Experience Report: 4-HO-MET Trip in Nature


Table of Contents


  1. Introduction
  2. Setting and Preparation
    • Dosage and Consumption
    • Environmental Conditions
    • Pre-Takeoff Routine
  3. The Launch (15 Minutes In)
    • Acceleration Rate
    • Physical and Mental State
  4. Peak Experience
    • Visual Effects
      • Color Perception
      • Object Perception and Animation
      • Forest as a Breathing Entity
    • Spatial Effects
    • Time Perception
    • Physical and Cognitive Effects
  5. Comedown (After 2.5 Hours)
  6. Next Day Effects
  7. Conclusion



1. Introduction


This experience report details a 45-year-old male’s encounter with the psychedelic substance 4-HO-MET, consumed in a gelatin-based soft capsule form. The dosage was unspecified but trusted as a standard consumer dose from a previously tested batch. The journey took place in a serene woodland setting, amidst oak trees, bluebells, and wildlife, during a spring afternoon with overcast skies that later transitioned into rain.



2. Setting and Preparation


Dosage and Consumption


  • Gender: Male
  • Age: 45
  • Route of Administration: Oral
  • Form: Gelatin-based soft capsules (brown)
  • Dosage: Unknown (standard consumer dose)
  • Taste: Unpleasant


The substance was consumed at approximately 16:00, and the user ingested it orally, first sucking on the capsule, then chewing and swallowing it. This was followed by a small sip of pure apple juice to mask the unpleasant taste.


Environmental Conditions


  • Season: Spring
  • Time of Day: 16:00
  • Weather: Initially overcast, followed by rain later in the trip.
  • Location: Ancient woodland, previously a Roman road, populated with oak trees, red-brown earth, and spring flora such as bluebells. Wildlife such as deer, foxes, badgers, and squirrels were present.


The trip took place outdoors with a fire maintained by a sitter who watched over the experience. The presence of wildlife and the natural surroundings played a significant role in shaping the visual aspects of the trip.


Pre-Takeoff Routine


The subject ate a small piece of bread before ingestion, feeling some hunger at the time of consumption. A small amount of THC-rich cannabis was also smoked before the trip, which the user later regretted due to its amplification of social anxiety. This added complexity to the psychedelic experience, though the user found that the anxiety was less intense than what is typically experienced with LSD.



3. The Launch (15 Minutes In)


Acceleration Rate


Unlike the gradual onset typically associated with substances like LSD, the subject described an unexpectedly rapid launch into the peak of the experience within just 15 minutes. There was no nausea, although mild physical discomfort related to an autoimmune condition persisted but did not severely affect the trip.


The rapid acceleration into hyperspace bypassed the usual anticipatory feelings of a slow "come-up." Instead, the user found themselves fully immersed in the peak, with visual and sensory distortions kicking in almost immediately.


Physical and Mental State


Despite the ongoing social anxiety, the subject noted that 4-HO-MET seemed to mitigate these feelings compared to the intensity of similar emotions experienced on LSD. However, they speculated that MDMA might have been a more effective companion to reduce anxiety in such a social setting.



4. Peak Experience


Visual Effects


Color Perception


The subject observed heightened color saturation throughout the entire experience, with normal vision radically transformed. Colors were vivid and seemingly more intense than usual.


Object Perception and Animation


When focusing on specific objects, such as branches or leaves on the forest floor, the subject noted that these items appeared to come alive with a fractal-like, 3D quality. Every living object seemed to grow and extend outward, contributing to the sense of interconnectedness with nature.


Non-living items, like the rolled-up newspaper in the fire, followed a similar unfurling pattern. This item, in particular, appeared to infinitely blossom like a flower. In contrast, artificial objects, such as plastic bottles, did not exhibit the same visual effects.


Forest as a Breathing Entity


The entire forest floor, covered with leaves, was perceived as a gently rippling ocean. Every element of the environment seemed to pulse and breathe in harmony, creating a slow-moving, flowing landscape that emerged from the subject’s point of view.



Spatial Effects


The subject experienced a significant alteration in their perception of space. The world appeared to have layers, with the forest floor seeming like a distinct plane separate from the rest of the environment. Objects seemed closer than normal, and at times, the usual perception of distance collapsed, creating the feeling that everything was unified and that the subject was existing in a different dimension.


At one point, the subject noted that the world felt tilted, with their sense of direction—up, down, left, and right—becoming disoriented.


Time Perception


The perception of time was also distorted. The subject felt that more time had passed than had in reality. This elongation of time is a common feature of psychedelic experiences.


Physical and Cognitive Effects


  • Muscle Contractions: The subject reported muscle contractions similar to those experienced with MDMA or amphetamines.
  • Unpleasant Mouth Feel: A common side effect of psychedelics.
  • Balancing Problems: Coordination was somewhat impaired.
  • Language: Both spoken and internal language formation became difficult.
  • Increased Restlessness: The subject felt a compulsion to talk and found it challenging to stay still for extended periods.
  • Heightened Conceptualization: The ability to conceptualize thoughts and ideas was enhanced.
  • Memory: Short-term and long-term memory seemed unaffected.



5. Comedown (After 2.5 Hours)


Unlike the rapid onset, the comedown was more gradual and smooth. The intense visuals began to fade, leaving the subject with blurry vision, although this may have been partially due to pre-existing eyesight issues.


The rainy weather complicated the later stages of the trip, as the subject had to manage practical concerns like keeping dry, which proved to be exceptionally difficult in the altered state. After about three hours, the subject was able to leave the woodland and return home, functioning almost normally, despite carrying heavy equipment. However, the effects of the trip lingered for the remainder of the day, with most sensations, except for the vivid visuals, persisting in a more subdued manner.



6. Next Day Effects


The following day, the subject reported heightened cognitive ability, particularly regarding conceptual thinking. This triggered a possible manic creative phase, where the user felt an intense drive to produce ideas and thoughts. However, there was also some downside, likely due to serotonin depletion and physical fatigue, which caused a noticeable drop in energy levels.


The subject compared notes with a fellow participant who had taken the same batch of 4-HO-MET and found that their visual experiences were nearly identical, confirming the consistency of the effects.



7. Conclusion


Overall, the experience was deemed highly positive, despite some initial personal mental health and physical challenges. The trip was rapid-acting, with minimal nausea and anxiety compared to similar psychedelics like LSD. The effects were clean, with pronounced visual distortions and spatial-temporal anomalies. 4-HO-MET is recommended for those seeking a visually rich experience with less cognitive overload, making it ideal for occasional recreational use when treated with respect.