The Five-Gram Mushroom Experience: A Personal Journey


Table of Contents


  • Introduction
  • Background Information
  • The Trip
    • Preparation
    • Initial Effects
    • Challenges with Contact Lenses
    • Setting the Stage for the Peak



Introduction


A few summers ago, inspired by the recommendations of Terence McKenna, I prepared to embark on a significant psychedelic journey. I carefully weighed out a dose of five dried grams of the mushrooms I had purchased and set them aside for a time when I felt ready to explore their depths. McKenna famously advocated for taking this dose on an empty stomach in complete darkness, emphasizing the importance of setting for the serious psychedelic explorer. My intent was to fully immerse myself in the experience and observe what it had to offer. It's important to note that this account reflects my recollection of events from my past, and some details may not be entirely accurate.


Background Information


At the time of this experience, I had already explored the psychedelic realm on numerous occasions, consuming mushrooms at least a dozen times with doses ranging from as little as 0.5 grams to 4 grams. Based on the descriptions of the five levels of psychedelic experience, I had primarily reached level three, with fleeting glimpses into the more profound levels four and five. My most impactful prior trip occurred with 3.5 grams of an exceptionally potent mushroom strain, a unique encounter that deserves its own detailed report. Although that experience took place over four years ago, I still vividly remember a strong dissociation from my body and a remarkable dissolution of the boundaries between myself and the vivid, hallucinatory visual field I was immersed in while sitting in a hot tub with a sober friend. Gathering my belongings after the hot tub session proved almost comically challenging. This experience opened my eyes to the vast potential and power of psychedelics, leading me to realize that I should approach these substances with greater seriousness in the future.


However, being young at the time meant I lacked the understanding, motivation, and resources to do so properly, leading me to continue dabbling in psychedelics primarily for recreational purposes. Eventually, I resolved to finally undertake the significant journey I had long desired, guided by McKenna's advice to consume five grams in silence and darkness—a venture I had previously hesitated to pursue.


The Trip


Preparation


During the summer, I found myself home alone while my parents were away, and I was working part-time. Given my recent trips, which had yielded some negative experiences, I was particularly cautious about my psychedelic use. I made a pact with myself to only consume the mushrooms if I had several days off in a row and felt mentally stable. However, as time went by, I nearly forgot about the mushrooms. Feeling somewhat down that day, I had all but abandoned the idea of tripping. Yet, on the last day of my time off, as summer was drawing to a close, I felt a sudden urge to seize the opportunity.


At around 6 PM, I realized I hadn’t eaten for over eight hours, surpassing even the fasting time McKenna recommended. Although my mood had not been great, I resolved to proceed with the trip, recognizing it as my final chance before summer ended.


Initial Effects


T-6:30 PM (approximate): I took a moment to shift into a more positive mindset, grinding up the five grams of mushrooms before swiftly swallowing them with water.


T-6:40 PM: To my astonishment, I began to feel the effects almost immediately. While I didn’t think I was fully under the influence yet, a strong body high overwhelmed me—an intensity I hadn't anticipated. Until this point, I had believed that such rapid onset was impossible.


T-6:50 PM: The body high escalated to such an extent that it felt like I had been hit by a truck, though luckily without any accompanying pain. After about ten minutes of lying in bed, I closed my eyes and realized that my contact lenses would become the most significant distraction during this trip.


Challenges with Contact Lenses


T-7:00 PM: I managed to remove one contact lens after some initial struggle, but the visual distortions were complicating the process. The exhaustion I felt made lying in bed all the more appealing. In an attempt to remove the second contact, I made a crucial mistake and pushed it deep into the corner of my eye, making retrieval impossible. The distortion of my senses at that moment made it difficult to even ascertain if the contact was still in my eye or if I had scratched it. Every time I attempted to examine my eye, my visual field spiraled into a chaotic mess of distortion, both fascinating and alarming. Despite the discomfort in my eye, I remained in a sufficiently positive mindset to avoid slipping into a negative trip. I had informed my girlfriend about my plans to trip, but she wouldn’t be able to join me for a couple of hours, meaning I would have to navigate the peak of the experience alone.


Setting the Stage for the Peak


T-7:15 PM: I quickly accepted that I wouldn’t be able to rectify the situation with my eye and that it felt alright to keep it closed. I decided to lie down on my bed, preparing myself for the most intense part of the trip's come-up.