A Psychedelic Experience with 4-AcO-DMT: A Detailed Report

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Dosage and Initial Effects
    • 2.1 First Signs of Nausea and Distortion
    • 2.2 Difficulty with Coordination and Memory
  3. Visual and Sensory Effects
    • 3.1 The Kaleidoscopic Effect
    • 3.2 Geometric and Spatial Distortions
  4. Psychological Effects
    • 4.1 Synesthesia and Sensory Confusion
    • 4.2 A Deep Understanding and Overwhelming Thoughts
  5. Physical and Environmental Interactions
    • 5.1 Interaction with Friends and Technology
    • 5.2 The Change in Perspective During the Comedown
  6. Conclusion

1. Introduction

On July 30th, 2016, a male individual, 18 years old and weighing 55 kg (121 lbs), took a dose of 26 mg of 4-AcO-DMT, a synthetic psychedelic compound often associated with the experience of altered perceptions. This report details the sequence of events that unfolded after ingestion, capturing the effects on physical sensations, visual distortions, cognitive processing, and emotional states.

2. Dosage and Initial Effects

2.1 First Signs of Nausea and Distortion

The subject took the 26 mg dose of 4-AcO-DMT in the form of a gel capsule while walking to a friend's house. Shortly after reaching his destination, he began to feel an intense wave of nausea, which forced him to lie down for about ten minutes. This initial discomfort was marked by a noticeable distortion of the field of view (FOV), a common side effect for the individual when taking psychedelics.

2.2 Difficulty with Coordination and Memory

During the onset of the effects, the subject attempted to set up a Chrome Cast to stream music and videos. However, his short-term memory and motor skills were already significantly impaired. This feeling of mental fog and confusion intensified, giving him the sensation of being "stoned." Despite these challenges, the TV setup was eventually completed, and the group began streaming a video from Psyched Substance, a well-known YouTube channel focused on drug reviews and experiences.

3. Visual and Sensory Effects

3.1 The Kaleidoscopic Effect

Once the video began playing, the visual distortions became much more pronounced. The subject reported that the figure of the person on screen appeared to "come out" of the display itself, while the screen itself started to take on a kaleidoscopic appearance. This marked a significant escalation in the intensity of visual effects, which were now becoming more immersive and dynamic.

3.2 Geometric and Spatial Distortions

At this point, the second friend arrived, contributing to the social atmosphere of the experience. However, the subject's perceptions of space and geometry began to shift. The room no longer appeared to have the normal, cuboid shape, and distances seemed to constantly change. This sensation of distorted space intensified the overall intensity of the experience, leading to further sensory confusion.

4. Psychological Effects

4.1 Synesthesia and Sensory Confusion

As the effects deepened, the subject experienced strong synesthesia, a condition where different sensory modalities blend together. Music and video stimuli began to fuse visually, with the music seeming to alter the visual stimuli on the screen. The subject reported that the visual effects seemed to "sync" with the sounds. Upon looking at the ceiling, he noticed shifting and swirling patterns in the stucco, which seemed to move and change in color before his eyes.

4.2 A Deep Understanding and Overwhelming Thoughts

The visual experience was accompanied by profound psychological effects. At one point, the subject experienced an overwhelming sense of understanding, where everything seemed to make sense all at once. There was a strong sense of disconnection from his own identity, and he found himself unable to maintain awareness of his own existence. Thoughts of memories came and went rapidly, as though his brain was "in overdrive," processing and analyzing everything he had ever known. These intense thoughts gradually faded, and the subject started to come down from the peak of the experience, feeling mentally exhausted and introspective.

5. Physical and Environmental Interactions

5.1 Interaction with Friends and Technology

At this point, the subject became increasingly aware of the peculiar way in which his environment and interactions were altered by the drug. His friends appeared to be stretched vertically, as if viewed through a circus mirror. Meanwhile, the subject's interaction with his phone led to more strange visual perceptions. When playing a hacked version of Subway Surfer, the characters and environment seemed to warp and change along with the music, and at one point, the game appeared to be playing in reverse.

5.2 The Change in Perspective During the Comedown

As the effects started to subside, the subject's friend suggested they go outside, which proved to be a welcome shift in the experience. Upon stepping outside and walking through a forest path, the subject found the change in scenery to be immensely helpful for the comedown. The still-visible visual effects were now less overwhelming in the natural environment, and the walk in the forest provided a calming influence, helping the subject relax and regain composure.

6. Conclusion

The 4-AcO-DMT experience detailed in this report was marked by intense visual distortions, sensory blending, and profound psychological effects. The subject's perception of space, time, and identity was altered significantly, leading to both disorientation and moments of clarity. While the peak effects were overwhelming at times, the comedown was made easier by the calming influence of a walk through nature. This experience exemplifies the powerful, sometimes unpredictable nature of psychedelics and the way they can profoundly alter both physical and mental experiences.