A Psychedelic Experience with 4-AcO-DMT: An Account of a Risky Trip
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Set and Setting
- Health Condition
- Substance Use Before the Trip
- The Importance of Set and Setting
- The Dosage and Administration
- The Decision to Snort 4-AcO-DMT
- Initial Effects
- Progression of the Trip
- Onset of Visual Effects
- Closed-Eye Visuals
- Music Enhancement
- Intensity Builds
- Time Dilation and Body Load
- Breathing and Physical Sensations
- Attempting to Alleviate Effects
- Cannabis Use
- Escalation of Intensity
- Extreme Somatic Effects
- Distortion of Space and Body Sensations
- Nausea and Discomfort
- A Surreal Encounter
- The Cardboard Box and the Spirit Entity
- The Interaction with the Psychedelic Spirit
- Conclusion
1. Introduction
On January 30, 2017, a 34-year-old woman with a body weight of 90 kg (198 lbs) embarked on a psychedelic journey with 4-AcO-DMT, a synthetic tryptamine. This account details the trip, beginning with the less-than-ideal set and setting, progressing through the effects of the substance, and culminating in a bizarre interaction with an imagined spirit. Despite being aware of the potential risks involved due to her physical state and prior drug use, the individual decided to proceed with the experience.
2. Set and Setting
Health Condition
At the time of the trip, the individual was recovering from the flu, which had left her physically weakened. This was already a red flag for many who understand the importance of physical health in ensuring a positive and safe psychedelic experience.
Substance Use Before the Trip
Additionally, the user had been awake for roughly 24 hours and had spent a significant portion of the previous day using 4F-MPH, a stimulant. This extended wakefulness and stimulant use added another layer of potential risk, as the body was already in a compromised state, possibly affecting both the physical and mental experience of the drug.
The Importance of Set and Setting
Despite these warnings, the individual decided to go ahead with the experience, believing her prior knowledge and experience with psychedelics would allow her to manage any challenges the circumstances might create. She took precautions by reagent testing and conducting an allergy test on the substance before using it, which could help identify any immediate dangers.
3. The Dosage and Administration
The Decision to Snort 4-AcO-DMT
Around 2 PM, the individual weighed out a dose of 25mg of 4-AcO-DMT, choosing to snort it rather than ingest it orally. The shorter duration of effects associated with snorting this compound was likely a consideration to avoid pushing her limits of sleep deprivation too far.
Initial Effects
The onset of effects was relatively swift, with a mild but noticeable change in visual perception within five minutes. The initial visuals were not overwhelming, and the experience was described as fairly relaxing. There was a mild "swimming" sensation to her vision, a typical effect of tryptamines. The environment around her seemed to warp, with the walls appearing at odd angles. Despite the physical discomforts, she remained calm and content.
4. Progression of the Trip
Onset of Visual Effects
As the drug began to take full effect, the visuals intensified. The walls of the room continued to warp and shift, and the colors around her became more vibrant. The visuals were characterized by flowing colors and morphing patterns, which are common experiences with tryptamines like 4-AcO-DMT. Despite the increasing intensity, the headspace remained relatively mild and relaxing for the most part.
Closed-Eye Visuals
Closed-eye visuals (CEVs) were particularly striking, providing a different experience from those typically associated with other substances, such as phenethylamines or ergolines. Instead of geometric or fractal patterns, the CEVs appeared as abstract sheets of art, morphing and intersecting in a fluid and visually pleasing way. The user found these visuals to be both beautiful and captivating, adding to the overall sense of contentment during the trip.
Music Enhancement
The music that accompanied the experience was noticeably enhanced, with sounds becoming more immersive and beautiful. This is a well-known effect of psychedelics, where music becomes more emotionally charged and layered, deepening the overall experience.
5. Intensity Builds
Time Dilation and Body Load
About an hour into the trip, the intensity began to increase. The user began to experience significant time dilation, particularly with the music. The passage of time seemed to slow dramatically, with the music sounding as though it was playing at half its usual speed, though the pitch remained the same.
Simultaneously, physical effects began to grow more intense. Nausea started to set in, becoming distracting, and the user reported a sensation of discomfort when breathing. Having just recovered from the flu, she had been coughing frequently, and the combination of laying down and the physical effects of 4-AcO-DMT led to an uncomfortable feeling of breathlessness. The distorted perception of time seemed to exacerbate this sensation, making it feel as though time between breaths was expanding.
Breathing and Physical Sensations
Despite understanding that her perceptions were out of sync with reality, the user could not shake the uncomfortable feeling that she wasn't breathing properly. Though she recognized that she was in no immediate danger, the sensation was nonetheless unpleasant and disorienting.
6. Attempting to Alleviate Effects
Cannabis Use
In an effort to alleviate the nausea, the user decided to vape a small amount of cannabis e-liquid. Initially, it seemed to provide some relief, but it also triggered a sharp increase in the intensity of the psychedelic experience. While the visuals became even more vivid and beautiful, the overall effect soon became overwhelming.
Escalation of Intensity
The psychedelic visuals became increasingly intricate, featuring three-dimensional morphing surfaces that enveloped the entire environment. The colors of the visuals—primarily purple, green, and cyan—were strikingly familiar to the user from previous Ayahuasca experiences, suggesting a possible link between the sensations felt during the 4-AcO-DMT trip and the powerful effects of traditional plant medicines.
7. Extreme Somatic Effects
Distortion of Space and Body Sensations
As the trip continued to intensify, the user began to experience extreme distortions in her sense of space and body. The usual three-dimensional perception of space seemed to shift, with her body feeling like it was folding through itself or turning inside out. These distortions made the experience surreal and uncomfortable, exacerbating the feelings of nausea that were already present.
The user could not determine whether the body-load effects were caused by the substance itself or by the ongoing somatic distortions, but they certainly did not help to alleviate the discomfort.
Nausea and Discomfort
Nausea, already a significant issue, became increasingly difficult to manage as the trip progressed. The intense visuals and physical distortions created a feeling of complete disorientation, further contributing to the sense of unease.
8. A Surreal Encounter
The Cardboard Box and the Spirit Entity
In the midst of the escalating intensity, the user had a strange and surreal experience. She found herself conversing with a cardboard box on top of her wardrobe, which had somehow taken on the appearance of an Aztec god. The box, now personified as a psychedelic spirit, seemed to be displeased with the user's attitude toward the experience.
The spirit entity, manifesting as a symbolic force within the psychedelic trip, appeared to be irked by her lack of respect for its power. This interaction highlighted an interesting aspect of the experience—4-AcO-DMT, despite being a synthetic substance, was perceived as possessing an almost spiritual or mythical presence.
The Interaction with the Psychedelic Spirit
The user, skeptical of the situation and perhaps the entity's perceived authority, responded by rolling her eyes and offering a half-hearted apology. Interestingly, this seemed to appease the entity somewhat, demonstrating the bizarre nature of the experience and the sometimes surreal logic that governs psychedelic encounters.
9. Conclusion
This account of a 4-AcO-DMT trip illustrates the complexities and potential challenges of experimenting with psychedelics under less-than-ideal circumstances. Despite being well-versed in psychedelic substances and taking precautions, the user's physical state, prior drug use, and sleep deprivation all contributed to an experience that was both beautiful and overwhelming. The intense visuals, body distortions, and surreal encounters with psychedelic entities added layers of complexity to the trip, ultimately leading to a moment of introspection and the recognition of the importance of set and setting in such experiences.
