The Experience of Unity and Interconnectedness: A Deep Dive into Psychedelic States of Awareness


Table of Contents:


  1. Introduction
  2. The First Experience: A Journey into Unity
    • Initial Experimentation with Psychedelics
    • The Notable 4-ACO-DMT Trip
  3. The Ongoing Experience of Unity
    • Daily Shifts in Sense of Self
    • Impact of 4-ACO-DMT on Unity
  4. Understanding Unity and Interconnectedness
    • The Cognitive Shift
    • The Feeling of Being One with Everything
  5. Psychological and Philosophical Implications
    • Unity as a Removal of Illusion
    • Describing the Cosmic Experience
  6. Triggers and External Influences
    • Common Triggers for Unity Experiences
  7. Conclusion: The Persistence of Unity Beyond Psychedelics



1. Introduction


The experience of unity and interconnectedness has been a profound aspect of many individuals' psychedelic journeys. These states of heightened awareness often lead to deep realizations about the nature of self, identity, and the universe. In this detailed report, the author, a young female (aged 18-22, weighing 43 kg / 95 lbs), recounts her personal experiences with these altered states of consciousness, particularly focusing on the impact psychedelics have had on her sense of self and the world around her.


2. The First Experience: A Journey into Unity


Initial Experimentation with Psychedelics


At the age of 18, the author began experimenting with psychedelics. It was during her third experience with psilocybin mushrooms that she encountered the first significant shift in her perception of self and reality. This trip introduced her to a profound state of unity and interconnectedness, a feeling she describes as one of the greatest trips of her life.


The Notable 4-ACO-DMT Trip


The author’s second pivotal experience occurred when she ingested 20 mg of 4-ACO-DMT, a synthetic psychedelic compound. This trip introduced rapid cycling thoughts, feelings of discovery, and an overwhelming sense that the universe’s secrets were being revealed to her. During this experience, she perceived everyone and everything as extensions of herself, reinforcing the concept of unity with the universe.


3. The Ongoing Experience of Unity


Daily Shifts in Sense of Self


Following the 4-ACO-DMT trip, the feelings of unity and interconnectedness did not fade after the psychedelic effects wore off. Instead, these feelings remained a prominent part of her everyday life. Over the next four years, the author reported experiencing these sensations of unity daily, though not always at the same intensity.


Her sense of self fluctuates multiple times a day, ranging from moments when she feels deeply connected to her ego to times when she perceives herself as one with the universe. This continuous shift, occurring 5 to 30 times daily, allows her to experience a constant connection to everything around her, even without the aid of psychedelics.


Impact of 4-ACO-DMT on Unity


The 4-ACO-DMT experience marked a significant turning point in the author’s ability to access states of unity. She notes that, as a result of this experience, she no longer requires psychoactive substances to enter these states. The ability to experience interconnectedness, she explains, has become an innate part of her everyday consciousness.


4. Understanding Unity and Interconnectedness


The Cognitive Shift


Unity and interconnectedness, as the author explains, are best described as shifts in the cognitive rules that define the boundaries of self and other. While most people perceive their identity as separate from the external world, psychedelics can blur these lines, leading to an overwhelming realization that the self is part of a greater, interconnected whole. This experience alters the perception of what is "self" and what is "other," fostering a sense of unity with all things.


The Feeling of Being One with Everything


During these states, the author feels that her identity extends far beyond her individual body. She experiences herself as the universe itself, exploring, acting, and experiencing through her particular point in space and time. This feeling, she says, can be best described by the words of Carl Sagan: "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."


For the author, the experience is one of cosmic self-awareness, where the division between the self and the world vanishes. She frequently uses the term "I" for convenience, but in truth, she feels that her sense of self is not bound to her physical body but is part of a larger universal consciousness.


5. Psychological and Philosophical Implications


Unity as a Removal of Illusion


Many who experience unity and interconnectedness interpret it as a removal of a deeply embedded illusion—the illusion that the self is separate from the universe. This realization is often described as a form of enlightenment or awakening, a profound shift in understanding the nature of reality.


The experience of unity, according to the author, is akin to peeling back layers of mental conditioning that create the illusion of separateness. Once this illusion is shattered, the individual is left with the recognition that everything is connected.


Describing the Cosmic Experience


The feeling of unity is often described as a profound cosmic realization: that everything exists as part of a self-aware, interconnected whole. The author explains that, during these experiences, she often finds herself thinking of her existence as part of the larger cosmic story. She feels as though her body is merely a vessel for the universe to experience itself.


These experiences are further emphasized by the intense visuals she encounters during unity states. For example, during certain trips, the author has seen external hallucinations of the words “YOU ARE GOD” across her vision, reinforcing the feeling that the universe and the individual self are inseparable.


6. Triggers and External Influences


Common Triggers for Unity Experiences


While psychedelic substances are a strong catalyst for the experience of unity, the author also notes that there are several triggers in her everyday life that can induce the same sense of interconnectedness. These include:


  • Reading about unity or interconnectedness
  • Talking or hearing others talk about unity
  • Discussions surrounding spiritual or philosophical topics
  • Engaging with psychedelic substances or dissociatives


She reports that these triggers can evoke feelings of unity even without the use of any psychoactive compounds. This suggests that the potential for experiencing interconnectedness is a deeply embedded aspect of her consciousness.


7. Conclusion: The Persistence of Unity Beyond Psychedelics


The author’s journey reflects the profound impact that psychedelics can have on a person's perception of reality, self, and the universe. While initially induced by substances like psilocybin mushrooms and 4-ACO-DMT, the experience of unity has become a lasting and recurrent part of her life. This state of interconnectedness, once perceived as exclusive to altered states of consciousness, is now accessible in everyday, sober moments.


For the author, these experiences have become a constant source of personal growth and understanding, shaping her view of the universe as a connected, self-aware entity. Despite the passage of time, the profound sense of unity she experiences continues to resonate, illustrating the lasting effects of these transformative journeys.