A Journey into LSD: Managing Conflict and Embracing the Experience
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Pre-Trip Preparation
- Dosage and Participants
- Timeline and Additional Substances
- The Onset: A Calm Beginning
- T+00 to T+50: Early Sensations and Stimulation
- Walking in Nature
- T+1:20: Visuals and Heightened Sensory Experience
- Back Indoors: Visuals Intensify
- Dancing with the Environment
- Conflict Arises: Theta and Omega’s Tension
- Managing Conflict: Emotional Dynamics on LSD
- Afterglow and Reflection
Introduction
This account details a unique LSD experience where I not only explored the effects of the substance but also managed a conflict between two others under its influence. Alongside me were Theta, who had taken 250µg of LSD, and Omega, a newcomer to the experience, who ingested 65µg. This trip stood out from my previous experiences because it required me to navigate emotional tension between Theta and Omega while under the influence. Despite the challenges, I learned a lot from the experience.
Pre-Trip Preparation
Dosage and Participants
- Sex: Male
- Weight: 76kg (168 lbs)
- Height: 179cm
- Dosage: I took 200µg of LSD. Theta took 250µg, and Omega, new to the experience, took approximately 65µg.
From what I could observe, the 50µg difference between my dose and Theta's didn't seem to produce significantly stronger effects for him. However, Omega, being new to LSD, experienced a different level of intensity.
Timeline and Additional Substances
The timeline of the trip unfolded over several hours:
- Ingestion: 9:50 AM
- Onset: 9:50 AM - 11:30 AM
- Peak: 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Offset: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Afterglow: 10:00 PM - 4:30 AM
In addition to LSD, we consumed:
- 20mg DMT fumarate (vaporized)
- 2.5g GHB
- 300mg THC
The Onset: A Calm Beginning
T+00 to T+50: Early Sensations and Stimulation
After waking up at 8:30 AM, we ingested the LSD at 9:50 AM. The morning started with a calm atmosphere, as we discussed our excitement and expectations for the trip. By T+20 minutes, the haze of the morning lifted, and I began to notice the physical stimulation. However, the sensation was different from my experiences with stimulants like amphetamines. The stimulation from LSD was not smooth but rather uneasy, as if a constant rush flowed through my veins.
By T+50, I decided to take a dab of THC. I suggested to Theta and Omega that we take a walk, and they agreed, though we were a bit disjointed as we left, easily distracted by our surroundings.
Walking in Nature
Once outside, walking felt almost effortless, as though I were gliding on a conveyor belt. I had expected to feel anxious, but instead, the music in my headphones grounded me. Although the colors were not as enhanced as I had experienced in previous trips, my sensory perception was heightened. The smell of pine trees was captivating, pulling me into vivid memories of camping. The trees seemed to come alive, bending and smiling at me, their faces shifting with each breath.
The birds chirped in the background, their sounds blending into the surrounding ambiance. It was as if I could pick out individual words from a conversation, but they held no meaning. I was lost in the sensory overload, my feet feeling light as Giraffage's "Close 2 U" filled my ears.
T+1:20: Visuals and Heightened Sensory Experience
Back Indoors: Visuals Intensify
After returning from our walk, the trip started to intensify. By T+1:20, the walls of my room were pulsating, expanding and contracting in sync with the music. XXYYXX's "About You" played from my speakers, and the room transformed into a dance hall. The visuals became more complex, with geometric patterns swirling along the walls, illuminated by dazzling rainbows. The patterns would bind together, creating shapes that seemed to press out of the walls and toward me.
Dancing with the Environment
The music and visuals were deeply intertwined. Dancing felt completely natural, as if my body was instinctively responding to the rhythms. Every movement left behind faint tracers, adding to the visual spectacle. The stimulation from the LSD remained slightly uncomfortable, but the THC helped ground me, making me feel more in control of the experience.
Conflict Arises: Theta and Omega’s Tension
As I immersed myself in the music and visuals, I noticed that the energy in the room had shifted. Theta appeared uncomfortable, while Omega seemed fascinated by everything around him. The dynamic between them became tense, with their differing opinions during conversations creating a subtle disconnect. I found myself restless and started pacing, unable to stay still for long.
Omega commented on my constant movement, while Theta remained quiet. I could sense that something was off, and the tension between them was growing. My stomach growled with hunger, adding to my discomfort. At this point, I decided to leave for the store to clear my mind and step away from the situation.
Managing Conflict: Emotional Dynamics on LSD
Upon returning, I had to address the emotional tension that had developed between Theta and Omega. Both were experiencing the effects of LSD differently, and their contrasting reactions created a strain in the environment. Theta, who had taken a higher dose, seemed overwhelmed and uncomfortable, while Omega remained in awe of the experience. As I attempted to mediate, it became clear that their unease was rooted in how differently they were processing the trip.
Handling emotional conflict during an LSD trip requires a delicate balance of empathy and self-awareness. I found myself stepping into the role of a mediator, trying to calm both Theta and Omega while managing my own heightened emotional state.
Afterglow and Reflection
By the time the effects of the LSD began to wear off, the tension had subsided. The afterglow, which lasted from 10:00 PM until around 4:30 AM, provided an opportunity for us to reflect on the experience. We discussed the different ways the trip had affected us, particularly how the conflict had unfolded and the emotional challenges that came with it. Despite the tension, I didn’t regret the dose or the experience. It offered valuable insights into how psychedelics can intensify interpersonal dynamics, requiring both patience and understanding.
In the end, this trip was not just about the visual and sensory effects of LSD. It was an experience that pushed me to navigate emotional complexities, ultimately deepening my understanding of myself and my companions.