30 PM, initially planning for a dose of 30mg, which was carefully weighed out using a scale. However, they decided to add an additional 5mg by eyeballing some HCl from another capsule, bringing the estimated dose closer to 40mg. This decision was later regretted, as the experience proved to be overwhelmingly intense.


Onset (12:30 PM - 2:30 PM)


The first noticeable effects began around 12:30 PM. At this stage, the individual was experiencing discomfort, notably stomach cramping, possibly due to having not eaten that day. The initial effects were mild, with increasing unease and discomfort, but not full-blown psychedelic effects. There was no violent nausea or intense physical pain, but the individual did report a general sense of uneasiness.


Around 1:20 PM, the subject decided to leave class and walk home, where the experience began to intensify. On the walk, they experienced subtle visual changes, including the perception of geometric patterns and enhanced colors. These effects grew stronger as they returned to their apartment.


Peak (2:00 PM - 2:30 PM)


By 2:00 PM, the intensity of the experience escalated dramatically. The walls of the individual’s apartment began to appear to move counterclockwise, while the bezels of their monitors oozed liquid and spilled onto the desk. Visual distortions became more pronounced, with colors and patterns rapidly changing and expanding across the environment. A deep physical tension overtook the body, and the individual experienced difficulty standing, as their legs felt disjointed and unresponsive.


As the peak began to hit, the individual's perception of their surroundings became more chaotic. They noted a profound disconnection from their body and an altered sense of gravity. Their surroundings seemed to collapse and expand in on themselves, creating a sensory overload. Geometric shapes dominated the environment, with objects, textures, and spaces appearing to reorganize into constantly shifting circular patterns.


The subject was unable to make sense of what they were experiencing, as everything seemed to explode into an overwhelming sensory storm. The visuals were accompanied by an eerie silence, as though the world had suddenly lost its natural rhythm. The experience became increasingly bizarre, with the world breaking down into an abstract sea of ever-changing geometric formations.


Offset (2:00 PM - 7:30 PM)


As the peak effects began to subside, the intensity gradually lessened, though the sense of being overwhelmed remained. The individual struggled to comprehend the chaotic visual and sensory inputs, which continued to invade their field of vision. Though the trip had begun to offset, the subject was still experiencing intense distortions and a deep feeling of alienation from their environment.


The offset stage lasted several hours, with the subject slowly regaining some sense of control, but the effects lingered well into the evening. This phase was marked by a sense of profound disorientation and lingering unease, though the severity of the hallucinations had diminished.


Afterglow (10 Hours)


The afterglow phase of the experience lasted for about 10 hours. During this period, the individual felt the lingering effects of the substance, though they were not as intense as during the peak. This phase was characterized by a sense of mental fog, confusion, and disconnection from reality. The individual experienced some residual effects on their perception, but these were not nearly as overwhelming as the earlier stages.



4. The Dosage and Substances Used


The primary substances involved in this experience were:


  • Phenethylamine: The subject ingested a dose that was likely between 40mg and 45mg, a higher dose than initially intended. This substance is known for its intense effects on both the body and mind, particularly when taken in high doses.
  • THC: A small amount of THC (from the Blue Dream strain) was consumed through smoking, which likely contributed to the visual and sensory enhancements during the onset and peak phases of the experience.
  • Xanax: A 5mg dose of Xanax was taken, which may have influenced the experience's emotional and mental impact, particularly during the offset phase.



5. The Onset of Effects


At the onset, the subject experienced a gradual build-up of discomfort, including stomach cramping, which led them to leave class and walk home. The initial visual distortions began subtly, with enhanced colors and geometric patterns. These effects grew in intensity as the individual continued their journey, culminating in a significant escalation of sensory experiences once they reached their apartment.


The delayed onset and gradual progression of effects helped the individual recognize the power of the substance they had consumed, and they began to mentally prepare for the peak of the experience.



6. The Peak Experience


The peak of the experience was marked by profound sensory distortion, with the environment shifting into a surreal and incomprehensible state. The individual was no longer able to rely on conventional senses, as the world around them seemed to disintegrate into constantly shifting geometric shapes. Sounds became distorted, and visual patterns overlapped, creating a sense of overwhelming chaos.


The subject experienced profound physical tension and difficulty moving, which contributed to their sense of losing control over their environment. As they moved through their apartment, the walls appeared to shift, and the outside world seemed to dissolve into a sea of impossible geometric patterns.



7. The Aftermath and Reflection


After the peak, the experience began to mellow, though the effects remained for several hours. The individual reflected on their experience, acknowledging that they had overdosed by consuming a dose higher than they had originally intended. The experience was characterized by confusion, alienation, and a deep sense of being overwhelmed by the hallucinatory effects.


While the afterglow phase lasted for hours, the subject reported a gradual return to a baseline state, though they were left with lingering disorientation and sensory confusion. The experience served as a reminder of the potency of phenethylamine substances and the importance of careful dosing.



8. Conclusion


In conclusion, this experience highlights the potential dangers of high doses of psychedelics, especially when the user exceeds their intended dosage. While the subject was familiar with intense substances, the overwhelming nature of this particular dose demonstrated the risks involved in using such powerful compounds without careful measurement. It serves as a cautionary tale for those considering high doses of psychedelics, urging caution and respect for the substances' potency and unpredictable effects.