A Journey Through Psychedelic Experience: Insights and Reflections


Table of Contents


  • Introduction
  • The Come-Up Experience
    • Initial Feelings and Imagery
    • Navigating Emotions
  • Reaching the Plateau
    • Physical Sensations and Visual Distortions
    • Ego Dissolution and Consciousness
  • The High Point of the Experience
    • Joyful Moments and Creative Outbursts
    • Connecting with Loved Ones
  • Coming Down from the Trip
    • Relief and Bonding
  • Conclusion and Recommendations


Introduction


This article recounts a detailed psychedelic experience, highlighting the feelings, visuals, and insights encountered during the trip. It reflects on the journey from the initial come-up to the afterglow, offering personal insights that may resonate with others on similar paths.


The Come-Up Experience


Initial Feelings and Imagery


At approximately T-7:30, the come-up of the experience was immense and intense, yet not as powerful as Terence McKenna's own descriptions of his journeys. This discrepancy might have been due to the potency of the mushrooms used. Feelings of negativity, anxiety, and fear surfaced during this period, but a strong will helped me endure these challenges. Historically, the come-up has been the most difficult aspect of psychedelic experiences for me.


During this time, I encountered unsettling psychedelic imagery, including thousands of spiders suspended in geometric patterns, reminiscent of a Halloween atmosphere. However, I managed to observe these hallucinations without being drawn into a negative experience. I experienced an unprecedented variety of imagery over what felt like at least an hour, lying on my bed, along with a range of bodily sensations that I now struggle to recall clearly.


What made this come-up particularly fascinating was the rapid shift between emotions, sometimes feeling as though I was experiencing multiple emotions simultaneously. This ranged from intense anger to erotic love and wonder, peaking at what I would describe as Level 6 geometry.


Navigating Emotions


As I navigated through the waves of emotions, I felt the intensity of the experience morphing, each moment bringing a new emotional insight. The juxtaposition of these feelings contributed to the complexity of my initial psychedelic journey.


Reaching the Plateau


Physical Sensations and Visual Distortions


By T-8:30, as the come-up reached its plateau, it became clear that this experience would not follow the strict silence and darkness often associated with McKenna-style trips. I began to shed the tiredness I had initially felt, replaced by restlessness and a desire to explore my surroundings. The anxiety that had accompanied me during the initial phase started to dissipate, leading me to believe that this was going to be a positive trip.


Upon sitting up and opening my eyes—my previous discomfort with my eyes dissipated—I found my visual field not dominated by vivid hallucinations but rather intense distortions, particularly at the edges. The feeling that arose in that moment was profound: my entire being felt like an orb of pure consciousness adrift in a vast emptiness. This realization struck me as I observed the round quality of my visual field, prompting a fit of hysterical laughter.


Ego Dissolution and Consciousness


In that moment of clarity, I sensed no separation between myself and the objects surrounding me in my bedroom. Everything felt interconnected, a part of my consciousness. My thoughts seemed to resonate within this orb of awareness, leading to an understanding of the concept of ego dissolution, which I later articulated better after reading Sam Harris's "Waking Up."


The High Point of the Experience


Joyful Moments and Creative Outbursts


By T-9:00, the intensity of my experience began to wane following my near-ego death encounter in the bedroom. A wave of total delight washed over me. I ventured downstairs with a pen and paper, nearly moved to tears with laughter as I attempted to write down a thought I had earlier. In a moment of frenzied inspiration, I ended up ripping the paper but eventually scribbled, "Life, you can never be alone, THIS IS IT!!!" This sentiment emerged from the profound sense of oneness I had felt earlier.


With an unusual burst of energy, I pranced around my home, engaging with random objects as if in a joyous stupor. This energetic high was unlike anything I had previously experienced during mushroom trips.


Connecting with Loved Ones


As the trip began to come down, I remembered the need to reach out to my girlfriend regarding my eye issue, which still required attention. I called her, filled with joy as I shared the insights I had gathered during the trip, eager to know if they made sense to her. Her reassurance that I was coherent and that she would be coming over soon added to my delight.


Coming Down from the Trip


Relief and Bonding


By T-10:00, my girlfriend arrived just as I was transitioning from the peak of the experience. She helped me locate the misplaced contact lens, providing immense relief once it was removed. This moment of support fostered a deep sense of connection and bonding between us, leaving me with a lingering positive afterglow that lasted for nearly a week.


Conclusion and Recommendations


In conclusion, it is crucial to avoid wearing contact lenses when planning to close your eyes during a hallucinogenic experience. Better yet, having a sober trip sitter is vital. Even experienced individuals can find themselves in unexpectedly confusing situations while under the influence, so having a reliable friend to provide clarity is always beneficial.


Interestingly, I noted that the mushrooms' effects seemed considerably shorter than I was accustomed to, possibly due to not having eaten beforehand. The come-up and come-down phases occurred at least 30 minutes earlier than usual. Overall, this trip was remarkable and deeply enjoyable once I navigated through the initial challenges, ultimately leading to valuable insights and reflections.