Psychedelic Experience with 4-HO-MET: A Detailed Trip Report

Date: May 6, 2020
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Height: 183 cm / 6 ft
Weight: 79 kg / 175 lbs
Dosage: 20 mg

Introduction
The Beginning of the Experience
Rapid Onset and Intense Visuals
Navigating the Fear and Panic
Managing the High and Grounding Myself
The Outdoor Adventure
Return to Safety
Reflection on the Experience
Final Thoughts and Aftereffects

1. Introduction

On May 6, 2020, I decided to take 20 mg of 4-HO-MET, a psychedelic compound similar in structure to psilocybin. I had taken psychedelics before, including mushrooms and 4-ACO-DMT, but this was my first time with 4-HO-MET. I was both excited and anxious about how it would affect me. This report details my experience, including the highs and lows, along with reflections on what I learned from the trip.

2. The Beginning of the Experience

The evening started innocuously. After consuming the 4-HO-MET pill, I passed the time playing Super Smash Bros Ultimate on my Nintendo Switch, hoping to distract myself while waiting for the effects to kick in. As I played, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. Taking a new substance for the first time, especially on my own, seemed unwise in hindsight. I had made this mistake before, yet I found myself repeating it.

About 15 minutes after ingestion, I began to feel the familiar body high—a warm, tingly sensation that signaled the onset of the trip. My senses became more acute, and my vision sharpened. Realizing the drug was kicking in quickly, I put away the game and switched to listening to music. My "psychedelic playlist" carried me into what would soon be an intense experience.

3. Rapid Onset and Intense Visuals

The come-up was remarkably fast. Since I hadn’t eaten anything since the morning, the 4-HO-MET likely metabolized quickly. It felt like I was on a rocket headed straight to the moon. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such a rapid onset with any other psychedelic. The body high intensified rapidly, and before long, I noticed the colors around me beginning to shift. Looking at my armchair, I saw intricate Persian rug patterns crawling over the surface. The furniture in my room seemed to undulate and warp, as if reality itself was being twisted.

I attempted to document the visual effects on my laptop, but this task quickly became difficult. The screen and keyboard started to distort, the letters shifting and morphing before my eyes. It was hard to concentrate on what I was typing, as my mind raced with bizarre thoughts. After a few minutes, I gave up trying to write and closed my eyes, where a kaleidoscope of geometric patterns greeted me. I felt as though I was floating through infinity, unmoored from the reality of the physical world.

4. Navigating the Fear and Panic

As the trip deepened, my connection to grounded reality began to fade. I felt an overwhelming sense of spirituality, as if my ego was dissolving. While this is often the goal of a psychedelic experience, it can also be frightening—especially when you’re alone. The sensation of ego death made me feel like I was losing control, and my heart began to race. My visuals darkened, and I feared I might spiral into a bad trip.

Panicking, I tried to calm myself by taking deep breaths. I reminded myself of a core principle of tripping: “Let go.” The more I fought the experience, the worse it would get. At that moment, I realized I had been focusing on the negative—on the fact that I was alone, isolated in my room during the pandemic. I felt pathetic and vulnerable. However, I consciously shifted my focus to positive aspects of my life: my loving family, the great friends I had, and the wonderful experiences we had shared. Slowly, my anxiety started to subside, though a lingering tension remained. The stimulating nature of 4-HO-MET felt different from the sedative effects of psilocybin or 4-ACO-DMT.

5. Managing the High and Grounding Myself

To help alleviate the nervous energy, I decided to get up and move around my apartment. I contemplated going for a walk, thinking that some fresh air might help calm me down. I went to the bathroom to check my reflection, and what I saw was almost comical. My pupils were massively dilated, my hair was a mess, and my face seemed to morph and shift as I stared at it. I looked like a classic example of someone "tripping hard."

I couldn’t help but laugh. My disheveled appearance reminded me of the “Doomer Wojak” meme—a downcast, existential figure—except I looked like a "Top Gun" version with sunglasses. Despite the ridiculousness, I decided to put on the sunglasses, aware that my eyes would draw too much attention if I ventured outside.

6. The Outdoor Adventure

Stepping outside, I was immediately struck by auditory hallucinations. The sounds of the street seemed to echo and loop around my head, reminiscent of a psychedelic rock song, like something Jimi Hendrix might compose. Although the weather was perfect, with vivid and colorful scenery, I couldn’t fully enjoy it. Paranoia crept in as I began to worry about what people thought of me. I felt as if everyone who passed by could tell I was on drugs, and I imagined them laughing at me for walking around in such a state.

I did my best to ignore the negative thoughts and focus on the beauty of my surroundings. After about 30 minutes of wandering the streets, I returned to my apartment block, relieved to be back in a familiar, safe space.

7. Return to Safety

As I approached my building, a flash of fear struck me. I spotted a police car—a white SUV with red and blue lights flashing—parked nearby. My paranoia flared up. I feared someone had called the police about a "suspicious" person wandering around, and I was convinced they were coming for me. Thankfully, the car turned into a different driveway, and I hurried back to my apartment, grateful to escape what felt like a close call.

Once inside, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I sat down, put on some calming music, and continued to document my experience. The intensity of the trip started to fade, and I felt more relaxed as I transitioned into the comedown phase. I played a few video games, had dinner, took a shower, and wrote down some final thoughts.

8. Reflection on the Experience

After dinner, I took a small hit of weed and drank a few shots of whiskey to help wind down. The weed amplified the cognitive effects of the trip slightly, but it kept me grounded. I spent the rest of the evening watching a movie before eventually heading to bed. My mind was still racing, and it took a while for me to fall asleep.

In retrospect, this trip was one of the less enjoyable psychedelic experiences I’ve had. 4-HO-MET had similar effects to 4-ACO-DMT, but with a more energetic, almost jittery feeling. The visuals were warmer and more colorful, comparable to those experienced on LSD. The textures and patterns moved quickly, more chaotic than the gentle, flowing visuals of psilocybin.

9. Final Thoughts and Aftereffects

Reflecting on the trip, I believe my lack of mental preparation contributed to the overall discomfort. I was anxious from the start and struggled to calm myself before the drug took hold. Additionally, the ongoing pandemic likely played a role in amplifying my unease. There was a foreboding, heavy atmosphere in the air, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I shouldn’t have been tripping during such a difficult time for humanity.

In conclusion, 4-HO-MET is a fascinating substance, ideal for social or active settings with friends. It combines elements of both acid and mushrooms, but I wouldn’t recommend doing it alone, especially not during a time of global uncertainty. If you plan to try it, wait until the world feels a little more stable, and make sure you’re in a positive environment with people you trust.

Thank you for reading my trip report, and I hope it was insightful for those curious about 4-HO-MET.