A Journey Through Perception: A Personal Experience with Psychedelics and Visual Distortions

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Beginning of the Trip
2. The First Encounter: A Glimpse of the Golden Figure
3. The Gold Figure’s Transformation and My Reaction
4. A Surreal Argument and Return to Reality
5. Dabbing and the Intensification of Visuals
6. Exploring the World with Enhanced Perception
7. Environmental Cubism: A New Way of Seeing
8. The Wedding and the Trees: Symbolism and Thought
9. Deep Reflection and Self-Discovery
10. The Gradual Return to Normality
11. Conclusion: Reflections on the Experience

1. Introduction: The Beginning of the Trip

It all began as I was sitting down, listening to Tycho’s ambient sounds, when something unusual caught my attention. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of gold. It materialized slowly, an odd phenomenon I couldn’t quite place. I turned to look directly at it, but in an instant, it disappeared. Unsure of what had happened, I brushed it off and returned to my thoughts.

2. The First Encounter: A Glimpse of the Golden Figure

Soon after, I noticed it again—this time more clearly, hanging there in the air. Gold ribbons twisted and turned, floating in a mesmerizing pattern. The image was shifting, forming into a tall, thin figure. The more I observed, the more details emerged. Its face was almost impossible to define, surrounded by so many moving shapes and lines that my mind struggled to keep up. The golden color seemed to form a universe within itself, its body constantly changing.

3. The Gold Figure’s Transformation and My Reaction

As I stared, the figure emitted a low humming sound, followed by a series of coos. I was startled by the intensity of the experience and, in a reflex, looked directly at it. Just as I did, the figure vanished. In that moment, I realized the power of psychedelic experiences and the fragility of my mind in such a state. The thought that I might lose my grip on reality, constantly seeing such things in my periphery, was unsettling. I couldn’t help but wonder how difficult it would be to maintain a sense of self while enduring such vivid visions.

Fortunately, the figure stopped appearing after that, but the sensation of being followed lingered. I saw it one more time as my trip peaked. It felt like a reminder of the experience that had taken over me.

4. A Surreal Argument and Return to Reality

As I moved from one place to another, I entered a building, sat down, and began to watch the shapes around me distort. Through the windows, the sunlight split the outdoor world into colorful squares of green and blue. It wasn’t exactly cubism, but it felt similar to the abstract qualities of that style. Before long, an odd interaction occurred in my mind. I found myself arguing with a cardboard figure—a black man wearing a college graduation gown and cap. The conversation was strange, and I’m still not sure where it came from. In the end, the argument ended with me flipping him off, calling him a “bitch ass scholar n’ shit.”

5. Dabbing and the Intensification of Visuals

When I got home, I decided to dab, a term referring to a potent form of cannabis concentrate. Immediately, my visuals intensified. The world around me became a living, breathing organism. The melting visuals returned, and everything seemed to boil and shift. It was as though I could feel the energy coursing through me, and I became suddenly energized by the experience.

Unable to focus on conversations online because my computer seemed to melt in front of me, I decided to go back outside.

6. Exploring the World with Enhanced Perception

As I stepped outside, the world appeared differently. The colors were richer, more vibrant, and the world around me felt more stable than before. My visual pattern recognition was heightened, and I began seeing intricate patterns in nature. For example, the trees in the park appeared to be vigilant guardians of a hidden rose garden. They were no longer just trees—they became protectors, like watchers in an ancient story.

7. Environmental Cubism: A New Way of Seeing

What followed was the most intense experience of environmental cubism I’d ever had. The world split into a thousand perspectives, like I was looking through a collection of fragmented windows. Each window showed a slightly different view, creating a jumbled and disjointed perception of the world. This experience was so surreal, yet profoundly awe-inspiring, and I found it difficult to tear my eyes away from the beauty of it all.

8. The Wedding and the Trees: Symbolism and Thought

As I wandered through the park, I noticed a wedding ceremony taking place near a gazebo. I sat down to watch, but the realization struck me that I wasn’t dressed appropriately. I only had on a polo shirt, khakis, and boat shoes—not exactly wedding attire. This thought made me laugh, as the absurdity of the situation seemed to highlight the dissonance between the experience and the norms of society.

Meanwhile, the trees continued their bizarre dance in the wind, moving as though they were engaged in an argument. Their faces, distorted and insect-like, shifted with the breeze. Though it was intense, it wasn’t frightening—it was a fascinating experience that challenged my perception of reality.

9. Deep Reflection and Self-Discovery

As I sat in the park, immersed in this heightened state, my thoughts began to take a deep turn. I felt a surge of clarity, an understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. It was as if the veil between my subconscious and conscious mind had lifted, and I could finally comprehend what I needed to do with my life. I decided that science was the path for me, as I believed my greatest strength lay in the translation of complex ideas. I realized that if I could bridge the gap between complicated concepts and those who struggle to understand them, I could make a significant difference in the world.

10. The Gradual Return to Normality

As the trip began to subside, I felt a sense of elation and satisfaction. The experience had been intense, but ultimately beautiful. The world slowly started to return to its normal form, and I felt as though I was floating back to the dimension from which I had come. My ability to formulate coherent thoughts returned, and I decided to connect with friends. I dabbled once more, helping to ease the sudden drop in stimulation and maintaining slight visual effects until around 5:00 pm.

11. Conclusion: Reflections on the Experience

In the end, this psychedelic journey left a lasting impression. What began as a series of disjointed visual phenomena evolved into deep introspection and self-realization. The experience brought me a new perspective on life, personal growth, and the potential for change through the simple act of clear communication. Though surreal and sometimes challenging, the trip was a profound exploration of perception and the mind’s ability to create and process meaning.